Bulletindeliaisonetd`information
Transcription
Bulletindeliaisonetd`information
KURDE INSTITUT DE PARIS Bulletin de liaison et d’information N°309 DECEMBRE 2010 La publication de ce Bulletin bénéficie de subventions du Ministère français des Affaires étrangères (DGCID) et du Fonds d’action et de soutien pour l’intégration et la lutte contre les discriminations (FASILD) ————— Ce bulletin paraît en français et anglais Prix au numéro : France: 6 € — Etranger : 7,5 € Abonnement annuel (12 numéros) France : 60 € — Etranger : 75 € Périodique mensuel Directeur de la publication : Mohamad HASSAN Numéro de la Commission Paritaire : 659 13 A.S. ISBN 0761 1285 INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tél. : 01- 48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01- 48 24 64 66 www.fikp.org E-mail: [email protected] IRAK : FORMATION PAR ÉTAPES D’UN NOUVEAU GOUVERNEMENT ERBIL: UN DISCOURS DU PRÉSIDENT BARZANI ENFLAMME LA PRESSE ARABE PARIS : L’INSTITUT KURDE LANCE SA BIBLIOTHEQUE NUMÉRIQUE EN LIGNE IRAN : EXÉCUTION D’UN PRISONNIER KURDE REPORTÉE, SA FAMILLE ARRÊTÉE SYRIE : RAPPORT SUR LES DEMANDES D’ASILE DES KURDES EN EUROPE CULTURE : « L’HOMME EN PYJAMA BLEU », DE JALAL BARZANJI IRAK : UN NOUVEAU GOUVERNEMENT SE FORME PROGRESSIVEMENT e 21 décembre, les députés irakiens ont enfin approuvé la formation d’un nouveau gouvernement, mené par le Premier Ministre Nouri Al-Maliki, après 9 mois de négociations entre les différents blocs parlementaires issus des élections du 7 mars 2009, qui avaient amené au coude à coude chiites et sunnites. L Le nouveau cabinet comprendra 42 ministères dont 29 sont pour le moment pourvus et a dû composer avec tous les mouvements politiques irakiens pour maintenir une coalition viable, ce qu’a reconnu lui-même Nouri AlMaliki : « La tâche la plus difficile au monde est de former un gouvernement d’union nationale dans un pays où il y a une telle diversité ethnique, religieuse et politique. » Ainsi le nouveau gouvernement comprend des représentants de toutes les factions politiques parmi les chiites, les sunnites (dont la liste rivale de Maliki, Al Iraqiyya) et les Kurdes. Parmi les 13 postes non encore pourvus définitivement, la Défense, la Sécurité intérieure et extérieure, et le contrôles des forces irakiennes, seront attribués prochainement à des « personnalités indépendantes », c’est-à-dire non soupçonnées d’œuvrer pour le compte de pays voisins ou bien trop hostiles à l’une des factions irakiennes. Ainsi le camp sadriste s’est inquiété de la possible nomination de figures politiques hostiles à leur mouvement. D’autres députés auraient aussi souhaité que la totalité des 42 postes puissent être soumis au vote. En attendant, c ‘est le Premier Ministre qui en assure les fonctions, ce qui ne plaît guère aux parlementaires, comme l’explique le député kurde Mahmoud Othman : « Un accord doit être trouvé concernant tous les postes ayant en charge la sécurité. Pourquoi ceux-ci restent-ils vacants, à la charge du Premier Ministre et ce pour un temps indéterminé ? » Les trois adjoints du Premier • 2 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information Ministre sont le Kurde Roj Nouri Shawis, le sunnite Saleh al Mutlaq et l’ancien ministre du Pétrole, Hussein Al-Sharistani, dont le bilan en matière de gestion des énergies et des hydrocarbures avait été pourtant souvent critiqué par l’opinion irakienne, et dont les rapports avec le gouvernement kurde, cette fois au sujet de la gestion par la Région du Kurdistan de ses propres ressources, ont toujours été plus que tendus. Enfin, ces nominations mécontentent aussi les sadristes (qui détiennent 40 sièges sur 325 au Parlement) qui espéraient ce poste pour un des leurs, bien qu’ils aient obtenu 8 des 10 autres ministères qu’ils réclamaient. Osama Al-Nujaifi, 54 ans, sunnite, devient président du Parlement. Avec son frère, le gouverneur de Ninive-Mossoul, il est l’un des principaux leaders sunnites du nord de l’Irak, connu pour sa ligne nationaliste et son opposition aux Kurdes. Les 3 Vice-Premier Ministres : – Saleh Al-Mutlaq, 64 ans, sunnite. Proche des anciens du Baath il avait été interdit de se porter candidat aux dernières élections, mais a finalement été réintégré dans la vie politique irakienne lors des accords finaux. Composition provisoire du gouvernement irakien : – Roj Nouri Shawiss, 64 ans, Kurde, issu du PDK, ancien Premier Ministre du Kurdistan ; il a exercé la vice-présidence de l’Irak sous le gouvernement Jaffari et ce poste de vice premier ministre entre 2005 et 2009. Il assure aussi, provisoirement, les fonctions de ministre du Commerce. Jalal Tabalani, 77 ans, une des figures majeures de la politique kurde, est reconduit à la présidence de l’Irak. – Vice-premier ministre pour l’Énergie : Husseïn AlSharistani, 69 ans, chiite, ancien ministre du Pétrole. a question du référendum sur le sort de Kirkouk et d’autres territoires disputés continue d’éroder la confiance de la population dans le gouvernement central irakien. D’autant que l’une des étapes préparatoires à la tenue du référendum, le recensement de la population, vient d’être à nouveau reportée. irakienne, ce qui a satisfait les partis arabes et turkmène de Kirkouk qui craignent de voir ainsi entérinée la domination démographique des Kurdes dans cette province. Nouri Al-Maliki, 60 ans, chiite, est reconduit dans ses fonctions de Premier Ministre qu’il occupe depuis 2006. n° 309 • décembre 2010 Ali Al-Dabbagh reste porteparole du gouvernement, Pour les principaux ministères, la Défense, la Sécurité nationale et l’Intérieur sont provisoirement gérés par le Premier Ministre. Aux Finances, est nommé Raffi Al-Issawi, un sunnite de la liste al-Iraqiyya. Aux Affaires Étrangères, le Kurde Hosyar Zebarî (du PDK) est reconduit à son portefeuille et assure en intérim le ministère des Affaires féminines. Le nouveau ministre du Pétrole est le chiite Abdul Karim Luabi, de la liste État de droit. Pour les autres postes, Dindar Nejman, de l’Union islamique du Kurdistan, prend la tête du ministère de l’Immigration et des personnes déplacées. Majid Mohammed Amin, issu de l’UPK, devient ministre de la Santé. Le ministère des ONG doit revenir à un candidat de l’Alliance kurde. Au Conseil national des stratégies politiques, nouvelle institution formée pour intégrer à la tête de l’Irak le rival d’Al-Maliki, Iyad Allawi assure la présidence. ERBIL: UN DISCOURS DU PRÉSIDENT BARZANI ENFLAMME LA PRESSE ARABE L Initialement prévu pour le 5 décembre 2010, le Conseil des ministres a décidé en effet, le 30 novembre, de repousser le recensement général de la population Ces mouvements opposés au rattachement accusent en effet les Kurdes d’avoir artificiellement gonflé leur population, que ce soit en falsifiant les registres électoraux, en installant en masse des réfugiés ou en expropriant des Arabes et des Turkmènes. Mais Turhan Al-Mufti, qui représente les Turkmènes au Conseil provincial, affirme ne pas contes- ter le principe même du recensement, mais souhaite en faire, curieusement, un outil de « consensus » visant à satisfaire toutes les communautés dans une perspective égalitaire, ce qui sera sans doute, mathématiquement difficile à réaliser : “Nous, les Turkmènes avons combattu ces cinq derniers mois pour retarder le recensement, afin qu’il soit mené de façon plus correcte, de sorte qu’il réponde aux demandes de chacun. » Le 14 décembre, un comité spécialement formé pour mettre en n° 309 • décembre 2010 place le recensement à Kirkouk a tenu sa première réunion, à laquelle assistaient le gouverneur de Kirkouk, le président du Conseil provincial, le directeur du Bureau de recensement, le Bureau de l’Éducation de la ville, le commandant militaire de la 12 ème division, le commandant de la 1ère Brigade des gardes de Kirkouk, des représentants du Bureau de la reconstruction ainsi que des responsables des forces armées américaines. Des députés de l’Alliance du Kurdistan, étaient présents mais aucun représentants des partis arabes et turkmène. Les débats ont porté sur les mesures de sécurité et l’organisation du recensement, assuré par le Bureau de recensement de Kirkouk. Les fonctionnaires chargés du recensement ont exprimé une volonté optimiste de mener à bien leur tâche. Adnan Baba, directeur du Comité, a déclaré au journal Aswat al Iraq être prêt pour cela, une fois que ses cadres auront achevé une formation spéciale dans ce domaine. Najmaddin Karim, député au parlement irakien pour la liste de l’Alliance du Kurdistan, a accordé un entretien au même journal, dans lequel il indique que des préparatifs techniques et portant sur la sécurité ont été mis en place dans la province, en soulignant que ce recensement n’était pas une « demande kurde », mais qu’il allait servir les intérêts de tous les Irakiens. Commentant l’absence à cette réunion de la liste Al-Iraqiyya, le député kurde a indiqué que cette absence ne pouvait affecter le travail des réunions, mais qu’il espérait que les élus arabes assisteraient aux prochains débats, « puisque ni les Arabes ni les Turkmènes ne soutiennent le boycott du recensement. » Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 3 • Pour sa part, une autre députée kurde, Aala Talabani, a souligné que « la formation d’un comité spécial pour le recensement avait été en partie décidée en réponse aux demandes des Arabes et des Turkmènes. C’est pourquoi l’absence de nos collègues d’AlIraqiyya n’est pas une attitude très normale. Les blocs arabes et turkmènes, d’après leurs propres déclarations, ont souhaité participer au processus de recensement, mais les députés d’AlIraqiyya, qui représentent les Arabes et les Turkmènes de Kirkouk, n’ont pas assisté à la réunion, bien qu’ils eussent dû le faire. Ils représentent en effet non pas leurs propres personnes mais leur liste parlementaire, surtout qu’il y a eu un accord avec cette liste et le comité du recensement. » Un député d’al-Iraqiya, Umar alJibouri, a justifié cette absence par un ‘déséquilibre’ des représentants de chaque ethnie de Kirkouk dans le Comité, même si les députés arabes et turkmènes de Kirkouk membres d’alIraqiyya avaient auparavant été informés de la façon dont le comité de recensement se formerait, par une ordonnance du ministère de la Planification : 3 députés de l’Alliance kurde, 2 députés arabes et un Turkmène. Dans le même temps, le 10 décembre, se tenait le Congrès général du Parti démocratique du Kurdistan, dirigé par Massoud Barzani. Devant 1300 membres et un large panel d’invités, dont le prédisent irakien Jalal Talabani, le Premier Ministre Nouri Al-Maliki, le président du Parlement d’Irak, Osama Al-Nujaifi et le Président du Conseil de Sécurité, Iyad Allawi, un e délégation officielle turque dirigée par Abdulkader Aksu, l’un des adjoints du Premier Ministre Erdogan, le président du Kurdisan a rappelé le droit à l’autodétermination des Kurdes au cas où leurs demandes resteraient ignorées de la capitale, notamment le référendum des régions revendiquées par les Kurdes, réaffirmant que l’identité kurde de Kirkouk n’était pas « matière à marchandage ». Massoud Barzani a par ailleurs réaffirmé que le gouvernement de Kirkouk ne pouvait être unilatéral et que toutes les communautés devaient y être représentées. Ce rappel solennel, traduisant le sentiment général des congressistes, a été largement applaudi, et aucun des invités arabes et turcs n’y a réagi, alors que les media arabes y ont donné un large retentissement. Bien que l’évocation du droit à l’autodétermination des Kurdes ne soit pas une nouveauté dans la bouche de Massoud Barzani, et bien que les officiels irakiens présents au meeting n’aient pas semblé en prendre ombrage, ces simples mots ont en effet enflammé la presse arabe, et des mouvements politiques irakiens, qui y ont vu la menace brandie d’une future « indépendance ». « Le droit à l’autodétermination concerne les peuples vivant sous occupation, et ce n’est pas le cas du Kurdistan, qui a un statut spécial en Irak », a protesté un député de la liste Iraqiyy, Alia Nusayaf. « Je me demande donc si les Kurdes ont demandé le fédéralisme avant tout pour se séparer ensuite de l’Irak. C’est une honte que parmi tous les politiques présents aucun ne se soit levé pour protester. » Même son de cloche chiite, surtout parmi les partisans du mouvement sadriste. Ainsi, Jawad alHasnawi, un député de la liste chiite, considère qu’une telle déclaration ne peut qu’attiser les tensions : « Je pense qu’un Irak qui s’étend de Zakho (ville kurde • 4 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information à la frontière nord) à Basra est bien mieux qu’un Irak divisé. » Mais le Premier Ministre du Kurdistan, Barham Salih, a rappelé que Massoud Barzani n’avait fait qu’exprimer le sentiment général des Kurdes, en rappelant que cela ne signifiait pas forcément une déclaration d’indépendance : « Il y a, parmi les Kurdes, un consensus sur le fait que leur droit à l’autodétermination est légal, légitime. Quand nous avons appuyé un Irak fédéral, nous avons dit que c’était une forme d’autodétermination et nous n’avons jamais renoncé à ce droit. » Deux jours après le congrès, le neveu de Massoud Barzani, l’ancien Premier ministre Nêçirvan Barzani, a expliqué que le « droit à l’auto- détermination » ne signifiait pas que les Kurdes avaient, pour le moment, la volonté de se séparer de l’Irak. « Les Kurdes ont le droit à l’autodétermination, mais nous avons décidé de rester dans un Irak uni. La déclaration du président Barzani a été mal comprise. Si nous avions opté pour l’indépendance, nous l’aurions annoncé, mais nous n’avons rien décidé de tel. Nous voulons rester dans un Irak uni et fédéral (…) L’auto-détermination est un droit naturel du peuple kurde, mais avec ce que nous avons obtenu en 2003 dans le nouvel Irak a fait que nous avons décidé de rester dans un Irak fédéral. » Quelques jours plus tard, Massoud Barzani est revenu luimême sur ses déclarations, mais sans reculer d’un pouce sur ce qu’il répète depuis le début de sa n° 309 • décembre 2010 présidence : le maintien de la Région kurde au sein de l’Irak dépend du respect par le gouvernement central de sa constitution et que les Kurdes « resteraient dans un Irak fédéral, mais pas dans une dictature. « Des gens ont dit : les Kurdes veulent leur indépendance, laissons-les donc partir pour de bon. Mais nous répondons ceci : L’Irak est à nous, c’est notre pays. Mon message à nos frères arabes, sunnites ou chiites, à nos amis et alliés, est le suivant : Nous nous sommes engagés envers un Irak fédéral et démocratique, envers sa constitution. Mais nous ne sommes pas prêts à rester dans un Irak dominé par le chauvinisme. Les Kurdes sont une nation et par conséquent ont le droit à l’autodétermination. Le parlement kurde a décidé de rester, mais à une condition : l’Irak doit être un État fédéral. » PARIS : L’INSTITUT KURDE LANCE SA BIBLIOTHEQUE NUMÉRIQUE EN LIGNE e 10 décembre, l’Institut kurde de Paris a mis en ligne sa bibliothèque numérique, sur son site. La bibliothèque numérique est constituée d'écrits sur les Kurdes et le Kurdistan. Elle a pour but de mettre le patrimoine culturel kurde en données numérisées. L La bibliothèque est conçue comme une collection patrimoniale et encyclopédique, la bibliothèque numérique offre au lecteur des données consultables par tous publics. Un large champ chronologique peut couvrir la plupart des domaines : sciences et histoire des sciences, économie, droit, politique, philosophie, littérature et récits de voyages, histoire et ethnologie. Le lecteur, du simple curieux à l'étudiant et au cher- cheur, pourra y trouver dans des éditions d'époque, des textes de référence, périodiques rares, ... jusqu'alors difficiles d'accès. Le site est interrogeable par des accès bibliographiques indexés ; la bibliothèque numérique offre aussi la possibilité de recherches en texte intégral sur les tables des matières des livres et des périodiques. La chronologie thématique donnera une vue d'ensemble de cette bibliothèque numérique et offre au lecteur une autre voie d'accès aux collections. Une présentation générale des fonds comportant aussi des liens hypertexte ajoutera un autre mode de navigation, notamment pour les non-spécialistes. Les collections de textes numérisés sont majoritairement choisies parmi les textes appartenant au domaine public. Elles forment une bibliothèque encyclopédique de sciences humaines et sociales comportant des textes originaux, des éditions critiques, des ouvrages de référence et des séries de périodiques importants pour la recherche ou difficilement accessibles. Les contenus accessibles sur le site www.bnk.institutkurde.org sont pour la plupart des reproductions numériques d'œuvres tombées dans le domaine public provenant des collections de la BnK ou pour certaines des bibliothèques numériques libres d’accès. Initialement, le projet se limitait à la numérisation des œuvres les plus importantes de la bibliothèque de l’Institut. Mais après une vaste consultation des usagers il a été convenu d’étendre n° 309 • décembre 2010 substantiellement le projet aux 12.000 œuvres en 25 langues et aux milliers de documents de la bibliothèque de l’Institut kurde de Paris. Le projet ainsi actualisé était planifié sur 3 ans de réalisation. Malgré les difficultés techniques rencontrées et la réduction du nombre de bénévoles, un travail important a été réalisé en 2002 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 5 • sur le projet de bibliothèque numérique. La base de données de la Bibliothèque Numérique est créée en MySql. La création de cette base est terminée et elle peut donc recevoir les monographies. Un travail important de numérisation avait été réalisé: tous les bulletins mensuels d’information publiés depuis juillet 1983 à octobre 2010 par l’Institut kurde étaient numéri- sés. Actuellement, ces bulletins représentent plus de 300 numéros, soit environ 50.000 pages au total. Les publications numérisées sont réparties en 15 thèmes : Art, dictionnaires, économie, généralités, histoire, linguistique, littérature, mémoires, musique, philosophie, poésie, politique, religion, sociologie, thèses. IRAN : L’EXÉCUTION D’UN PRISONNIER KURDE REPORTÉE, SA FAMILLE ARRÊTÉE ’exécution d’un étudiant kurde iranien, Habibollah Latifi, qui devait avoir lieu le 26 décembre, a été reportée, après une campagne d’ONG et de journaux kurdes pour réclamer que son procès soit révisé. Peut-être, de façon plus décisive, l’intervention du président de l’Irak, le kurde Jalal Talabani, pour demander sa grâce, a-t-elle été prise en compte par le gouvernement iranien, selon le journal kurde Awene. L Mais le fait que l’exécution soit reportée ne signifie pas que le prisonnier ne puisse être exécuté ultérieurement. Habibollah Latifi a été condamné en tant que ‘moharebeh’, ennemi de Dieu, ce qui entraîne automatiquement la peine de mort, par la Cour révolutionnaire de Sanandaj (capitale de la province du Kurdistan en Iran) pour appartenance au PJAK (branche iranienne du PKK). Le 25 décembre, plus de 200 personnes, militants de partis politiques, membres d’association, journalistes, avaient manifesté dans la ville kurde de Sulaïmanieh pour protester contre l’application de la sentence. À Paris, très tôt le 26, une vingtaine de personnes se sont rassemblées devant l’ambassade iranienne, certains s’enchaînant devant les grilles. Amnesty International et Human Rights Watch avaient appelé les autorités iraniennes à commuer la peine de mort en prison à perpétuité. Le directeur du département d’Amnesty International pour le Moyen-Orient, Malcolm Smart, a mis en doute la régularité du procès, ainsi que Joe Stork, adjoint à la direction MoyenOrient de Human Rights Watch : « Il est clair que Habibolah Latifi n’a pas eu un procès régulier selon les critères internationaux. Les circonstances entourant l’arrestation de Latifi, sa détention et sa condamnation suggèrent fortement que les autorités iraniennes ont violé ses droits fondamentaux. Habibollah Latifi est actuellement détenu à la prison de Sanandadj. Plusieurs sources indiquent qu’il souffre d’infection intestinale, de problèmes cardiaques et d’insuffisance rénale. Habibollah Latifi a été arrêté le 23 Octobre 2007 et amené à la prison de Sanandadj. Les rumeurs de sa prochaine exécution courent depuis le 7 juin dernier. Sa famille a plusieurs fois demandé sa grâce, mais en vain. Le 27 décembre, des forces de sécurité iraniennes ont même opéré un raid à leur domicile, confisquant quatre ordinateurs et plusieurs documents. Ils ont aussi arrêté trois des sœurs du condamné, trois de ses frères, son père et sa belle-sœur. La plus jeune de ses sœurs, âgée de 10 ans, a, quant à elle, reçu du gaz poivre et perdu conscience plusieurs heures. Elle n’a depuis aucune nouvelle des membres de sa famille emmenés dans un lieu de détention inconnu. D’autres informations indiquent que des personnes ayant soutenu la famille dans leurs démarches pour sauver Habibollah Latifi ont aussi été arrêtées, dont des journalistes et des militants. Une liste provisoire de noms circule : Abbas Latifi (père de l’accusé), Iraj Latifi (frère de l’accusé), Eqbal Latifi (frère de l’accusé), Shahin Latifi (sœur de l’accusé), Elahe Latifi (sœur de l’accusé), Bahar Latifi (sœur de l’accusé), Jiyan Matapour (belle-sœur de l’accusé), Simin Chaichi (poète et écrivain), Hamid Malek Alkilany (militant pour la défense de l’environnement), Saeed Saadi (journaliste), Mahmoud Mahmoudi (journaliste), Jiyan Zafari (ancien prisonnier politique), Wahid Majidy (ancien prisonnier politique), Zahid Moradian (militant), Hashem Rostami (militant), and Pedram Nasrolahi (militant). On signale aussi la disparition d’un étudiant militant, Mokhtar Zarei. Cette vague d’arrestations pourrait être une nouvelle tactique de • 6 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information la part des autorités iraniennes, visant à intimider l’entourage des condamnés afin d’empêcher les campagnes internationales pour les sauver et les informations d’être diffusées hors d’Iran. C’est en tout cas l’avis de Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, porte-parole d’Iran Human Rights : « Nous ne devons pas oublier que l’exécution de M. Latifi n’a été que reportée et nous ne savons pas pour combien de temps. Il est possible que les membres de sa famille aient été arrêtés afin de les faire taire quand les autorités vont procéder à l’exécution. » Mais ces arrestations n’ont pas empêché d’autres manifestants de se rassembler devant le tribunal et la prison de Sanandadj, en demandant des nouvelles des personnes détenues. En réponse, les forces de sécurité ont cerné la n° 309 • décembre 2010 ville, tandis que les communications par téléphone et Internet étaient très ralenties. De nombreux prisonniers kurdes attendent ainsi dans les couloirs de la mort, en Iran. Douze d’entre eux sont condamnés pour appartenance au PJAK. En novembre 2009, l’exécution d’un autre activiste kurde, Shirkouh Moarefi, a été annoncée, puis reportée. SYRIE : RAPPORT SUR LES DEMANDES D’ASILE DES KURDES EN EUROPE he Institute of Race Relations basé à Londres a récemment publié un rapport sur les populations refoulées de l’Union européenne. Parmi elles, le nombre des Kurdes de Syrie ne cesse de s’accroître, bien que beaucoup d’entre eux aient été forcés de fuir ce pays en raison de leurs activités politiques. T Les Kurdes de Syrie ont défrayé la chronique dès le début de l’année 2010, avec l’arrivée sur les plages corses d’une centaine d’immigrés clandestins, dont la majeure partie était kurde. Cette même année s’est conclue tragiquement sur le suicide d’un autre Kurde de Syrie, dont la demande d’asile avait été déboutée par le Damemark. Mais entre ces deux événements médiatisés, il y a eu bon nombre de grèves de la faim, des jugements, des arrestations et des expulsions qui n’ont pas fait les gros titres des journaux. La Convention européenne des droits de l’homme (ECHR) s’engage pourtant à protéger toute personne risquant, dans son pays, d’être soumise à la torture ou à des traitements inhumains ou dégradants. La Convention considère même que l’accusation ou les preuves de terrorisme pesant sur un demandeur ne justifie pas son expulsion si cela lui fait encourir le risque de mauvais traitements. Malgré cela, les Kurdes de Syrie, ressortissants d’un pays régulièrement montré du doigt pour ses violations des droits de l’homme, et dont la lutte politique reste pacifique, sont régulièrement la cible d’arrestations et d’expulsion sans que leur situation soit prise en compte, accusent de nombreuses ONG. Or, Jawad Mella, président de la Western Kurdistan Association de Londres, rappelle qu’une personne ayant demandé l’asile et ayant, par ailleurs, milité pour les droits des Kurdes, sera fatalement condamnée, à son retour en Syrie, à un nombre d’années ‘illimité’ de prison. Le rapport de l’ Institute of Race Relations (IRR) passe en revue plusieurs pays membres de l’UE où des Kurdes de Syrie ont déposé une demande d’asile. En France, le 22 janvier 2010, un navire a débarqué en Corse, à Bonifacio, avec 123 passagers, la plupart des Kurdes de Syrie : il y avait en tout 57 hommes, 29 femmes dont 5 étaient enceintes et 38 enfants. Ils ont été emmenés par les autorités françaises dans 5 centres de rétention dispersés dans tout le pays : Marseille, Lyon, Rennes, Nîmes and Toulouse. Le 26 janvier, les juges saisis des dossiers ont déclaré l’un après l’autre que la détention des réfugiés était illégale et ordonné qu’ils soient relâchés afin qu’ils puissent déposer leur demande d’asile. La plupart d’entre eux ont très vite quitté la France pour l’Angleterre, ce qui a entraîné une certaine protestation de la part de politiques anglais, accusant la France de se débarrasser une fois de plus de ses clandestins en les laissant gagner la Grande-Bretagne. En Norvège, le 19 août 2010, Abdulkarim Hussein, un Kurde syrien originaire d’Alep, né en 1959, a été expulsé de force vers la Syrie. Il avait demandé l’asile politique en 2006. Jan Erik Skretteberg, de l’association SOS Rasisme en Norvège, avait alors déclaré qu’Abdulkarim Hussein était en danger de mort, ayant à la fois travaillé pour SOS Rasisme et étant aussi le vice-président de l’Association des Kurdes de Syrie en Norvège, en plus d’avoir milité activement pour les droits de l’homme dans son pays et d’y avoir déjà été arrêté et torturé. n° 309 • décembre 2010 De fait, dès son arrivée à Damas, Abdelkarim Hussein a été arrêté par les autorités syriennes et transferé à la prison Al Fayha Prison, contrôlée par une des branches de la Sécurité syrienne. Là, il a été placé en isolement, menacé, battu, a eu les testicules écrasées. Le 2 septembre, Abdelkarim Hussein a été relâché sans qu’aucune accusation n’ait été portée contre lui. Moins d’une semaine plus tard, il a pu fuir la Syrie en passant en Turquie et le 8 septembre, a demandé une protection internationale auprès du Haut Commissariat aux Réfugiés. Plusieurs personnes en Norvège réclament actuellement que ce pays lui accorde enfin l’asile. À la mi-mai 2010, la communauté kurde a mené à Chypre une campagne de protestation, en observant une grève de la faim et en dressant des tentes autour du ministère de l’Intérieur, afin d’attirer l’attention sur la situation des Kurdes en Syrie et d’obtenir l’asile politique pour les réfugiés. Au bout de 4 semaines, la police chypriote a opéré un raid sur le campement, a arrêté les manifestants et en a placés 149 en centres de détention. Sur 42 mineurs, seulement un peu plus d’une dizaine ont été relâchés avec leurs familles. 82 Kurdes étaient en séjour illégal dans l’île, après le rejet de leur demande d’asile et tombaient sous le coup d’une extradition, ce qui se produisit le 11 juin pour 37 d’entre eux. L’Organisation kurde de défense des droits de l’homme et des libertés publiques en Syrie (DAD), a rapporté en octobre dernier que les services de sécurité syriens avaient arrêté 3 de ces Kurdes renvoyés en Syrie : Rakan Elias Junbuli (arrêté 5 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 7 • mois après son retour), Mohammed Sheffa Junbuli (arrêté un mois après son retour), Hassan Elias Junbuli (arrêté une semaine après son retour). Hassan Junbuli était, en octobre, toujours détenu par les services syriens, Mohammed et Rakan Junbuli étaient détenus à la prison centrale de Hassaké. Même quand ils retournent volontairement en Syrie, ces Kurdes encourant des poursuites judiciaires. Ainsi, Faiz Adnan Osman et sa femme, revenus de leur plein gré de Chypre en août dernier, ont été arrêtés tous les deux à leur retour à Damas. Adla Osman fut rapidement libérée mais son mari était toujours en détention en novembre 2010. Les services syriens l’accusent d’avoir participé aux manifestations de Nicosie. Plusieurs informateurs indiquent que Faiz Adnan aurait été torturé. Le 4 décembre 2010, la Direction de la Sécurité politique de Hassaké a arrêté Ciwan Yusuf Muhammad (né en 1982). Ciwan Muhammad avait été extradé de Chypre en juin 2010, avec 26 autres Kurdes. Il avait dû remettre son passeport aux autorités de l’aéroport de Damas. Il est depuis son arrestation interrogé par différents services. Au Danemark, 28 Kurdes ont entamé une grève de la faim le 14 septembre 2010, devant le Parlement. L’un d’eux a déclaré à la presse : « Si vous aviez été dans une prison syrienne, vous feriez tout ce qui est possible pour ne plus jamais y retourner. » Au bout de trois semaines il a été mis fin à la grève, à la fois pour des raisons de santé, plusieurs des grévistes ayant dû être hospitalisés, mais aussi parce que les forces de sécurité syriennes ont commencé à harceler et menacer leurs familles restés sur place, d’après un reportage de la chaîne kurde Roj TV. Le 22 septembre 2010, Adnan Ibrahim a été expulsé en Syrie après avoir passé 18 mois au Danemark où vivent les deuxtiers de sa famille. La sœur d’Ibrahim, Golzar, a indiqué n’avoir plus de nouvelles de son frère depuis qu’il a été remis par la police danoise à la police syrienne de l’aéroport de Damas. Le 15 novembre 2010, Abid Mohammed Atto, né en 1982, a été expulsé, bien qu’un groupe de militants danois ait tenté d’empêcher son embarquement à l’aéroport. Né en 1982, c’est un Kurde ‘sans-papier’ de Dêrik. Il a été mis en détention dès son arrivée en Syrie par une section des services de sécurité. Il avait fui ce pays en août 2009. Enfin, un des cas les plus tragiques est celui de ce Kurde de 26 ans, Ramazan Hajji Ibrahim, qui s’est suicidé au centre des demandeurs d’asile d’Auderød. Son entourage affirme qu’il craignait ce qui l’attendait en Syrie après que sa demande d’asile avait été rejetée. Paradoxalement, ce Kurde n’était extradable que de son vivant, et sa famille n’a pu récupérer le corps : le rapatriement, assuré par des organisations kurdes, a été refusé par les autorités syriennes, le défunt étant officiellement apatride ! Il a donc été inhumé à Copenhague, le 18 décembre et c’est l’Association culturelle kurde qui s’est chargé des funérailles. En Suisse, Sarbast Kori a entamé le 22 novembre une grève de la faim dans la prison de Thum, où il était détenu, pour protester contre sa prochaine extradition. Il a été hospitalisé dix jours après, à Berne, après avoir perdu conscience. Il souffre aussi de traumatismes psychologiques, • 8 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 309 • décembre 2010 en partie dus à sa peur de retourner en Syrie. En Allemagne, le 3 avril 2010, Anwar Daqouri, demandeur d’asile, a été arrêté par la police allemande et transféré en centre d’expulsion, devant être extradé dans un délai de trois mois. Farouk Al-Issa, un autre Kurde de Syrie, a lui aussi été arrêté en Allemagne le 21 juin 2010 et détenu au centre de Hanovre, en attendant d’être extradé. Réfugié en Allemagne depuis 2004, sa demande d’asile a été rejetée. alal Barzanji, poète et journaliste kurde, doit publier prochainement la traduction anglaise du récit de son emprisonnement dans les geôles de Saddam Husseïn, sous le titre The Man in Blue Pyjama : Prison Memoirs in The Form of A Novel. Écrire fait partie de ma vie et de ma spiritualité. » En 1996, lors du retour très provisoire des forces de Saddam au Kurdistan, il fuit en Turquie avec sa famille et demande un statut de réfugié auprès du HautCommissariat aux réfugiés de l’ONU. Il parvint à émigrer au Canada en 1998 et s’installe dans la ville d’Edmonton. Là, il aide à fonder l’Association des amitiés kurdo-canadiennes et la Société d’entraide aux immigrés d’Edmonton. CULTURE : SORTIE PROCHAINE D’UN LIVRE DE JALAL BARZANJI J Une première version écrite en kurde en 2007 a été révisée, remaniée et traduite et paraîtra en avril 201, publié par l’Université of Alberta Press (Canada). « C’est le récit d’une partie de ma vie que j’ai gardé des années dans mon cœur et ma mémoire, Il m’a été un peu dur de revenir à ces souvenirs, car ce sont de mauvais souvenirs. D’un autre côté, je veux mettre ces souvenirs par écrit, je veux partager ce qui arrive aux gens, aux écrivains quand ils écrivent sur la paix, la beauté et le désir humain. Je veux raconter mon histoire, sans porter de jugement. Seulement la vérité que raconte mon cœur. Deuxièmement, je veux montrer le pouvoir des mots et comment, quand j’étais en prison, ils m’ont donné la force de résister. »» C’est ainsi que l’auteur résume les trois années passées en prison, de 1986 à 1989, pour ses activités littéraires et journalistiques sous le régime de Saddam. Ni la torture ni la privation de liberté ne lui feront d’ailleurs renoncer à écrire et durant trois ans, il va rédiger clandestinement des textes sur du papier passé en fraude. « Si je n’avais pas écrit, j’aurais eu un sentiment de perte. Son emprisonnement n’avait pas surpris Jalal Barzanji, qui s’attendait même à être exécuté : « Le régime était contre la liberté et je réclamais la liberté. Je n’étais pas un adepte de l’idéologie et de la mentalité du régime. Mon fardeau était double : J’étais un écrivain moderne et un Kurde …Je vivais dans la peur car je savais faire quelque chose de dangereux, en parlant de paix, de démocratie, de liberté. » Un soir de 1986, un groupe de militaires a enfoncé la porte de son domicile et l’a emmené en pyjama, yeux bandés et menotté. Il est resté au secret, dans une petite cellule, durant un temps indéterminé. Il a ensuite été transféré dans une cellule plus grande, partagée avec 15 autres prisonniers. Avec la complicité d’un gardien de la prison, qui lui fournissait clandestinement des morceaux de papiers et un crayon, Jalal Barzanji a continué d’écrire, cette fois des lettres à sa femme, où il raconte en détail sa vie de prisonnier, ainsi que celle des autres. Barzanji fut gracié au bout de trois ans et relâché, à l’occasion des célébrations de l’anniversaire de Saddam. Tout en restant surveillé, vivant dans la peur, il continue d’écrire. En 1991, après le soulèvement du Kurdistan et le retrait des forces baathistes, on lui demande d’être le rédacteur en chef d’une revue kurde. En 2007 Barzanji est retenu pour bénéficier d’un fonds alloué par le PEN club du Canada pour soutenir des écrivains en exil ayant fui les persécutions dans leur pays. Cela lui permet de relancer sa carrière d’auteur, cette fois au Canada, et d’achever la première version de The Man in the Blue Pyjamas. Jalal Barzanji est né dans un petit village en 1953, où, en raison de son éloignement, il n’y avait pas d’école, jusqu’en 1960. L’auteur le décrit cependant comme un lieu paisible au milieu de belles montagnes » et dit que c’est là qu’il a appris la « simplicité et la beauté de la vie », et aussi en écoutant les histoires que les villageois racontaient au coin du feu l’hiver ou sur les toits des maisons l’été. C’est en écoutant qu’il a commencé de rêver à des choses qu’il n’avait jamais vues. Mais cela prit fin quand, une nuit, les forces irakiennes bombardèrent le village et forcèrent ses habitants à fuir. Sa famille émigra à Erbil où, dit-il, c’est là qu’il vit des voitures pour la première fois de sa vie. n° 309 • décembre 2010 À l’université, il lut les auteurs étrangers qui lui donnèrent l’envie d’écrire à son tour. En 1979, il publie son premier recueil de poèmes, Chute de neige au crépuscule. Quant à son Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 9 • deuxième recueil de poésie, Sans chaleur, paru en 1985, il le mena tout droit en prison. Ses autres publications, toutes parues au Kurdistan d’Irak, sont Guerre (1996); Pluie bénie (2002, Kurdish Ministry of Culture); Mémoires sous le vent (2006) et Retour au lieu de ma naissance (2007). Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti J&JiÎQlUte r décembre 2010 L'Iran et les Arabes : Yéclairage de WikiLeaks et l'Iran majoritairement chiite. Cela était connu, bien sûr. n savait les régimes arabes inquiets à la perspective Mais cette réalité est cette fois de voir l'Iran se doter de de la situation créée par le prési¬ dent Bush en Irak et observe : Or le renversement de Sad¬ «Alors que dans le passé les Etats- révélée et commentée de la bou¬ dam Hussein provoque un boule¬ l'arme atomique. On ne les savait che même des intéressés, cités versement majeur dans la Unis, l'Arabie Saoudite et Saddam pas terrorisés à ce point par la dans les télégrammes des diplo¬ région. L'Irak est le seul grand Hussein s'entendaient sur la République islamique et, jour et mates américains en poste dans pays arabe où les sunnites sont nécessité de contenir l'Iran, la poli¬ nuit, obsédés par la marche au la région. minoritaires. Avec les chrétiens, tique américaine a donné l'Irak à nucléaire entreprise par cette der¬ ils formaient l'ossature du régi¬ l'Iran comme un cadeau sur un plateau d'argent. » nière. C'est, parmi bien d'autres, me de Saddam Hussein. Et celui- l'un des points les plus passionr ci - dictature monstrueuse, par nants que livre la lecture des docu¬ ailleurs - était l'un des maillons aux régimes arabes est telle que forts du front anti-iranien. ceux-ci sont, quasi unanimes, les En toile de fond des analyses ments rendus publics depuis le La terreur que Téhéran inspire premiers à presser les Etats-Unis 28 novembre par le site WikiLeaks talentueuses dès femmes et des et cinq journaux internationaux, hommes du département d'Etat, tes, qui prennent le pouvoir à; d'user de tous les moyens, y com¬ dont Le Monde. il y a la situation créée par la Bagdad - c'est-à-dire des forma¬ pris la force, pour arrêter le pro¬ guerre américaine en Irak. En ren¬ tions sous influence directe de gramme nucléaire iranien. jamais cette ligne de fracture stra¬ versant en avril 2003 la dictature Téhéran. La ligne de défense ara¬ tégique qui traverse le Moyen- de Saddam Hussein, George be anti-iranienne est ébranlée ; la Orient : d'un côté, l'Iran perçu W. Bush brise le front arabe qui montée en puissance de Téhéran à ce point la virulence des réac¬ comme une puissance montante contenait la menace iranienne. dans la région en est d'autant faci¬ tions arabes et la vigueur de leurs litée... pressions sur Washington. Wiki¬ L'ensemble révèle comme Le vieil antagonisme arabo- et aux visées hégémoniques sur Défait, il cède la place aux chii¬ Nul ne le dit mieux que le roi Jamais jusqu'à présent on n'avait eu l'occasion de' mesurer Leaks et unepartie de la presse la région ; de l'autre, alliance para¬ perse n'est pas seul en cause. Il y doxale, Israël et les gouvernants va aussi de la ligne de fracture Abdallah d'Arabie Saoudite, cité donnent ici au tam-tam de l'ac¬ arabes, désireux de contrer la qui divise l'islam : le monde ara¬ dans un télégramme de décem¬ tualité une orchestration qui per- , République islamique. be est majoritairement sunnite, bre 2005. Il se plaint amèrement met de mieux en saisir le sens. 1" décembre 2010 Iran : un spécialiste du nucléaire tué dans un attentat à la bombe né, Majid Shahriari,.« était chargé en un an, d'un scientifique iranien. d'un des grands projets » de l'Orga¬ En nisation de l'énergie atomique ira¬ autre expert, Massoud Ali Moham- accuse le « régime sioniste » et les Occidentaux qu'une moto piégée avait explosé nier a prévenu les «ennemis» de au passage de sa voiture. Le prési¬ l'Iran de ne «pas jouer avec lefeu ». dent du Parlement iranien, Ali Lari- Au moment de l'attentat, M.Sha- jani, avait alors commenté qu'il hriari se rendait à l'université Cha- était «un spécialiste de l'énergie hid Behechti, où il dirigeait le dépar¬ nucléaire». Le programme nucléaire ira- . tement d'ingénierie nucléaire. Le deuxième scientifique, bles¬ Le président iranien, Mahmoud 29 novembre à Téhéran, un Ahmadinejad, a désigné Israël et scientifique iranien spécialiste du d'autres pays occidentaux comme revers. Des problèmes techniques cien spécialiste des lasers. Son nom ont été détectés dans l'usine d'enri¬ figure dans l'ONU imposant une résolution de des sanctions poursuite de ses travaux nucléai¬ res. L'attentat le visant s'est pro¬ duit à proximité de l'université comme « l'un des rares spécialistes sachant séparer des isotopes », un nucléaire a été tué, et un autre légè¬ responsables attaques. procédé au coeur de la fabrication rement blessé. Les deux hommes « Sans le moindre doute, a-t-il décla¬ d'uranium enrichi, qui peut servir de ces nien semble subir une série de sé, est Fereydoun Abassi, un physi¬ News a décrit Fereydoun Abassi be quasi simultanées, lundi un madi, avait trouvé la mort lors¬ gner. L'agence iranienne Mashregh . Dans deux attaques à la bom¬ Téhéran, nienne, a affirmé le directeur de cet: Chahid Behechti, où il devait ensei¬ porter sur le dossier nucléaire. à te structure, Ali Akbar Salehi. Ce der¬ contre l'Iran en 2007 en raison de la Le président iranien, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, janvier 2010, chissement d'uranium de Natanz attribués par plusieurs experts occidentaux à un virus informati¬ que, Stuxnèt, apparu cette année en Iran et dans d'autres pays. Lun¬ di, sans mentionner Stuxnet, le pré¬ sident Ahmadine j ad a reconnu que certains appareils à Natanz avaient connu des «problèmes, crééspar du software installé dans des équipe¬ ments électroniques ». Des morts violentes ou des dis¬ paritions mystérieuses de scientifk circulaient dans des voitures diffé¬ ré, la main du régime sioniste et des pour produire à la fois du combusti¬ ques iraniens se sont déjà produi¬ rentes lorsque des assaillants rou¬ gouvernements ble de centrale nucléaire et de la tes par le passé. En janvier 2007, un lant en moto ont placé des engins impliquée. » matière fissile destinée à une arme spécialiste atomique. que, Ardechir Hosseinpour, avait explosifs sur leur véhicule, avant occidentaux est Le ministre iranien de l'inté¬ de l'électro-magnéti- rieur, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, Mashregh News a par ailleurs été retrouvé mort - empoisonné, Ce double attentat a relancé les a accusé les services secrets améri¬ laissé entendre que M. Abassi était selon plusieurs sources - alors qu'il spéculations sur l'existence d'opé¬ cains et israéliens. « La CIA et leMos- lié aux Gardiens de la révolution. travaillait sur le site iranien de rations clandestines visant à sabor¬ sad sont des ennemis de la nation Pilier du régime, cette organisation conversion der le programme nucléaire de iranienne et ont toujours cherché à est chargée, selon les services de han. l'Iran. Il s'est produit à quelques lui nuire, de même qu'ils veulent renseignement jours d'une rencontre prévue à empêcher volet Genève, le 5 décembre, entre l'Iran ques », a-t-il dit. de les déclencher à distance. et les grandes puissances, devant nos progrès scientifi¬ '''-' ;;,{[/' Le physicien nucléaire-assassi^ occidentaux, militaire du du programme nucléaire iranien. Il s'agit du deuxième assassinat, d'uranium d'Ispa- Natalie Nougayrède Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti rrdécembre 2010 iM Les chrétiens d'Irak, pris en "otages entre chiites et sunnites" Par Vincent Hugeux Le Père Saad Sirap Hanna officie dans une église de Bagdad et voit la communauté chrétienne d'Irak quitter le pays. Le Père l'église Saad Sirap chaldéenne Karrada, quartier Hanna anime Saint-Joseph central de de Bagdad. Avant l'invasion américaine et la chute du régime Hussein, baassiste sa paroisse de Saddam comptait 1200 familles chrétiennes. On en dénombre Le 31 octobre, en pleine messe, un commando terroriste prenait d'assaut la cathé¬ aujourd'hui entre 250 et 300. Ce quadra drale syriaque catholique Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours de Bagdad, tuant 46 lucide sait ce qu'il en coûte d'afficher sa personnes. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen foi. Kidnappé en 2006 par un gang ter¬ roriste, le Père Hanna a vécu près d'un mois sous la menace de ses geôliers; de professeur, il a enseigné la philosophie échéance législative, dans et la théologie aux deux prêtres syria¬ déclenchera ques catholiques assassinés lors du car¬ l'échelon du pouvoir et des élites parti¬ Pourquoi nage de la cathédrale Notre-Dame du sanes, il n'existe pas de réelle intention tent-ils souvent les attaques aux seuls Perpétuel Secours, de faire en sorte que nous restions; l'ab¬ terroristes étrangers? le 31 octobre der¬ nier. La se dégrader. une Deux, la prochaine entre chiites et sunnites" quatre ans, nouvelle crise. A vos compatriotes impu¬ sence de volonté politique est évidente. communauté chrétienne d'Irak risque-t-elle de disparaître? Pour sortir de l'ornière, pour bâtir quel¬ Le que chose ensemble, il faut une vraie d'autres Irakiens demeure inconcevable réconciliation. Oublier le passé, regar¬ pour der enfin l'Autre avec bienveillance. regardons la réalité en face: même si Le danger pèse sur tout le peuple ira¬ fait que des beaucoup Irakiens d'entre massacrent nous. Mais les meneurs ou les cerveaux viennent kien, pas seulement sur les chrétiens, Les chrétiens d'Irak ont-ils la nostal¬ d'Arabie Saoudite, d'Egypte, du Yémen même si ceux-ci sont particulièrement gie de l'ère Saddam Hussein? ou d'ailleurs, ce sont bien des gens d'ici Nous ne sommes pas nostalgiques de mations, les voitures. Nous avons tou¬ notre présence même, à notre travail, à l'époque Saddam. sommes nos¬ jours tendance, nous les Irakiens, à nier notre contribution à la vie de ce pays... talgiques de la sécurité, de l'amitié, de nos responsabilités. Un peu comme des Le premier péril, c'est l'insécurité. Nous la fraternité. De toutes ces valeurs du enfants. vivons passé. visés. Il est vrai que nous recevons tant de menace, dans inquiétante, doute Après nous de que deux messages une sans société aucun l'horizon ans espérions hostiles instable, avenir. s'est mieux qui leur fournissent les plans, les infor¬ Nous Nul assombri. d'accalmie un à Que A vos yeux, qui est derrière les atta¬ relative, ques durable. chrétiens? terroristes dirigées contre Serait-elle irréversible? au paroissien le Je ne sais pas quoi lui répondre. Si je Espoir déçu: depuis le début de l'année, la régression est patente. conseillez-vous déboussolé tenté de quitter le pays? l'invite à rester, suis-je en mesure de Je l'ignore, mais nous tenons tous à le garantir sa sécurité? Non. Quelle res¬ savoir. Pendant des siècles, nous avons ponsabilité que la mienne s'il est blessé vécu pacifiquement au côté des musul¬ ou tué! Si je lui recommande de partir, mans. Pourquoi, comment, sous quelle je influence leur vision du christianisme avec la mère-patrie, les racines. Faute Car ils forment la communauté la plus a-t-elle com¬ de mieux, je dis donc ceci: "Sois fidèle faible, la plus vulnérable du pays. Dès prendre. J'attends de nos frères musul¬ à la parole du Christ. Si tu restes, je suis lors, des mans qu'ils montrent leur désir de nous avec toi. Si tu pars, je prierai pour toi." affrontements entre chiites et sunnites voir rester. Aux imams, aux leaders spi¬ et en payent le prix. Religion, ethnies, rituels d'expliquer à leurs ouailles que Que vous inspire ingérences étrangères: d'autres facteurs non, nous ne sommes pas des infidèles, qui consisterait à créer dans la pro¬ jouent bien sûr, mais recueil numéro 1 des mécréants, que nous sommes aussi vince reste politique. Aujourd'hui, j'ai deux des croyants, d'une foi différente. enclave chrétienne? certitudes. Un, la situation va continuer Les Les chrétiens demeureront des cibles. ils deviennent les otages changé? chrétiens Nous d'Irak, voulons pris en "otages deviens responsable de autonome sa rupture "l'option kurde", du Kurdistan une Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Nous avons besoin de la protection n'est certes pas la solution pour les Adhérez-vous tées chrétiens d'Irak. due à tout citoyen irakien à aux Bagdad critiques par susci¬ l'accueil, en France ou en Italie, de fidèles blessés Toute suggestion est la bienvenue. Dans la région de Karakosh, ances¬ Mais cette idée-là est erronée. Nous ne tral demandons pas la protection de tel lea¬ d'autodéfense der, telle région, tel parti. Nous avons avec besoin Approuvez-vous cette initiative? de citoyen la protection irakien due partout à en tout bastion été constitués des le plus court vers le ghetto. Nous for¬ récuse mons "négative¬ lors du massacre du 31 octobre? groupes autorités. Nos politiciens sont tellement faibles qu'ils accusent Paris ou Rome d'inciter les Irakiens à quitter leur terre. Faux procès. Nous devons remercier ceux Ce communauté ont l'aval des Irak. L'enclave chrétienne, c'est le chemin une chrétien, n'est pas l'idée la bonne selon réponse. laquelle Je chaque qui secourent les blessés. Que nos chefs cessent de masquer leurs faibles¬ communauté devrait former sa propre ses ment" pacifique; effrayée par quicon¬ force nous qu'ils prennent leurs responsabilités et que peut pointer ses armes avons police reconnaissent qu'ils ne font pas assez sur elle. de sécurité. besoin d'une force de de tous, nationale, Us veulent tiens, musulmans, juifs, sabéens, yézi- aussi montrer ainsi qu'ils constituent dites. Toute autre formule ne peut être une que temporaire et risquerait de compli¬ doute cette peur à société les Kurdes leur profit. démocratique, respec¬ tueuse de la liberté religieuse. Ce qui service encore, utilisent-ils Sans au Là chré¬ sous des accusations infondées; pour nous dissuader de partir. quer les choses. est vrai. Pour autant, cette hypothèse Irak: manifestation contre la fermeture de clubs privés servant de l'alcool BAGDAD , 3 décembre 2010 (AFP) La manifestation a été provoquée par la fermeture d'un café près du bâtiment de l'UEl, où écrivains et DES DIZAINES d'écrivains et de poètes ont manifesté vendredi à intellectuels se retrouvaient sou¬ Bagdad contre la fermeture de plusieurs clubs privés servant de l'al¬ vent cool dans la capitale irakienne, dénonçant une répression rappelant pour fumer le narguilé et boire de l'alcool. l'époque de Saddam Hussein. Les autorités de Bagdad assurent "La liberté d'abord", "Bagdad ne sera pas Kandahar", proclamaient les qu'elles banderoles des manifestants près du bâtiment de l'Union des écrivains ne font qu'appliquer depuis l'année dernière un décret irakiens (UEI) dans le centre de la ville. promulgué dans les années 1990, "Nous n'avons pas besoin d'un Etat à la Khomeiny ou d'un Etat taliban en à l'époque de Saddam Hussein, qui interdit aux restaurants et aux hôtels Irak", a déclaré Fadhel Samer, président de l'UEl, en référence à l'Iran et de servir de l'alcool. à l'Afghanistan. L'interdiction ne concerne pas les magasins d'alcool, mais selon la loi "Ce qui est fait aux libertés individuelles dans ce pays ressemble à ce qui irakienne, seuls les chrétiens et les Kurdes peuvent vendre de se passait sous la dictature (...). Cela nous rappelle les pratiques de l'an¬ l'alcool. cien régime", a-t-il ajouté. Un tribunal danois ordonne la levée de la saisie des comptes de Roj TV COPENHAGUE, 6 décembre 2010 (AFP) procès intenté contre la station qui s'ouvrira en août 2011. "La Cour d'appel a rejeté une nouvelle fois la saisie des comptes de Roj LA COUR d'appel de Copenhague a ordonné lundi la levée de la sai¬ TV car elle empêchait la station de diffuser ses programmes au nom de sie de dix comptes bancaires appartenant à la télévision kurde Roj la liberté d'expression, et constituait une violation de l'article 10 de la TV, soupçonnée de soutenir le PPK, le Parti des travailleurs du Convention européenne des droits de l'homme" a souligné à l'AFP l'avo¬ Kurdistan, qui figure sur la liste des organisations terroristes de cat de Roj TV Bjoern Elmquist. l'UE. La levée du gel des comptes de Roj TV "était nécessaire pour qu'elle ne Cette décision confirme un arrêt précédent d'octobre du tribunal de pre¬ mette pas la clé sur la porte, non seulement en raison des sommes mière instance de Copenhague de suspendre le gel des avoirs de Roj TV confisquées, de 327.000 couronnes danoises (43.900 euros), a-t-on appris de source comme cliente à cause de ses démêlés avec la police", judiciaire. En août, le parquet danois avait accusé Roj TV de terrorisme au terme d'une longue enquête commencée en 2005, sur la programmation de la chaîne. mais parce que les banques ne voulaient plus l'avoir selon M. Elmquist. Roj TV, basée à Copenhague, a commencé à diffuser en 2004 depuis la Belgique vers 68 pays en Europe, au Proche et Moyen-Orient, suscitant de violentes protestations d'Ankara. Le procureur du Royaume, Lise-Lotte Nilas, avait déclaré que les émis¬ La Turquie exhorte depuis des années le gouvernement danois de fer¬ sions de Roj TV "avaient un caractère de propagande pour le PKK, et mer cette télévision considérée comme un porte-parole du PKK et les avait en conséquence décidé de confisquer ses avoirs en attendant un Etats-Unis se sont joints plusieurs fois à cet appel, dernièrement en 2009. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti 1 DECEMBER 2010 Letters From Kurdistan Temporary Autonomous Zone Seven years after the American invasion, Iraq's Kurds have weathered an influx of Arabs and Turks and established an enclave of prosperity but with cranes. The Caravan. New signs of prosperity are everywhere. I stayed in a large By GRAEME WOOD housing tract Village (Shahr-e called Italian Itali), so freshly built that most of the IN 2003, Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, felt like a city preparing for a siege. Its residents, nearly all Kurds, were proud of having built a poor but Kurdish Iraq's functioning homeland. northern But border, on the Turkish military stood ready for Ankara to order an inva¬ sion. To the south, across the imaginary line that separa¬ ted Kurdish Iraq from Arab doors and plastic on of the middle which windows film still them. In had the subdivision, consisted of luxurious identical houses, like a suburb outside Miami or Tel Aviv, was a mosque whose dome appea¬ red to have been built to look like the Cathedral of Florence. Just outside Italian Village, I outskirts of Erbil, in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq. found a Dairy Queen fast-food restaurant, talking filled rapidly with on Kurds Bluetooth headsets. Iraq, violence A boy walks past a model home at the American Village on the ced the invisible border separa¬ at exhilarating speeds around a ting Kurdish territory from the closed course. Arab lands to the south. When was simmering, residents were and Erbil's steeling them¬ selves for the moment when it would spill over their own bor¬ ders. In the centre of the city, the magnificent A spokesman for Dairy Queen told me his company had no restaurants in Erbil, and he sus¬ pected very brown much Bruegel's looked ready to repulse a medieval invasion, as if the city's Kurdish majority could crowd in, pull up the lad¬ ders, and watch the waves of Arabic- and freelancer; just as a mush¬ North Korea layered, like Tower of Babel' Queen rogue and set up shop there as citadel and Dairy Turkish-speakers wash away the Kurdish dream. Only one subject was conspi¬ to another passenger, one of the cuously guards said "Aha!" and I endu¬ Kurdish wonderland: Seven years later, Erbil is still room cloud bears the in marks of the influence of AQ Khan, an ice cream cake in implies the assistance of someone with mastery of Dairy Queen technology in Istanbul or Bahrain. When formerly oppressed peo¬ ple begin to control their des¬ they follow a familiar script. They start off hapless and beleaguered; this was the everywhere. Where once I had hunt for a suitable hotel, Kurds' when they position 25 years ago, Saddam Hussein of The agent Arabs in Erbil had gone so well scouting region's for suicide detente bomb targets. (At the time, the that the Kurds reported about a dozen long thwarted oppressed car-bomb attempts each month.) In the last other pounding their villages into a years, the Kurds. children. Then Kurds and cause hope in of Turkey, measure of never was sim¬ Iraqi mentioned. Kurds felt across they expressed phase privately. of coping most into lucrative went in Shahab ethnic one. When with friend the city, to I One morning, in hopes of dis¬ covering what rump elements Abu according friend boundaries, that solidarity an the best kebab house Kurdish the final and October American in with the national If solidarity to a of the still-fighting Kurdish opposition looked like, I drove to a rural area near Koye, about the entire thumping dinner shopping centres and car dea¬ Arabic lerships and a cinema boasting an hour outside Erbil, past complex buzzed with no '8D' screens (as if three dimen¬ evident discomfort, just three sions were not enough). There I storeys glee¬ met Mustafa Hijri, who as the There was they perhaps found work up here as a ultimate from this worried, penultimate conversations. achieve Turks pan-Kurdish the Kurds have moved decisively fine powder and nerve-gassing their with Syria, Iraq and Iran seven enormous, filled with Arabs who have fled well. The Kurds earn a strong the was are now ubiquitous and the violence of the south, and Iraqi the fate Kurdistan have happened, and the Kurds to this to determine if I was an Arab ply tiny, could not be happier. Arabs are in red two hours of interrogation oppression Kurdish land. But the invasions absent operator in West Asia had gone a round, another I spoke a few words of Arabic auto¬ of Arab diners, nomy (protected in this case by business off housing and fee¬ US ding them. The Turks are and UK militaries) and in town, too. Here and there one begin to work toward separa¬ fully parting with their money. secretary-general We ordered Kurdistan Democratic Party of Pizza a Kurdistan Flag with peppers, toma¬ of the Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) is a tion, the creation of an ethnic sees the telltale undotted i's on the sides of trucks, showing homeland, a Kurdistan. Finally, secure in their dominance over that they're loaded with the building equipment of Turkish contractors. Makyol, just One of built them, a new their land, they loosen up and toes and white cheese to repre¬ man sent the Kurdish tricolour, with buying who a slice of pineapple in the mid¬ Assassins from Iran murdered dle to represent the sun. The two Arab Vienna in 1989 and in Berlin in of has a life his hard time insurance. predecessors (in try to cash in on their neigh¬ bours. Kurdish airport, a futuristic ter¬ families seemed to be sticking to the kebabs. Nearby 1992), and now he lives in per¬ was manent exile out here a large speedway where 15 kilo¬ On my first trip to Kurdistan, I minal designed by the UK firm, Scott Wilson. The Turks have come to conquer not with tanks was stopped at a checkpoint by Peshmerga armed Kurdistan's militiamen who poli- families and youngsters could metres finish strapping that gives no hint of the gran¬ into bumper cars and driving deur to be found in the big city the night by from Iran, in a room Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti nearby. a firestorm aerial In the old days, voices for Kurdish the of artillery bombardment on and ponded their evenly to questions cracy. The leaderships of the major Kurdish parties about other opposition groups, two remain loudest camps. I saw one former guer¬ gently indepen¬ rilla years later in Paris, and he wavered in its commitment to continue to chiding each one that wildly popular and lead the regional dence came from shrill, driven told I democracy and human rights. government, but they have not members had met in the camps was now After spending several days in yet faced a serious challenge at dead. the hypercapitalism of Erbil, to the come out to this humble politi¬ nant of Kurdistan groups like Workers' visited their the Party. I me everyone one else mountain polls unlike parties the in domi¬ Baghdad, hideouts, an extraordinary net¬ Hijri, by contrast, was not at all cal office and hear a man ear¬ which only just resolved work of fanatical. Rather, he was mea¬ nestly deadlock hived into sured and dignified. was and huts and bivouacs the Qandil listened range, "We are like trekking principles to meet a of an election the that took place eight months ago. guru. were But that's no matter. The Kurds fighters droned on about revo¬ armed said, still idealists hidden away in have their money, and this is lutionary citing as the hills of Iraqi Kurdistan? these Marxism. have guerrilla about trying democratic means, not Turkey while talk Iran jointly groups to the and struggle," the Swiss he model a Who knew there indisputably fought rough approximation of what point of Iran would look like if it adop¬ For now, the Iraqi Kurds have ted the PDKI platform. He res something extinction in Qandil, dropping Kurdish land. The Arabs just come to ride go- less than Karts. demo 8 December 2010 I» Rudaw.Nef Kurds Want Six Ministries in New Iraqi Govt By HEMIN BABAN Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al- ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan: A promi¬ Maliki (C) walks nent Kurdish lawmaker in the Iraqi par¬ with Kurdish liament says the alliance of Kurdish par¬ President Masoud ties has asked for six ministerial portfo¬ Barzani in Arbil lios in the new cabinet expected to be in November. formed Maliki was suc¬ soon by Prime Minister des¬ cessful in getting ignate Nuri Maliki. Independent Mahmoud Kurds Kurdish Osman would hold told the backing of lawmaker Rudaw the foreign Kurds to form a that government. affairs portfolio but would not be able to head the transport portfolio because Maliki's leading Shiite coalition had its eye on between the Kurdish authorities and the the ministry, as it controlled Iraq's ports Baghdad government over the control of and and airports. the country's oil and gas resources in the points. The "service ministries" such as defense, foreign affairs, the interior, oil finance would each earn three past few years, resulting in parliament health, which ministries each party would hold not earn two points each and the "ministers by December 9th. Kurds were interested Hydrocarbon Law. As it appears that the of in several key service ministries, such as Kurds women affairs, would earn one point. planning, Foreign Affairs Ministry, it is much less Osman said it would become clear higher water education resources, and tourism, agriculture, he being able have now to pass been Iraq's granted the likely to be granted the Oil Ministry. The Kurdish alliance, with 49 seats, ker involved in negotiations with state", such and as education state would minister for But Khaled Shwani, a PUK Kurdish lawmaker, said the point system had fai¬ Fatih Daraghayi, a Kurdish lawma¬ said. tourism the led. He said the parliamentary blocs had instead opted for a different distribution is an umbrella group of all the Kurdish Arab parties in Baghdad, said his coali¬ mechanism parties in the Iraqi tion gave up the oil ministry "because positions of president, prime minister, parliament, except the senior state after gaining the post of the president, parliamentary speaker and their depu¬ Although Gorran was originally part we were not certain whether we could ties would not be included in the point the also system. opposition party Gorran. of whereby alliance, it withdrew in late hold the Ministry of Foreign October because of disagreements with Affairs. So we asked for one of the two the two dominant Kurdish parties, the ministries and, now that it has been Shwani said that the Kurds believed they should be given more of the cabi¬ Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and almost finalized that we will be given net, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). the Foreign Affairs Ministry, using Maliki had earlier said the new cabi¬ given up oil." ding the newly added ministry of invest¬ proposal ment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the expected to once again be granted to based on a point system. ministries other parties would be distributed of president, minister in the previous distribution "national government, system entitlement" based as on Iraq's Independent lawmaker Osman criti¬ cized the Kurdish alliance's on prime a second largest ethnic group. whereby According to the system, the chief positions ministry in the last five years. to the as their Maliki's coalition had submitted a net would contain 38 ministries, inclu¬ Hoshyar Zebari, a Kurd who has run the we have being awarded the insistence Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying the distribution of portfolios had become like "an inhe¬ earlier and parliamentary speaker would earn ritance". expressed interest in the portfolio for 10 points each. The proposal said five asked either for the oil or finance minis¬ seats tries, rather than foreign affairs. Kurdish lawmakers had oil. There have been deep differences in parliament would earn two points, and the "sovereign ministries" of He said Kurds should have Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti gf)cIUn£>l)inqtoiigti»iC0 December 2, 2010 schute: Missed business opportunity in Kurdistan Turks, Iranians and Jordanians invest while we sit on sidelines mention the word Kurdistan, likely in deference to the old Turkish hypersen¬ By Harry Schute Jr. sitivity to the word. But if the Turkish consul in Erbil can openly say "Kurdistan region" in front of hundreds of guests, why can't the State H he Kurdistan Regional Government released significant Department's Iraq Travel Warning and news recently. It announced that Iraq Country Specific Information men¬ Houston's Marathon Oil Corp. had tion die federal region? In fact, the acquired operating positions in four oil most recent Iraq Travel Warning (Nov. blocks in Iraqi Kurdistan. This is good 5) says that "no region should be consi¬ news for oil development in Kurdistan dered safe" and "attacks against mili¬ and American business in Iraq. Another tary and civilian targets throughout Iraq news story that same day went unnoti¬ continue." The warning mentions ced by the Western press. The four-day "Northern Iraq," but in a confusing Erbil International Fair came to a suc¬ paragraph mixing apples and oranges. cessful conclusion with nearly 850 illustration: Kurdistan by Alexander companies participating. Only two Hunter for The Washington Times American companies came to the fair. As someone who has been working in Erbil, I really don't know what the refe¬ rence is for the State warnings and Where were the rest of the Americans? Why did all of these companies come alarms. The fact is, no more than 200 This was the sixth consecutive year that to Erbil? They came because they rea¬ U.S. soldiers have been based in all of Iraqi Kurdistan's capital hosted the fair. lize there is plenty of opportunity in Once again, the fair was conducted Kurdistan with a progressive invest¬ without incident, with broad business ment law, free-market practices, excel¬ Kurdistan since 2004 because there is security. No Westerner has been killed or kidnapped in Kurdistan since the war began. Other countries see these participation and attendance by an lent security and many opportunities. array of senior regional and internatio¬ Those opportunities are not just in oil, facts, and they queue up to get their nal figures. These included the Czech either. They abound in agriculture, tou¬ companies into Kurdistan. deputy foreign minister, the Polish rism and manufacturing. Kurdistan minister of reconstruction, the head of imports almost everything, yet it has a It would seem that because America United Kingdom Trade and Investment capable work force that is ready to did the heavy lifting and shed the most (UKTI) and representatives from make its own products and export to among the 17 diplomatic contingents the rest of Iraq and the region. blood to bring freedom to Iraq - inclu¬ ding Kurdistan - American business ought to be taking advantage of the present in Erbil. One might ask, "Why don't American excellent opportunities that abound and that Kurds want to share with Fair organizers proudly proclaimed in companies come?" There are two prin¬ their slick English catalog that they had cipal reasons. One is that many had more than 20 percent growth, with Americans still cannot distinguish the 22 countries represented at the event. differences between Kurdish Iraq and Turkey is at the front of that list with Arab Iraq. As someone who has been 76 companies, followed by, among to both and has spent considerable time others Iran - 53; Jordan - 44; Germany in Kurdistan since 2003, 1 can tell you tries that do want to participate, whe¬ - 41 ; France - 19; United Arab Emirates they are very different places in terms ther they are from France, Germany, -16; Austria - 13; Czech Republic - 11; of security, culture, language and, most U.K. - nine (though 39 U.K. companies significantly, attitude toward America. Marathon and Hunt Oil Co., have seen this and are enjoying the benefits. If others don't step in, Kurdistan will have to look to companies from those coun¬ China or Iran. In that scenario, both American business and American diplomacy will miss out. were visiting the fair with UKTI); China - five; and the U.S. - two. The second is that the U.S. government Some elements of the country list American investment in Kurdistan. On should be no surprise. Turkey is the lar¬ one hand, the Defense and Commerce gest investor by far in Kurdistan and departments have been active propo¬ has more than 600 companies active nents of U.S. business. On the other, there. The supply base from Europe to the State Department is the source of Erbil is a mere four-hour flight away, confusing messages. sends a confusing message about making it relatively easy for the Harry Schute Jr. is a retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel. He commanded an Army Reserve civil affairs battalion in Kurdistan in 2003-04 and later was chief of staff for the Coalition Provisional Authority - North. He is a consulting adviser to the Kurdistan Regional Government Europeans to participate. The most pro¬ Any business that might be exploring blematic representation was the large the array of State Department commu¬ Iranian delegation. Even China and its Americans. A few companies, such as nications would readily conclude that five-company delegation outdid all of Iraq is the same, meaning dange¬ American business. rous. In fact, State is even loathe to Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Interactive Investor 2 December 2010 Stability in Kurdistan a boon to UK oil firms over $10 billion worth of investment into the sector. Fiona Bond News of fervent investment comes as lit¬ tle surprise, with Kurdistan long luring t long last the Iraqi government has overseas oil companies with the promise started the daunting task of forming of attractive production agreement, inclu¬ a the ding UK-listed Gulf Keystone Petroleum potential overhaul of the oil industry. (GKP) and Heritage Oil (HOIL). After more than eight months of political While both have acknowledged the vola¬ wrangling tile and precarious political situation, nei¬ tions, new cabinet following Nuri and with it, inconclusive Al-Maliki's elec¬ appointment as Iraq's new Prime Minister has reawake¬ ned the long-stalled federal law issue in the autonomous Kurdish region. Reports have emerged ther has let it put them off their stride. FTSE 250-listed Heritage remained opti¬ mistic that there is the "potential for export production to recommence when a pay¬ from Iraq that ment mechanism has been agreed", while Kurdish factions - long embroiled in an oil just pay dispute with Baghdad - are using the Keystone commenced oil issue as a precondition for giving their Shaikan-2 appraisal well. support to Al-Maliki's coalition and have demanded a new law be passed before mid-2011. Iraqi It's earlier little keep this week, wonder that their drilling AIM-listed Gulf the drilling of both to if the oil ministry is lost to another faction underway, in the broad coalition than Al-Maliki's own. are campaign its keen with a US Geological Survey estimating government spokesman Ali al- Dabbagh said approving legislation of the long-awaited oil and gas law would among the new government's While by this no means be priorities. suggests a Kurdish victory, it is clear the resolution of around 40 billion barrels of oil and 60 tril¬ lion cubic feet of gas. The Miran Block, However, exact details of the new position appear uncertain as it lacks any legal defi¬ nition of which Heritage Oil - a key point for the opposing Kurds, according to Ciszuk. He believes owns 75% and is operator, is estimated to that the house watered down into ultimately just a figure¬ up to 3.4 billion barrels of oil in Kurds will view his position as head, as his chances of retaining control place. the dispute will be high upon the agenda. of the Oil Ministry start to grow increasin¬ Gulf Keystone, in turn, said the spudding Samuel Ciszuk, Middle East energy ana¬ lyst at IHS Global Insight, strong Kurdish demand said: "The means they will push for a national oil law that will reco¬ gnise the oil contracts signed separately gly slim, leaving it with a greater opportu¬ of its first deep appraisal well on the nity Shaikan structure could, case, result in a significant increase of oil in place. the KRG allowing the the well as for its upstream investors, as a lot production could hit one million barrels a and involving lOCs. some investors deal "This would be crucial for the region, as with of companies are now making headway in their initial exploration commitments and day by January 2014 and said the region might be very reluctant to invest in addi¬ is now ready to start exporting region's producers to export crude." a in Indeed, Hawrami believes that Kurish oil protecting out current -90 volumes of 1.9 billion barrels matic changes by bringing them into line standard, thrash recognition of its own oil contracts with by the KRG, or at least will not force dra¬ national to in the success 100,000 tional appraisals, not to say development, barrels a day, to be increased to around Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have been at logger¬ should a resolution to the dispute drag on 150,000 barrels a day by the close of next further," he said. year or early 2012. heads for over a year regarding the pro¬ duction-sharing the agreements signed The by Kurds. The central government pro¬ question, what extent Clear political passage however, Kurdish oil remains contracts as to might need to be changed to bring them into line tested that the deals went against the law, with some national standard. while the Kurds were adamant that they were in line with the constitution, resulting But before Kurdistan can unlock its pro¬ in the halt of oil exports out of the region. duction potential, it must first ensure the passage of the national oil law is a clear one. Al-Maliki address resources, Ashti Hawrami, claimed eight new oil discoveries have been made in the Northern Iraqi region over the past pushing for PSA deals when greenfield exploration really tell. New oil discoveries Earlier this week, KRG minister for natural While there is little doubt the Kurds will be has the already oil taken industry, with steps the to offer open for current oil minister Hussein alShahristani to become one of three new deputy prime ministers, with a special brief for energy issues. two to three years and 37 contracts have This been signed with 40 companies, raking in keep control of Iraq's energy sector, even job would allow al-Shahristani to is involved, only time will Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Xtlîtaie WikiLeaks Mardi 7 décembre 2010 m imi ii^^^^w^^s^' ni 1 1 n in mm i mi im i m 111 iiiiiiiii if ijiiimiiiiimiiiîij 'miiiii 111 11 m m iiiii iii iiiiiii m i us e mu n i ni ti i n 1 1 ni 1 1 n i ni hîie g am i im ut Les rapports secrets du département d'Etat entre deux pays qui se sont livrés, dei98oài988,uneguerrequiafait près d'un million de morts, restent américaines compliquées, mais permanentes. Partenaire difficile pour l'Iran,- le premier ministre, Nouri Al-Mali- sur l'ingérence ki, le chef du plus ancien parti reli- 1 gieux chiite irakien (Daawa), constitue actuellement un nou¬ veau gouvernement. Il sera domi¬ de l'Iran en Irak né par des formations chiites a priori plus favorables aux intérêts iraniens que d'autres partis. Diplomatie, finances, religion, opérations en décembre 2009, d'un puits de pétrole irakien par des soldats ira¬ niens à Al-Fakkah, dans la provin¬ Menaces et promesses, grammes diplomatiques écrits aide financière, mani¬ entre 2004 et février 2010 par l'am¬ pulations politiques, bassade américaine de Bagdad, espionnage tous azi- obtenus par WikiLeaks et révélés muts.-tentatives d'influence reli¬ par Le Monde, la stratégie iranien¬ gieuse, fournitures d'armes et d'ex¬ ne en Irak a usé, au fil des ans, de plosifs à des milices «pro» ou tous les instruments possibles et «anti» gouvernementales selon imaginables pour influer sur les les périodes, incidents sporadi- affaires intérieures de son voisin. ques plus ou moins provoqués sur Force est de constater que la les frontières communes, contacts République et visites atteint, en Irak, nombre de ses multipliées entre les deux pays... A en croire les télé objectifs islamique initiaux. Les d'Iran a relations quie ou la Syrie. » Jalal Talabani, le vieux prési¬ dent kurde de la République post¬ Saddam Hussein, qui assiste com¬ me souvent à l'entretien, est d'ac¬ cord. «Selon lui, la racine des nom¬ breux problèmes entre Irak et Iran sur leur frontière est liée aux accords d'Alger signés en 1975» entre feu le chah Reza Pahlavi et Saddam Hussein, qui n'était alors que vice-président. L'Iran, comme Suite à la brève « occupation », clandestines : Téhéran atteint ses objectifs qu'avec ses autres voisins, la Tur¬ ce de Maysan, Adel Abdel Mahdi, l'un des deux vice-présidents ira¬ kiens, invité à l'ambassade améri¬ caine le 10 janvier 2010, explique pourquoi l'Irak a choisi d'user de la. diplomatie pour obtenir, avec l'ONU, reconnaît toujours la validi¬ té de ces accords de délimitation de la frontière. L'Irak veut aujour¬ d'hui les renégocier. Les deux voi¬ sins évoquent régulièrement les travaux d'une commission techni¬ que conjointe chargée de régler les problèmes de frontière, mais la commission n'a encore produit aucune esquisse de solution. succès, le départ des Iraniens. «Ils ont commis une erreur, dit-il. L'Irak ne peut pas risquer son ave¬ nir en entrant dans un nouveau conflit avec l'Iran. Il est très impor¬ tant que le pays conserve de bon¬ nes relations avec l'Iran, de même «Le commandant des Gardiens de la révolution dirige la politique irakienne de l'Iran» Un télégramme diplomatique américain En ce début 2010, dans le même bureau américain, Taha Shuker Abbassi, le chef de la division « pays voisins » au ministère des affaires étrangères d'Irak, s'était montré plus pugnace et avait demandé «quel soutien militaire les Etats-Unis seraient prêts àfour¬ nir dans le cas d'une attaque par Un des voisins ». «Il encourage aussi le gouvernement américain à condamner publiquement l'agres¬ sion iranienne (...) pour démontrer à l'opinion irakienne le soutien moral américain à l'intégrité terri¬ toriale de l'Irak. » Le diplomate irakien « se lamen¬ te», écrit l'auteur du télégramme : «Les Iraniens se conduisent avec nous comme si le pays était tou¬ jours sous la domination de Sad- Des soldats irakiens reprennent le contrôle du puits de pétrole d'AI-Fakkah, le 25 décembre 2009, dans le sud-est de l'Irak, près de la frontière avec l'Iran, après qu'il eut été «occupé» durant trois jours par des soldats iraniens, essam al-sudani/afp 8 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti dam. » A la fin de son texte, l'am¬ dépendancefinancière ». «Les chif¬ mis les points sur les « i ». Puisque américaine, commence à «traiter bassadeur américain, Christopher fres exacts sont inconnus, maisl'as- l'Iran prétend tout faire pour aider les Irakiens avec plus de respect». Hill, note : «Il devient clair que les sistance financière à à « stabiliser » son voisin, ce qui est Les relations entre les deux pays deux parties [l'Iran et l'Irak] réali¬ ceux qui l'acceptent est estimée de son intérêt stratégique, pourquoi «deviennent plus matures». sent que leurs relations bilatérales 100 à 200 millions de dollars cha¬ ne pas commencer «par nous ren¬ C'est que, écrit Christopher Hill sont moins conduites par leur héri¬ que année, dont 70 millionspour les dre les 17 avions Iïiouchine que Sad¬ en novembre 2009, les Iraniens iranienne tage chiite commun que par les seuls coffres du Conseil suprême dam Hussein avait envoyés en ont découvert que « leur pouvoir priorités du monde réel et des inté¬ islamique en Irak (CSII) » et sa bran¬ Iran» avant la guerre lancée en en Irak n'est pas sans limite ». Leur rêts divergents.» che armée, la milice Badr. 1991 par Washington, demande «principal obstacle politique reste Dans une note «secrète» du Depuis 2003, c'est « le général M. Maliki au Guide iranien. «Il n'y l'autorité dominante et la crédibili¬ 13 novembre 2009, le diplomate Ghassem Soleimani, commandant a pas eu de réponse», souligne le té religieuse incarnée par le grand américain rédige un long texte des Gardiens de la révolution -for¬ diplomate dans son compte rendu. ayatollah Ali Sistani, lequel, bien intitulé « Efforts iraniens dans la ce Al-Qods (un proche du Guide Lors de ce voyage, «Maliki affir¬ qu 'iranien de nationalité, est un cri¬ politique électorale de l'Irak ». Dès suprême iranien, Ali Khamenei), me avoir présenté à ses hôtes les tique le sommaire de son étude, l'am¬ qui dirige laformulation et la mise preuves, "irakiennes et non améri¬ layat-e-faqih" (gouvernement des bassadeur reconnaît que «l'Iran en de la politique irakienne caines", des activités clandestines clercs) en vigueur en Iran». est un des joueurs dominants dans du gouvernement d'Iran ». L'inté¬ iraniennes dans son pays ». Confes¬ Lors de sa visite en Irak en la politique électorale irakienne». ressé totalité des sions écrites « des agents et des com¬ mars 2008, si le président Mah¬ La République islamique « use des moyens de la diplomatie, de la sécu¬ plices irakiens capturés» et «pho¬ moud Ahmadinejad n'est pas allé liens de proximité qu'elle a établis rité, du renseignement et des outils tos des armes saisies avec estam¬ dans la ville sainte chiite de Nadjaf, avec des figures chiites, kurdes et économiques pour influencer ses pille iranienne ». Ali Khamenei, rap¬ nous une sélection de sunnites (...) en alliés et ses détracteurs irakiens porte le premier ministre à l'ambas¬ « confidentiel », c'est qu'Ali Sistani, faveur d'une victoire chiite aux pour établir un régimepluspro-ira- sade américaine, «a juré» sur tous qui vit modestement dans la vieille élections». « Un gouvernement ira¬ nien, à Bagdad comme dans les pro¬ les saints du chiisme qu'il n'était ville, près du mausolée de l'imam kien pro-Ira n, dom inéparles ch ii- vinces». Selon L'ambassadeur Hill, pas au courant, qu'il a « personnelle- Ali, le premier des chiites, avait fait tes et préférablement islamiste, « Soleimani entretient d'anciennes demeure la priorité numéro un de et proches relations avec le prési¬ Téhéran. C'est pour cela, pôursuit- dent Jalal Talabani, le vice-prési¬ il, que l'Iran cherche à accentuer la dent Adel Abdel Mahdi (numéro pression sur Maliki pour qu'il joi¬ deux du CSII), Nouri Al-Maliki, l'an- « emploie la gne ses forces aux autres çoali- cien premier minisire [Ibrahim A1-] tz'orischiites.» Finalement.M. Mali¬ Jaafari et le président (sunnite) du ki Parlement, [Ayad A1-] Samaraï. » ira seul aux mars 2010 mais élections de sera contraint, arithmétique oblige, de s'allier Pour faire bonne mesure, « les outils d'influence» de l'Iran aux autres partis chiites pour res¬ incluent «des aidés économiques ter premier ministre. aux organisations religieuses, un , de la doctrine apprend un du "ve- télégramme savoir qu'il ne le recevrait pas. Problème, Ali Sistani a 83 ans, sa Le guide iranien Khamenei « a juré » que l'Iran aurait « salarie plus de sur tous les saints du dix mille imams chiites » en Irak pour élargir le soutien à la doctrine chiisme qu'il ignorait du «gouvernement des clercs», l'ayatollah irakien qui pourrait lui toute activité de succéder en tant qu'autorité spiri¬ déstabilisation en Irak tuelle, Mohammad Said Al-Hakim, ment édicté unefatwa interdisant gramme de mai 2008, « adepte du "velayat-e-faqih" » à l'iranienne. serait lui aussi, d'après un télé¬ économiquement soutien en armes à des militants toute activité de déstabilisation en dépendant et politiquement subor¬ chiites sélectionnés et un sanctuai¬ Irak», que quelqu'un a dû «violer Un autre télégramme américain donné donnerait à Téhéran une re aux politiciens irakiens qui ont à ses ordres». Le général Soleimani expliqué que le grand ayatollah Sis¬ plus grande profondeur stratégi¬ craindre des Etats-Unis ou qui veu¬ jure, lui aussi, que les actes en cau- tani, qui a discrètement approuvé que», écrit encore le diplomate. lent revitaliser leur crédit politico- seontdûêtreengagés«sansautori- l'accord sécuritaire irako-américain «Le religieux Moqtada sation». Il va enquêter. M. Maliki fin 2008, a « interdit» l'enrôlement récemment parlé de l'Irak comme Al-Sadr». Replié dans un séminai¬ dira aux Américains qu'« il accorde d'étudiants religieux iraniens dans .. d'une "base chiite" confrontée aux re de Qom depuis plus de trois ans, zéro Crédit» à ces dénégations. les séminaires dé Nadjaf. Il « craint « Un Irak président Ahmadinejad a comme Pour parvenir à ces le prêcheur radical chiite, qui veut Fin 2008, en dépit de la ferme les infiltrations » par lés services du résultats, l'Iran « a compris qu'il lui devenir ayatollah et dont la milice opposition des Iraniens à la conclu¬ général Soleimani. Dans la même fallait faire montre d'une grande a livré en 2004 deux guéries meur¬ sion de l'accord stratégique améri¬ dépêche, flexibilité opérationnelle, et même trières américains, cano-irakien (SOFA) qui prévoit, Oudaï», chef des services de rensei¬ parfois idéologique». Il n'est ainsi vient d'apporter, sur pression ira¬ entre autres, le retrait progressif gnement de la province de Nadjaf, «pas rare» que l'Iran «finance et nienne, le soutien de ses 40 élus à des Nouri explique aux Américains combien soutienne des entités chiites ou kur¬ la coalition de M. Maliki. : Al-Maliki signe le document et le « l'Iran représente une menacepour Parlement de Bagdad l'approuve. la stabilité de l'Irak» M menaces.» des rivales- etparfois même sunni^Jes-^dàns le but dé développer une aux soldats En juin 2008, le premier minis¬ tre irakien, en yisite à Téhéran, a' Une histoire longue et tourmentée 637 Victoire des musulmans sur islamique sur le régime du chah les Perses à Qadissiya, près RezaPahlavi. . deNadjaf. 1988 L'Iran accepte la résolution 1975 Accords d'Alger délimitant 598 dû Conseil de sécurité des les frontières entre riràk et l'Iran, Nations unies adoptée en 1987, notamment sur le Chart Al-Arab. qui prévoit un cessez-le-féu immé¬ diat, le retour aux frontières de 1980 Le président irakien Sad¬ 1980 et l'échange des prisonniers. dam Hussein, un sunnite, dénon¬ ce les accords d'Alger ; début de 2003 Chute du président Sad¬ la guerre entre l'Irak et l'Iran où . dam Hussein à la suite de l'inva¬ vient de triompher la révolution sion américaine de l'Irak. j santé est chancelante et, tandis soldats , américains, L'Iran, se félicite la chancellerie un- certain « major Patrice Claude ; Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Lki Rudaw*^" 5 December 2010 Wikileaks Reveals Kurdish Secrets By WLADIMIR VAN Kurds constitute a por¬ WILGENBURG tion of the secret US diplomatic documents disclosed by Wikileaks. The founder of AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands: Kurdish affairs Wikileaks, Julian such as Kirkuk and Assange, said that more drug trafficking are under the interna¬ "waves" of leaked cables tional spotlight with the recent release should be expected in the of hundreds of thousands of confiden¬ tial US documents by next month-and-a-half whistle-blo¬ Photo/AFP/DPA. wing Wikileaks. In leaked US diplomatic cables the Turkish ambassador to Iraq, Murat Ozcelik, told US officials on January Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani being involved in the narcotics trade 11th that for the first time a Kurdish had by Turkey and Europol. In October official understood that Kirkuk would Turkoman-Kurd Arab- 2009 the US Treasury named PKK not be Kurd reconciliation efforts in Kirkuk leader Murat Karayilan and two other mous Iraqi Kurdistan region, indica¬ and Nineveh respectively. He indica¬ PKK ting to Turkey that a compromise and ted that Kirkuk's Turkomans realized "kingpins", but the PKK denied this, a the limit of their influence in the elec¬ claiming mey were against drugs. included special in the semiautono- 10-year status for Kirkuk was needed. involving Turkey, government Regional and the the Iraqi Kurdistan Government Interior (KRG), Minister Karim participate and Sunni in in Ankara as also noted gress in that, ties troublesome and despite between as drug trafficking But the leadership of the PKK dis¬ missed the allegations as "baseless." Ozcelik admitted that Kurds were seen members recent pro¬ Turkey and According to further leaked docu¬ ments, published by Arabic language newspaper Al Akhbar, an outspoken critic of Kurdish security forces in Kurdistan, Kurds feared the Turkish Nineveh, Yezidi Progress Party head Sinjari said the KRG had now unders¬ military's Wa'ad Hammad Matto was arrested at tood reverse that Kurdistan would not be incorporating Kirkuk into the region. The Turkish official claimed it hard-line Turkey's reconciliation. elements current Ozcelik could policy said it of his Nineveh home and then detained was in Baghdad by Iraqi military intelli¬ important for Turkey to emphasize to gence for meeting with Baathists was the first time a senior Kurdish the Syria in October 2009. leader had suggested that there could security be interests lay in keeping Turkey-KRG claimed relations on an even keel. arrest because he did not join the pro- some approach flexibility to the in the KRG's implementation of Article 140, which would determine the future of disputed multi-ethnic regions including Kirkuk. However, any Sinjari compromise on KRG and, Other Kurdish denied making Kirkuk saying context." that Turkey's critically, secret Wikileaks long-term commercial cables alleged guerilla leaked that by Turkey's movement, the Matto, a former the KDP in KDP-member, orchestrated the KDP Ninewa Fraternity List led by a KDP leader, Khasro Gorran, in Nineveh in the Iraqi elections. Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), was involved in drug trafficking. that his words were "taken out of their But, according to the documents, During a meeting between officers US intelligence sources said he had from the US and Iraq at the Trilateral meetings Intelligence Sharing Office hosted by politicians in Syria and was not politi¬ nor in that context. They have been the cally motivated by the Kurds, and this misinterpreted," said Sinjari. Major "My words were neither like that "We insist on the implementation KRG on November General 25th "Delshad" 2009, of the with prominent Baathist was why he was arrested. Kurdish Border Guard (Zerevani) said The document shows that Sheihk 140 without any compro¬ the "PKK/Kongra Gel is involved in Abdullah of the Sunni nationalist al- mise on it. But we are ready to nego¬ narcotics trafficking through transpor¬ Hadba party paid $20,000 for Matto 's tiate in order to facilitate the imple¬ tation defense in court. mentation of the article as protection." of Article it needs cooperation." and "Safa", Ozcelik speculated that if the par¬ General associated services, like Yezidis an aide "Fukaiki" of Iraqi added Major mat "die are primarily ethnic Kurds, mostly living near Mosul, with smaller communities in surrounding ties were able to buy enough time, the PKK regularly uses the border seams countries. Their religion incorporates Kurds would understand that increa¬ to traffic narcotics from Iran through local Kurdish and Islamic Sufi beliefs. sed economic activity in the context the of a more stable Iraq made adminis¬ onward to the European market." trative boundaries less important. Furthermore, 10 to tive to work with Kurds. negotiations on December 21st 2009 Kurdistan him tion law debate and were more recep¬ Ozcelik said diat, during tri-lateral in Erbil asked Ozcelik mountains west to Turkey and Wikileak's revelations are not new said as the PKK has often been accused of Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Kurdish concessions in Baghdad resolving the Kirkuk issue (Article 140). Foreign Policy By Denise Natali The Kurds also have new challenges at the societal level. Nearly all nonKurdish communities across Iraq have become increasingly concerned, if not hostile, to what they perceive as an The Obama administration may view the recent Iraqi power-sharing agree¬ ment as a milestone toward creating a 'unity' government in Baghdad, yet the real litmus test of Iraq's political viability will come when key legislation is presen¬ ted to the parliament. Two of die most challenging issues for Baghdad-Arbil relations involve territory and oil ~ resolving disputed boundaries and pas¬ discrimination of Arabs in the northern region. Their collective response has been to reassure that Kirkuk is an inte¬ gral part of Iraq and that it will not become administratively attached to the Kurdistan Region. This is why, des¬ pite Kurdish influence in Baghdad, no real progress has been made on key Kurdish nationalist issues since 2005. The census has been delayed, Article sing a national hydrocarbons law. Although the Kurds are pressed to deter¬ mine the administrative status of the oilrich province of Kirkuk, nearly all Arab groups ~ Sunni and Shia alike over-reaching of Kurdish rights and remain adamantly against such a proposal. Given current trends in Iraq and the 140 is defunct, and the Kurds must now address the findings of the Committee to Review the Iraqi Constitution, which seeks to revise those articles that empower the regions. ged nationalist agenda and shift its focus from intractable land claims to Baghdadapproved petroleum deals. The region's long-term political and economic prospe¬ rity rests on such a compromise. Indeed, the Kurds face important obs¬ tacles in the petroleum sector as well. Even though the KRG has signed dozens of oil deals with international companies and optimistically projects one million barrels daily within five years, the central government does not The Kurdistan Regional Government recognize the contracts. arrangement in Iraq is a façade. The Kurds are not kingmakers or even equal participants, but rather a politi¬ cally expedient swing vote for the two key Iraq political groups: Nuri alMaliki's State of Law Party and Ayad Allawi's Iraqqiya. Even though the Kurdish leader, Jalal Talabani retained the presidency position and has been able to use his charismatic personality to give the role more substance, it is still a ceremonial post. The Kurdish Coalition may secure one of the key ministries in Baghdad; however, it will Consequently, the oil companies are still unable to export their crude to international markets and have not been fully paid for production. the premiership, security for¬ ces, or the Council of Ministers. nies that have recently entered the Kurdish market, the Kurdistan region is likely to face increasing competition from southern Iraq, particularly as the central government attempts to reac¬ tive its role in OPEC, develop the mega-fields in Basra, and repair its oil infrastructure, with the hopes of expan¬ ding output from 2.6 million to more than 12.5 million in seven years. any real ally in Baghdad. Maliki may have expressed support for Kurdish nationalist demands during the transi¬ tion period; however, he is likely to withdraw from his promises as he consolidates power, much the way pre¬ vious Iraqi leaders have done during regime changes. Iraqiyya also is likely to frustrate Kurdish territorial demands. The speaker of the parlia¬ ment, Usama al-Nujaifi, has a reputa¬ tion for challenging Kurdish nationalist interests and has opposed the idea of larly as the focus shifts from 'rights to exploration' to 'transparency of contracts.' In his recent visit to the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament (IKP), soon-to-be ex-Iraqi Oil Minister Ali Sharistani sta¬ Kurdish oil contracts only if they were all presented openly to the IKP for approval. Further, the central govern¬ ment has included in its draft 2011 budget a line item for oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, although a relati¬ vely small amount. The demand for transparency also has become a mantra which has recently withdrawn from the Kurdish Coalition and also demands full public disclosure of all KRG-signed oil deals. The idea of disclosing oil contracts may challenge the secretive nature of the KRG's Ministry of Natural Resources, a one-man show run by Ashti Hawrami. It also may do little to resolve the long¬ standing political distrust that runs deep between Arbil and Baghdad or the historical legacies of Kirkuk that shape Kurdish identity, which is tied to the land. Yet, given the new role of oil in driving the Kurdistan region's deve¬ Even if Baghdad cannot effectively raise production to the levels it pre¬ dicts, it would still have control of the Nor does the Kurdistan Coalition have made on the oil conundrum, particu¬ Additionally, despite the larger compa¬ not have control of the crux of political power issue. In fact, slight progress has been for the Goran opposition movement, (KRG) will need to make political concessions because the power-sharing ter chance of negotiating a hydrocar¬ bons law than resolving the Kirkuk ted that Baghdad would recognize Kurdistan Region, the Kurdish Coalition would do best to nuance its highly-char¬ Still, the Kurdish elites may have a bet¬ Iraqi oil sector, including markets in the Kurdish north. Regional states see¬ king to profit from Iraqi oil, particu¬ larly Turkey, are looking toward Baghdad and not Arbil as the main lopment and the absence of support from key Sunni and Shia Arab groups for Kurdish control of Kirkuk, the KRG may have little choice but to substitute emotional nationalism for political pragmatism. This option may be the best possible way to realize any politi¬ cal and economic gains in the years ahead. source of revenue generation. Turkey's Energy Minister recently confirmed that foreign companies will need the Denise Natali is the Research Centers central government's approval to sign Director at the American University of oil and gas deals. Not surprisingly, des¬ Iraq, Sulaimani and author of The pite improved relations between Kurdish-Quasi State: Development and Ankara and Arbil, Turkey recently re- Dependency in Post-Gulf War Iraq extended its pipeline agreement with (Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, Baghdad, indirectly bypassing the 2010). Kurdistan region. 11 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti INTEK NATIONAL* ïîeralô Meddling by neighbors DECEMBER 6, 2010 adds to Iraq's troubles WASHINGTON 'if' ' BY MICHAEL R. GORDON i£wm^3M^i ii\M M\-"' - - 5 ' - Saddam Hussein's Iraq was a regional menace thafrsen^shudders through its neighbors. Today's Iraqi leaders are struggling to restrain the ambitions of the countries that share Iraq's porous borders, eye the country's rich re¬ sources and vie for influence. "All Iraq's neighbors were interfer¬ ing, albeit in different ways, the Gulf and Saudi Arabia with money, Iran with money and political influence, and the Syrians by. all means," Jalal Talabam, Iraq's president and the senior Kurdish official in the government, told Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in a Dec. 10, 2009, meeting, according to a diplomatic cable. "The Turks are 'polite' in their in¬ terference, but continue their attempts to influence Iraq's Turkmen community Baquba, Iraq Policemen during a parade to mark the withdrawal of U.S. forces from and Sunnis in Mosul." With American troops preparing to Iraqi cities. As the troops leave, the risk of interference rises. withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011, the meddling threatens to aggravate the sectarian divisions in the«country and undermine efforts by Iraq's leaders to get beyond bitter rivalries arid build a stable government. It also shows how deeply Iraq's leaders depend on the United States to manage the meddling, fighters to sneak into Iraq. The suspicions have often been mutu¬ Even Turkey, which has good relations al. "I don't trust this man," King Abdul¬ with the Iraqi government, has secretly lah of Saudi Arabia told John O. Bren- financed nationalist and nan, Mr. Obama's top counterterrorism Sunni political parties. anti-Kurdish , adviser, according to a cable about a Some leading Iraqi politicians have March 15, 2009, meeting at the king's tried to cast themselves as the right even as it exposes the increasing limits private palace in Saudi Arabia. "He is ones to resist Iranian influence and help on America's ability to do so. an Iranian agent." Cables obtained by the anti-secrecy Iraq improve ties with its Arab neigh¬ Jockeying for influence in Iraq by out¬ bors. made side countries has been going on ever Ayad Allawi, who leads the Iraqiya available to several news organizations since Mr. Hussein was ousted, hardly bloc, has emphasized his relationship describe flustered Iraqi leaders com- surprising given Iraq's strategic posi¬ with Arab leaders while his supporters plairfing of interference by manipulative tion in the Middle East, its vast oil re¬ have cast Mr. Maliki's Dawa party sup¬ neighbors; some of whom serves, population porters as fearful of interacting with the and the fact that it is a nascent, if un¬ Arab world, the cables show. Mr. Ma¬ steady, democracy largely surrounded liki's aides have presented themselves by undemocratic neighbors. and organization WikiLeaks of the United States and in the view do not want it to regain its previous position of power. "The challenge for us is to convince Mraq neighbors, particularly the Sunni Arab governments, that relations with a new Iraq are not a zero-sum game, where if Iraq wins, they lose," noted â Sept. 24, 2009, cable from Ambassador Christopher R. Hill that was aptiy tided "The Great Game, in Mesopotamia." U.S. diplomatic cables disclosed by WikiLeaks show that Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki's fears about out¬ side interference are so great that he asked President Barack Obama during a July 2009 visit to Washington to stop the Saudis from intervening. Saudi Ara¬ its multisectarian The Iranians, who waged a bloody their boss as being more eight-year war with Mr. Hussein, have many of their rivals no desire to see a strong Iraq emerge icans can keep the Saudis in line. from the ashes of his regime, especially one that has ties with the United States. So they have sought to influence its politics by funneling cash to Iraqi polit¬ ical factions, ordering assassinations and shipping arms to militants, some of which an Oct. 23, 2008, cable from Dubai warned might be disguised as Red Cres¬ savvy about resisting Iranian pressure than if only the Amer¬ Iran, by the United States' reckoning, has done the most to try to shape Iraqi politics. A Nov. 13, 2009, cable sent by Mr. Hill that called Iran "a dominant player in Iraq's electoral politics," esti¬ mated that Iran's annual support to $200 million. Some $70 million of that, cent medical supplies. The Saudis, who see Iran as the principal threat in the re¬ gion, have used their control of satellite Jockeying for influence in Iraq by outside countries has Sunni groups. Syria, which Iraqi leaders been going on ever since sectarian tensions and providing Iran have repeatedly complained to Ameri¬ Saddam Hussein was ousted. with an excuse to intervene in Iraqi pol¬ can diplomats is dominated by a Baath- leader complained, were heightening itics, according to an account of the Oval Office session Mr. Maliki shared with to political groups in Iraq was $100 million television and deep pockets to support bia's efforts to rally the Sunnis, the Iraqi 12 surgent Mr. Hill. ist regime unduly sympathetic to the ousted Baathists in Iraq, has allowed in the cable asserts, is directed to the Is- Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti làmic Supreme Council in Iraq, a lead¬ the Arab World." ing Shiite party that has also worked and Toward this end, Egypt promised to recounted that the Syrians had boasted to him during his years in exile closely with American officials, and its send a new ambassador to Baghdad, a that they were skilled in negotiating former militia, the Badr Corps. noteworthy move given that the previ¬ with ous cable about the meeting. Using an acronym for the Iranian gov¬ ernment, the ambassador Egyptian ambassador was kid¬ the Americans, according to a acknowl¬ napped by insurgents and killed in 2005. Of all Iraq's neighbors, Turkey has edged Iran's pragmatism: "The IRIG In a conversation with King Abdullah, forged one of the best working relations recognizes Mr. Mubarak advised the Saudi mon- with the that influence in Iraq re¬ quires operational (and at times ideo¬ logical) flexibility. As a result, it is not uncommon for the IRIG to finance and Like the Iranians, the Saudis key, the cables note, also played an im¬ have not hesitated to use portant behind-the-scenes role in help¬ support competing Shia, Kurdish, and to some extent, Sunni entities, with the aim of developing the Iraqi body pont¬ ing the United States and Iraq negotiate their money and political the security agreement that provides influence inside Iraq. for the withdrawal of American troops by the end of 2011. ic's dependency on Tehran's largesse." But Turkey has been unable to resist In a Sept! 24, 2009, cable titled "Prime Minister Accuses Iran of Trying to De¬ stabilize Iraq," Mr. Hill reported that Mr. Maliki had told him that Iran was arch "not to search for another man," the temptation to intervene in Iraq poli¬ but instead to accept Mr. Maliki, Mr. tics. Turkey, an April 2009 cabled noted, Suleiman confided. try to "control" the Iraqi Parliament and was prepared to provide military support to Shiite militants if political ef¬ forts failed. Iran, Mr. Hill quoted Mr. Maliki as saying, was trying to rally the Shiites to counter the "Saudi project to align the Sunni states." cables nonetheless reflect American concern that Dawa party offi¬ cials inserted into government posts by Mr. Maliki may have close ties to Iran. good ties with Mr. Maliki's principal Embassy's political officer notes Hadba Gathering," a Sunni led political group that prevailed in provincial elec¬ send an ambassador to Baghdad, but a tions in Nineveh Province in Iraq. Feb. 23, 2010, cable from the U.S. Em¬ According to a Jan. 31, 2010, cable bassy in Riyadh notes that King Abdul¬ from Mr. Hill, Turkey's ambassador to lah rolled out the red carpet for Mr. Baghdad, Murat Ozcelik, also opposed Allawi by inviting him to his desert en¬ Mr. Maliki's bid to win re-election in his campment. private discussions with American dip-, . Like the Iranians, the Saudis have not al influence inside Iraq, according to American diplomats. "For now the Saudis are using their money and media telligence of having power (al-Arabiyya, al-Sharqiya satel¬ Baathist ties with Dawa loyalists. After lite channels, and other various media pushback from Iraqi officials, and, ap¬ they control or influence) parently, interventions by American of¬ Sunni political aspirations, exert influ¬ ficials, the number of people accused of ence over Sunni tribal groups, and un¬ being Baathists who were to be fired dercut the was reduced. But a military intelligence Council of Iraq (ISCI) and Iraqi Nation¬ headquarters al Alliance (INA)," Mr. Hill's accused was forced to hire 47 Dawa political officers who were in exile in Iran during Mr. Hussein's rule "where they may have received intelli¬ diplomats and generals have told Arab leaders in the region that the best way to counter Iran's ambitions is to establish a good working relation¬ ship with Mr. Maliki, which means send¬ ing ambassadors to Baghdad and re¬ fraining from financing and mobilizing opposition groups or insurgents that seek to undermine him. But as Mr. Hill acknowledged "Great in Game," his cable American on the diplomats "still have work to do to convince them that a strong, stable, democratic (and inevitably Shia-led) Iraq is the best guarantee that Iraq will be able to shake Iranian manipulations and see its future bound up with that of the West and its Of all the Arab leaders in the region, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, the cables suggest, was the most sympa¬ to the American Islamic Mr. Maliki in the past, Mr. Ozcelik said it was backing his rivals now because the Turks believed that if the prime minis¬ ter was reelected he would "would fo¬ cus on increasing his own power and would not be cooperative in resolving outstanding issues," Mr. Hill reported. Supreme "Great Game" cable noted. And Mr. Talabani, the Iraqi president, complained in a Dec. 14, 2009, meeting approach, that the Saudis "had pressured Kuwait to backtrack on initial agreements with Iraq on issues dating to the Saddamera," a cable noted. (The cable quotes Mr. Talabani as saying that Qatar and Bahrain were seeking better ties with Iraq "despite Saudi opposition.") Syria has been another difficult neighbor. It has long been accused by the Iraqis of harboring senior Iraq Baath Party members aligned with the former regime, and allowing foreign fighters to sneak into Iraq. The Obama administration sought to improve ties with President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and even sent a team from the U.S. Cen¬ tral Command to Syria to discuss ways to better control the border. But after a moderate Arab neighbors." thetic Shia-led to support lomats. While Turkey had supported with a senior State Department official gence training," the cable notes. American tine financial support of the anti-Kurd al deal with the Iraqi prime minister or that Mr. Maliki has moved to replace in¬ officers provincial elections through its clandes¬ rival. They may have been unwilling to hesitated to use their money and politic¬ A February cable prepared by the U.S. "played an unhelpful role in recent Iraqi The Saudis, on the other hand, have trying to use its money and influence to Some Iraqi government and with Kurdish officials in northern Iraq. Tur¬ a policy that reflects Egypt's deep suspi¬ cions of Iran. Omar Suleiman, Egypt's intelligence chief, told Gen. David H. Petraeus in a June 2009 meeting that Egypt's goal was "to bring Iraq back to series of bombings in Baghdad in Au¬ gust 2009 that Mr. Maliki attributed to Syria, the Iraqis refused to participate in the discussions. In a December 2009 meeting with Jef¬ frey D. Feltman, an assistant secretary of state, Mr. Maliki, who lived in Syria for 16 years during Mr. Hussein's rule, described the Syrian leaders as more difficult to deal with than the Iranians 13 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti 3J Iraq's Kurds build up their own army IRBIL, Iraq, December 7, 2010 United Press International IRAQ'S have TWO long MAIN sought KURDISH an PARTIES, independent state which in their northern enclave, are building their own army and intelligence gripped apparatus by political as the country crisis stemming remains from incon¬ clusive elections in March. On Oct. 20, amid the political power struggle to form a coalition government, the Kurdistan Barham Salih, prime minister of Regional Government, extended his administration's powers to establish his direct control of the enclave's security and intelligence services. The Kurdistan Barzani, Democratic Party president of the KRG, is led and the by Masood PUK is headed by veteran guerrilla chief Jalal Talibani, Iraq's president. Salih set up a body known as the Council of the Assiyeh, which will function as a Kurdish security council. It will be headed by Karim Sanjani and Korsat Rasul, military chiefs for the KDP and the PUK. Kurdish sources say the two known as peshmerga parties' 80,000 Those Who Face fighters, Death will Intelligence Online, a Paris Web site that covers security reports that the process will be overseen by Jaafar Sheik Mustapha, the minister for the peshmerga. "He is said. being advised Mustafa January with by several Israeli consultants," Barzani Danny reportedly Yatom, met former in Vienna head of it in Israel's foreign intelligence service, the Mossad, "who has been tipped to coordinate the military merger." links to Israel's defense ministry have long been repor¬ aiding the Kurds, an balkanization of the security force will likely The Kurds have clung tenaciously to their ethnic iden¬ tity, throughout the cruel years of Baathist rule, largely under Saddam and then in the often chaotic post-U.S. their enclave became semi-auto¬ nomous under a federal government in Baghdad. The rebellious KDP and PUK set aside their often violent differences to help the Americans topple Saddam, who waged a genocidal war against them. Deep-rooted toward an Kurdish nationalism independent army has apart, been the move accelerated the emergence of an Iraqi military controlled by by Shiite leaders since Saddam was toppled. There are some 35,000 Kurds in the state army. To reduce KRG influence over Kurdish forces, Baghdad has deployed predominantly Kurdish brigades from the 2nd The Mossad and private Israeli defense companies with ted the increase" as the political crisis drags on. invasion years when be welded into a single Kurdish army of eight divisions. issues, of on-off relationship that goes and 3rd Divisions to the south. It is these forces that will form the backbone of the Baghdad, concerned at the planned Kurdish army. back four decades. The central government in The U.S. military withdrawal is having a serious impact on Kurdish planning. The peshmerga, sworn enemies of KRG's military plans, has suggested absorbing another 30,000 pershmerga into the national army. Saddam's regime, were the Americans' most dependa¬ ble allies during the 2003 invasion and the chaos that But the based ensued. KRG on has rejected increasing that, concern a that decision Kurdish apparently forces will inevitably be pushed into open conflict with state forces Now they find themselves losing a powerful ally at a over the oil-rich Kirkuk region. time when the Iranian-backed Shiite majority has taken control of the defense and interior ministries, which The tory. direct the military and security forces. Kurds claim During the region Saddam's rule, is historically part of terri¬ he drove out Kurds and Arabized the city. The peshmerga, many of them veterans of a long insur¬ gency against Saddam Hussein, remain relatively inde¬ The Kurds, who see the oil fields as the economic core of an independent state, have been reversing that pro¬ pendent and powerful in the north. cess since 2003. "Ultimately, will retain Texas whatever ultimate global their organization loyalty to the security status, Kurdish consultancy cause," Stratfor they the observed U.S. forces have kept the lid on the smoldering powder keg. But the fear is that it will eventually explode if no settlement has been reached once U.S. forces complete recently. their withdrawal. "The Kurdistan losing and its Regional security understanding interest Kurds aligning and guarantor with the against Arabs, Government, the consequences them decided to in a form realizing U.S. of is withdrawal Sunni-Shiite struggle a it unified between Kurdish army to defend their autonomy." The International Crisis Group has warned that "the risk 14 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti France: interpellation de 6 membres présumés du PKK près de Marseille PARIS, 7 décembre 2010 (AFP) parisien dans le cadre d'une enquête sur le financement du PKK. Certains seraient également impliqués dans des jets de cocktails Molotov à Marignane, ville proche de Marseille, selon une source proche de l'en¬ SIX membres présumés de l'organisation séparatiste kurde PKK ont quête. été interpellés mardi dans la région de Marseille (sud de la France) à la demande d'un juge antiterroriste parisien, a-t-on appris de sources A Marseille, environ 250 personnes, selon la police, ont manifesté dans proches de l'enquête. l'après-midi pour protester contre ces arrestations. Ces six personnes, parmi lesquelles figure "un membre important au Le cortège, composé d'hommes, de femmes et d'enfants de la commu¬ niveau européen" du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), ont été nauté kurde, a défilé pacifiquement sur la Canebière aux cris de "Libérez arrêtées mardi matin dans la région de Marseille par des policiers de la nos camarades!". La manifestation s'est dispersée sans incident. Une Direction centrale du renseignement intérieur (DCRI) et des policiers mar¬ délégation de quatre seillais. République de Marseille, Jacques Dallest. personnes a été reçue par le procureur de la Elles ont été placées en garde à vue à Marseille, disposition qui permet de Le PKK est considéré comme une organisation terroriste par la Turquie, les garder pendant quatre jours. l'Union européenne et les Etats-Unis. Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de 45.000 morts depuis le début de l'insurrection du PKK, en 1984, selon Elles ont été interpellées sur commission rogatoire d'un juge antiterroriste l'armée. Irak: Rapts entre kurdes et sunnites à Kirkouk KIRKOUK (Irak), 12 decembr 2010 (AFP) cheikh al-Ezzi avaient négocié un tel échange il y a deux mois. Le 28 octobre, La police de Kirkouk avait accepté, pour la première fois, DES INCONNUS ont kidnappé la belle-soeur d'un haut gradé kurde de d'échanger cinq insurgées proches d'AI-Qaïda contre deux filles d'un nota¬ la police et ce rapt a été suivi par l'enlèvement d'un chef tribal et de ble kurde kidnappées quelques heures plus tôt. sa fille dans la région multiethnique de Kirkouk, a indiqué dimanche "Nous avons joué un rôle pour que soient relâchées cinq femmes arabes, la police. arrêtées pour leur implication dans des crimes terroristes, en échange de Samedi soir à Ghamata, un quartier du sud de la ville pétrolière de la libération des deux filles", âgées d'une vingtaine d'années, avait affirmé Kirkouk, à 240 km au nord de Bagdad, quatre hommes vêtus d'uniforme à l'époque le colonel kurde Arras ai-Kaki, chef des unités anti-terroristes à militaire, ont fait irruption dans la maison d'un policier kurde Hamed Taher Kirkouk. al-Barzanchi. "Deux des cinq criminelles libérées sont les femmes de deux chefs Ils l'ont bâillonné et menotte avant d'enlever sa femme Haifa Abdel Saheb, d'Ansar al-Sunna actuellement détenus", avait-il ajouté en affirmant avoir 25 ans. Ce policier est le frère du chef du département des affaires inter¬ voulu ainsi éviter des troubles dans la ville. nes de la police de Kirkouk, le colonel Mohammad Taher al-Barzanchi, a Quatre insurgés d'Ansar al-Sunna avaient enlevé les deux filles de Walid affirmé cette source qui soupçonne le groupe d'insurgés Ansar al-Sunna Jalal ai-Kaki, un homme d'affaires kurde de 55 ans proche du Parti démo¬ d'être l'auteur du rapt. cratique du Kurdistan (PDK de Massoud Barzani). Deux heures plus tard à Abou Mohammad, un village à 35 km au sud de Les ravisseurs avaient proposé d'échanger les deux filles, contre cinq fem¬ Kirkouk, un autre groupe armé a pénétré au domicile du chef de la tribu mes et deux hommes arrêtés deux semaines plus tôt dans un maison du sunnite d'Ezza et ont enlevé cheikh Sayyah Thabet al-Ezzi, 52 ans, et sa centre de Kirkouk, où se trouvaient des armes et des documents d'Ansar fille Rima, 18 ans. al-Sunna. Mais finalement, l'échange n'avait concerné que les cinq prison¬ Le chef de la police de la province de Kirkouk, le général Jamal Taher nières. Baker, a confirmé le rapt de la femme du policier et a accusé "les criminels Fondé en 2003, Ansar al-Sunna est une coalition de groupes salafistes de chercher à susciter un conflit ethnique au sein des communautés de surtout actifs dans le nord de l'Irak. Il a revendiqué plusieurs enlèvements Kirkouk". d'étrangers et leur décapitation. "La police ne doit pas échanger des personnes enlevées contre des déte¬ Kirkouk est une province multi-ethnique que se disputent les Kurdes, le nus car cela encourage les terroristes et le troc qui a eu lieu récemment Arabes et les Turcomans. était une erreur", a-t-il ajouté. Le colonel Mohammad al-Barzanchi et Un rebelle kurde tué lors de combats avec l'armée dans l'est de la Turquie indiqué ces sources. DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 11 décembre 2010 (AFP) L'incident survient alors que le PKK a décrété à la mi-août une trêve uni¬ latérale, qu'il a ensuite prolongée jusqu'aux prochaines élections législa¬ tives, prévues pour juin 2011, dans le but de favoriser les initiatives du UN REBELLE KURDE a été tué samedi lors de combats avec les for¬ gouvernement turc visant à en finir avec ce conflit. ces de sécurité dans le sud-est de la Turquie, ont affirmé des sour¬ ces locales de sécurité. Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait, selon les chiffres de l'armée, plus de 45.000 morts depuis le début de l'insurrection du PKK, en 1984. Le PKK L'accrochage est survenu dans une zone rurale proche du village de Caliskan, dans la province de Batman, quand une patrouille de l'armée a est considéré comme une organisation terroriste par la Turquie, les Etats-Unis et l'Union européenne. surpris un groupe de rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), qui a répliqué aux appels à se rendre par des coups de feu, ont 15 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti REUTERS Iraqi Kurd leader says Kirkuk belongs to Kurdistan ARBIL, Iraq, December 11 (Reuter) - By Shamal Aqrawi IRAQI KURDISH leader Masoud Barzani said Saturday that his semi-autonomous region has the right to self-deter¬ mination and to the disputed city of Kirkuk, which is loca¬ ted above some of Iraq's largest oil reserves. The fate of Kirkuk is one of the main issues of contention bet¬ ween the Kurdish region and the central government in Baghdad, which are locked in disputes over land and some of the world's richest oilfields. reserves. The city's population is a mix of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen and others. Iraq recently postponed a national census that could deter¬ Barzani told a congress of his Kurdistan Democratic Party in mine what percentage of Kirkuk's population is Kurdish, a Arbil that Kurdistan's right to Kirkuk was non-negotiable. key step toward resolving whether the city should be part of Kurdistan. "The Kurdish identity of Kirkuk is not a matter of bargaining," Tensions he said. surrounding the census have escalated recently. Some Arab families have said they are being ordered to leave At the same event, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he the city before the population count. would meet the constitutional deadline to form Iraq's new government. He was charged on November 25 with putting together a cabinet and had 30 days to deliver. Barzani sought to dispel concerns about Kirkuk's future. "If there were fears that the Kurds would rule unilaterally in Iraq has been without a new government for more than nine case Kirkuk is joined to Kurdistan, I would like to reassure months after a March election failed to produce a clear winner. everyone that we want to make Kirkuk an example of coexis¬ tence," he said. Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish factions squabbled for months over position and power before finally reaching a compromise last While previous party congresses had discussed and "confir¬ month that would include all the major political blocs in the med the right to self-determination" for Kurdistan, Barzani next government. said this year it would be a fundamental issue on the agenda. KIRKUK'S HOME? Maliki's pledge to name his new government by the constitu¬ tional deadline could be a sign of the difficulty of reaching Barzani's region and Iraq's central government have argued for years whether Arbil had the right to sign oil development contracts with foreign oil companies. Baghdad says Iraqi oil resources are under its jurisdiction and calls agreement with rival political blocs on specific nominees for cabinet posts. He had previously said he would name a cabi¬ net by mid-December. the Kurdish "The region's contracts illegal. government will see the light in this constitutional period and before the limit of 30 days," Maliki told the KDP The disagreement shut down oil exports from the region last congress. year and they have yet to restart, although the oil ministers of both sides have said recently that exports should begin early "I call upon all the blocs to accelerate submitting their nomi¬ next year. nees and not to stop long for minor issues," he said. Central to the territorial disputes is the fate of Kirkuk, which U.S. officials say may be sitting on 4 percent of the world's La Provence 11 DECEMBRE 2010 Les Kurdes manifestent contre toutes les répressions des pour dénoncer "la pression exercée par Calanques", une autre manifesta¬ les autorités françaises sur la commu¬ Dans le sillage des "pro-parc tion a attiré l'attention des Marseillais, nauté kurde de Marseille". cet après-midi sur la Canebière : celle organisée à l'appel du Collectif médi¬ Les représentants locaux du Parti com¬ terranéen pour les droits de l'Homme muniste ont notamment exprimé leur en Turquie. Un défilé qui a réuni lui solidarité aussi Maison près d'un millier de personnes avec du les peuple responsables kurde, de la boulevard réclamant non seulement l'arrêt de la Longchamp, répression de la minorité kurde par le récemment l'objet d'une perquisition. gouvernement 16 turc, mais également dont les locaux ont fait Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Irak: Massoud Barzani revendique le droit à l'autodétermination pour les Kurdes 11 décembre. 2010 De Abdel Hamid ZEBARI (AFP) - ERBIL , Le président de la région autonome du Kurdistan irakien, Massoud Barzani, a revendiqué samedi lors du congrès de son parti le droit à l'autodétermination pour les Kurdes, ce qui pourrait être un prélude à une scission de l'Irak. "Nous allons soumettre aujourd'hui la question de l'autodétermination aux personnes participant à ce congrès, car nous considérons que nous avons droit à l'autodétermination", a-t-il déclaré lors d'un discours au début du 1 3e congrès du Parti démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK), dont il est le chef. C'est la première fois que le dirigeant kurde propose en des termes aussi clairs à son parti de se prononcer sur une possible indépendance du Kurdistan irakien, qui bénéficie depuis une vingtaine d'années d'une large Souleimaniyeh), s'est véritablement émancipé de la tutelle de Bagdad autonomie vis-à-vis du gouvernement central de Bagdad. après la guerre du Golfe, en 1991. Le congrès du PDK s'est ouvert en présence notamment du président ira¬ Mais le Kurdistan a ensuite été divisé par la guerre impitoyable que se sont kien Jalal Talabani, chef de l'Union patriotique du Kurdistan (UPK), du livrée l'UPK et le PDK de fin 1994 à 1998, qui a fait 3.000 morts. Premier ministre désigné Nouri al-Maliki et d'Iyad Allawi, chef de file d'Iraqiya, liste laïque soutenue par une majorité de sunnites et qui a obtenu le plus de sièges au Parlement de Bagdad lors des dernières législatives. Les 1 .300 membres du PDK seront appelés à voter sur la question de l'au¬ todétermination, a indiqué une source au sein du parti, sans préciser quand ce scrutin aurait lieu. Les deux partis se sont réconciliés sous les auspices de Washington au point de s'allier pour les élections de 2005, qui ont porté Massoud Barzani à la présidence de la région. Le Kurdistan possède son propre Parlement et dispose de prérogatives étendues dans tous les domaines, à l'exception des Affaires étrangères et de la Défense. Le PDK constitue la principale force politique du Kurdistan, et la coalition qu'il forme avec l'UPK est majoritaire au Parlement régional depuis les élec¬ tions de 2009. Une autonomie qui s'est maintes fois heurtée ces dernières années à l'au¬ torité du gouvernement central, notamment sur la question des contrats pétroliers qu'il a signés avec des compagnies étrangères, et que Bagdad Le parti doit en outre se doter de nouvelles instances dirigeantes, compo¬ sées d'une cinquantaine de membres. ne reconnaît pas. Les Kurdes revendiquent en outre de vastes portions de territoires hors de Le PDK est l'une des composantes de la coalition au pouvoir en Irak. Et M. leurs frontières administratives actuelles, principalement dans la province Barzani vient de jouer un rôle crucial pour dénouer la crise politique dans riche en pétrole de Kirkouk, mais aussi dans celles de Ninive (nord), laquelle l'Irak s'est enfoncé après les élections du 7 mars. Salaheddine et Diyala (centre). C'est en effet lui qui est parvenu à arracher le mois dernier aux dirigeants "Quand Kirkouk reviendra dans le giron de la région, nous en ferons un des principales formations irakiennes un accord de partage de pouvoir, qui exemple de coexistence (...) et de gouvernance partagée, mais nous ne a ouvert la voie à l'attribution des plus hautes charges du pays, après huit négocierons pas son identité", a déclaré M. Barzani dans son discours. mois d'impasse. Fils de Moustafa Barzani, dirigeant de l'éphémère république kurde procla¬ M. Maliki a encore 15 jours pour former son prochain gouvernement. Après une première forme d'autonomie obtenue dans les années 1970, le mée en 1946 à Mahabad, en Iran, Massoud Barzani dirige le PDK depuis 1979. Kurdistan, qui rassemble trois provinces du nord de l'Irak (Erbil, Dohouk et M REUTERS Irak - Barzani réaffirme l'identité kurde de la ville de Kirkouk kiennes relèvent de sa responsabilité et tient pour sans valeur ERBIL, Irak, 11 décembre (Reuters) -by Shamal Aqrawi les accords conclus par les autorités semi-autonomes avec des compagnies étrangères. MASSOUD BARZANI, leader des Kurdes d'Irak, a affirmé samedi que la ville de Kirkouk appartenait au Kurdistan et que son statut n'était pas négociable. "L'identité kurde de Kirkouk n'est pas sujet à des marchanda¬ ges", a déclaré Massoud Barzani à la tribune du congrès du Parti démocratique du Kurdistan. Kirkouk, dont le sous-sol regorge de réserves pétrolières, est au coeur d'un litige entre les autorités semi-autonomes du Kurdistan irakien et le pouvoir central, qui se disputent le L'imbroglio a conduit l'an dernier à la suspension des expor¬ tations pétrolières en provenance de la région de Kirkouk, suspension toujours en vigueur. La composition démographique de Kirkouk complique la situation: la population de la ville mêle Kurdes, Arabes, Turkmènes et autres communautés. Le pouvoir irakien a décidé fin novembre de reporter le pre¬ mier recensement complet du pays depuis 1987, qui aurait pu fournir des éléments de règlement du litige. droit de signer des contrats d'exploitation du brut. Bagdad soutient que la totalité des ressources pétrolières ira 17 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti ^INTERNATIONAL aenUCTfcBrUmne December s, 2010 war in 1991. That census put the coun¬ try's population at 19 million. Wary of facing facts, A new one would measure the pro¬ found demographic shifts in Iraq after the Iraq postpones census U.S. invasion in 2003, including wholesale movements of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds in the country and the flight of millions of Iraqis abroad. Barham Salih, the prime minister of KIRKUK, IRAQ conducted last Sunday. They have done the Kurdish region, called the latest so despite a constitutional obligation to census delay a setback to the nascent hold one as long ago as 2007, when sec¬ BY STEVEN LEE MYERS tarian bloodshed made it inconceivable. Here in this contested city, as in much of Iraq, numbers are not facts. They ate assertions. . how many people live here now and who? from regional officials, each laced with underlying political motives and threats of impending violence. The simplest way to resolve the mat¬ ter would be a national census, some¬ thing Iraq has not conducted in full for nearly a quarter of a century. Its plans so, however, have become so mired in ethnic and sectarian discord that many here fear the results would tear the country apart. The population of Kirkuk, the main city of a region rich in oil and rife with sectarian tension side," the country's prime minister, Nuri grant our province to Kurdistan." Kama! al-Maliki, said in a statement after invite a bewildering swirl of answers do "If we go to the census now, it means we will tiie past was due to the conditions experi¬ enced in Iraq, especially on the security Even the simplest questions to "The postponement of the census in is either 1.3 million, 1.4 million or 1.6 million, officials here say, though a U.N. report in 2009 cited es¬ timates that it was fewer than a million. The number of Arabs who have left since the American invasion in 2003 might be 250,000, or not; the number of Kurds who have since arrived is said to be far higher, or not. Turkmens once made up 60 percent of the city of Kirkuk, compared with 30 percent now. Maybe. " No one can give you an accurate num¬ ber," said Ali Medhi Sadiq, a Turkmen member of Kirkuk's provincial council. Iraq's leaders have repeatedly sched¬ uled a census, only to repeatedly post¬ the latest postponement. Now, he added, "there are no more security reasons." coalition. "We need to have the confi¬ What there is, is a fear that a census dence and courage to tackle some of might turn assertions into facts, espe¬ these issues head on," He said in an in¬ cially in the disputed regions of Kirkuk, terview Nineveh and Diyala, where ethnic iden- ' northeast of Kirkuk. tity looms ominously over every issue, in Rather Dokan, than a lakeside setting a resort new date, from political power to the spoils of land though, Mr.Maliki's government has in¬ and oil. At the heart of the problem are stead established a committee to try to disputed territories arcing from the Ira¬ resolve the underlying impasse, includ¬ nian border to the Syrian that the Kurds ing Sunni complaints that the census want to absorb into their semiautonom- will not be conducted accurately in parts ous region in northern Iraq. In the zero- of Nineveh and Kirkuk provinces under sum politics of today's Iraq, Arab and Kurdish control. Originally planned for Turkmen 2007, then October 2009, October 2010 leaders in those territories warn that an accurate population count and would bolster Kurdish claims. So they likely to be postponed indefinitely. have vowed to boycott any census. "If we go to the census now," said a this, month, the census appears "Delaying it has only delayed a prob¬ lem, making it more complicated," Mr. Sunni tribal leader in Kirkuk, Sheik Ab¬ Salih said of the census. "This will only dul Rahman Minshid al-Aasi, "it means feed the paranoia. This will only feed the we will grant our province to Kurdistan.' ' mistrust. This will only feed the sense of The last full census in Iraq was done a lack of confidence in the leadership of in 1987. Ten years later Saddam Hus¬ this country that ultimately does not sein's government conducted one with¬ want to solve its problems.' ' out including the three Kurdish provinces: Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaimaniya, which were slipping out of Bagh¬ dad's control under U.S. and U.N. pro¬ tections dating from the Persian Gulf pone it, most recently one to have been . INTERNATIONAL îtealbiiatiSribunc December 13.2010 A new exodus of Iraqi Christians J;Thisi exodus, which is not the first, QOSH, IRAQ BY STEVEN LEE MYERS and the hear resolution of the political Jews," said Nassir Sharhoom, 47, who A new wave of Iraqi Christians has fled impasse that gripped the country after fled last month to the Kurdish capital, to northern Iraq or abroad amid a cam¬ elections in March. Erbil, with his family from Dora, a once- paign of targeted violence and growing It threatens to reduce further what fear that the country's security forces Archdeacon Emanuel Youkhana of the 1 are unable or, more ominously, unwill¬ Assyrian Church of the East called "a ing to protect them. The flight involving thousands of j residents from Baghdad and Mosul, in I particular "' ""*."" "It's exactly what happened to the mixed neighborhood in Baghdad. ' 'They want us all to go.' ' Iraq's leaders, including Prime Minis¬ ter Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, have pledged . even before Christ." to tighten security and appealed for tol¬ Those who fled the latest violence many of them in a panicked rush, with 1 at a church in Baghdad that killed 51 only the possessions they could pack in j worshipers and 2 priests, and a sub- cars sequent series of bombings and assassi- in 1948.' community whose roots were in Iraq followed a siege on Oct. 31 : n ations singling out Christians. 18 Iraq's Jews after the founding of Israel displacement of Iraqis despite improved security overall erance for minority faiths in what is an overwhelmingly Muslim country. "The Christian is an Iraqi," he said' warned that the new violence after visiting those wounded in the siege presaged the demise of the faith in Iraq. of the church, Our Lady of Salvation, the Several evoked the mass departure of worst single act of violence against Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Christians since 2003. "He is the son of Iraq and from the depths of a civilization that we are proud of." For those who fled, though, such pro¬ nouncements have met with growing skepticism. The daily threats, the uncer¬ tainty and palpable terror many face have overwhelmed even the pleas of Christian leaders not to abandon their historic place in a diverse Iraq. "Their faith in God is strong," said the Rev. Gabriele Tooma, who heads the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, part of the Chaldean Catholic Church here in Qosh, which opened its monastic rooms to 25 families in recent weeks. "It is their faith in the government that has weakened." Christians, of course, are not the only victims of the bloodshed that has swept Iraq since the than seven and a half years ago; Sunni and A shelter in Qosh. Iraq's leaders have pledged to tighten security for minority faiths. U.S.-led invasion more Shiite Arabs have died on a far greater scale. Only two days after the The U.S. Commission on Internation¬ The United Nations has registered more than 1,100 families. A steady flow of Christians to Turkey spiked in No¬ attack on the church, a dozen bombs , tore through Sunni and Shiite neighbor¬ hoods in Baghdad, killing at least 68 and Christians and other president and Congress, said that the nominal protections for religious minor¬ ities The Kurdish regional government in in Iraq including Christians, Yazidis and Sabean Mandeans, follow¬ northern Iraq offered itself as a haven ers of St. John the Baptist smaller and pledged to help refugees with hous¬ stop violence or official discrimination wounding hundreds. The vember to 243, an official there said. al Religious Freedom, appointed by the did Utile to minority groups here, however, have ing and jobs. Many of those who fled are in employment, housing and other mat¬ been targeted explicitly and have emig¬ wealthy enough to afford rents in Kur¬ ters. rated in disproportionate numbers. Ac¬ distan; others have moved in with rela¬ It noted that few of the attacks against cording High tives; the worst off have ended up at the minority groups were ever properly in¬ these monastery here and another nearby, St. vestigated or prosecuted, "creating a for 20 percent of the Matthew's, one of the oldest Christian climate of impunity." to the United Commissioner groups Iraqis for account who have Nations Refugees, gone abroad, while they were only 3 percent of the coun¬ try's prewar population. monasteries in the world. "The violence, forced displacement, There have been previous exoduses, discrimination, marginalization and especially from Mosul. In October 2008, neglect suffered by members of these more than 12,000 Christians left after a groups threaten these ancient commu¬ number wave of assassinations killed 14 Christi¬ nities' very existence in Iraq," the com¬ 800,000 to 1.4 million before the invasion ans. In February of this year, more than mission said in its latest annual report, 4,000 fled to the Kurdish-controlled re¬ in May. More than community, half of Iraq's estimated Christian to in 2003, have already left the country. The Islamic State of Iraq, an iteration of the insurgent Mesopotamia, group claimed Al Qaeda in responsibility gion in Nineveh or to Syria after 10 Christians were killed. Last week, security officials an¬ nounced the arrest of insurgents who When violence ebbed after each ex¬ they said planned the attack on Our for the suicidal siege and said its fight¬ odus, many returned to their homes and Lady of Salvation; those who actually ers jobs, though not all, leaving fewer and carried it out died when Iraqi forces would kill Christians "wherever fewer Christians. By one estimate, only they can reach them." stormed the church. They offered few details, though, and a spokesman for the What followed last month were dozens of shootings and bombings in Baghdad "When the army comes U.S. military, which regular joins Iraqi and Mosul, the two cities outside of the and says we cannot forces during such arrests, said he had semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region in no information on those arrested. protect you, what else Archdeacon Emanuel said the gov¬ Iraq. At least a dozen more Christians died, eight of them in Mosul. can you believe?" ernment needed to do more to preserve a community that has been under siege Three generations of the Gorgiz family 15 in all morning of Nov. 23 as the killings spread. Crowded into a single room at the mon¬ astery in Qosh, they described living in a state of virtual siege, afraid to wear crosses on the streets, afraid to work or even leave their houses in the end. The night before they left, Diana Gor¬ giz, 35, said she heard voices and then screams; someone had. set fire to the garden of a neighbor's house. The Iraqi Army arrived and stayed until morning, only to tell family members they were not safe there anymore. The Gorgizes took it as a warning of complicity, tacit and an indication or otherwise, by "When the army comes and says we cannot protect you," Ms. Gorgiz said, "what else can you believe?" There is no exact accounting of those have fled internally or abroad, though the number is believed to be sev¬ eral thousand. from the first mas¬ 5,000 of the 100,000 Christians who once sacre of Christians in lived in Mosul remain. after the creation of the modern Iraqi "I expect that â month from now not a Sumail in 1933 nation, to the dictatorship of Saddam single Christian will be left in Mosul," Hussein, to today's nihilistic extremism Nelson P. Khoshaba, an engineer in the that, in his words, has taken Islam hos¬ city's waterworks, said in Erbil, where he tage. joined a chaotic scrum of people trying to register with the local authorities there. The displacement of Christians has continued despite the legal protections that the Iraqi Constitution offers reli¬ Invitations by European countries for Christians to emigrate after the attack, he said, would only hasten the depar¬ ture of more, which ' 'is not a solution.' ' Instead, the latest violence should gious and ethnic minorities, though Is¬ give impetus to the creation of an auton¬ lam is the official state religion and no omous Christian enclave in the part of law can be passed contradicting its ba¬ Nineveh Province near here that is now sic tenets. under the control of the Kurdish region. Christians have a quota of 5 seats in Iraq's security forces. who in Iraq for decades fled their homes there on the the new 325-member Parliament, That idea, though, has little political support in Baghdad or Kurdistan. though little political influence. Christ¬ "What happened has been done re¬ mas was declared a national holiday in peatedly and systematically," he said. 2008, but celebrations are muted, and in "We have seen it in Mosul, in Baghdad. Kirkuk, a tensely disputed city north of The message is very clear: Baghdad, Iraqi Christians from the roots and force Christmas Mass celed altogether last year. was can¬ to pluck them out of the country.' ' 19 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti ENERGY, INVESTMENT DEALS M REUTERS A day before Maliki's visit to Ankara, Turkish oil company TPAO won deals to develop two Iraqi gas fields, a sign of Turkey, Iran Ankara's ambitions to become an energy bridge between Europe and the Middle East. battle for clout, TPAO also has small stakes in two Iraqi oilfields, among a series of deals Iraq signed with global firms in a bid to qua¬ druple its crude output capacity to Saudi levels. deals in Iraq As Baghdad ment, embarks foreign on investors unprecedented also are eyeing energy develop¬ opportunities in industry and infrastructure. War-damaged Iraq is starving for December 8, 2010 (Reuters) By Rania El Gamal housing and electricity investments. Turkish construction firms are building houses in Arbil, BAGHDAD - Turkish clothing and beer are hot sellers in Turkish goods flood the malls and many young Kurds spend the streets of Arbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdish north. Far holidays in Istanbul, where some learn to speak the language. to the south, Iranian cars roam the streets of Basra and About 55 percent of the foreign firms in Iraqi Kurdistan - 640 Iranian pilgrims flock to Iraq's holy sites. of 1,170 - are from Turkey, which expects bilateral trade of Sunni Ankara and Shi'ite Tehran, old rivals turned friends, about $6 billion last year to grow to $20 billion in four years. are vying for post-war economic clout in neighboring Iraq to Iran has invested in power plants, schools and factories in capitalize on an expected oil boom, and have been flexing Iraq, and expects exports to rise to more than $8 billion in their muscles in Baghdad's government formation talks, 2010 from $6 billion a year ago despite Western-backed eco¬ diplomats and politicians said. nomic sanctions aimed at curbing business with the Islamic Already one of Iraq's main trade partners, Turkey wants a bigger foothold in its southern neighbor through increased Republic. Iranian-made Saipa and Peugeot cars are common on the investment to counter Iran's growing influence and to boost roads and some Iraqis favor an illegally imported Iranian its stature as a regional economic and political power. liquor. Turkish companies are top investors in hotels, real estate, industry and energy in Iraq's semi-autonomous "It is best described as the latest manifestation of a latent and northern sometimes overt Iranian-Turkish rivalry that has existed in Kurdish region, and increasingly in the Shi'ite south where the region for decades and centuries," said Gala Riani, Middle Iranian influence had been almost unchallenged. East Analyst at IHS Global Insight. Iran is Iraq's main trading partner and has been one of the lar¬ "Iran and Turkey have each historically considered themsel¬ gest investors in its construction and industrial sectors since ves as being the bigger political, economic and military the fall of Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein. power of the region. In Iraq, both sides are capitalizing on the "It is clear that they are competing, specifically in Turkey's vast economic effort to dam in Iranian influence. Iran has undoubtedly gai¬ south and the north." opportunities that are present in both the ned a significant role in Iraq since 2003, and from about 2007 on, Turkey has started to push back," said Joost Hiltermann of the International Crisis Group. KURDISH FEARS "They are holding each other in balance." Turkey and Iran also have an interest in a stable Iraq as they seek a solution to their decades-long conflict with separatist Ankara, which spent years focusing its diplomacy on Europe, has turned its attention to the Middle East and an emerging Kurdish rebels, who fight for an ethnic homeland for Kurds. Like Iraq, Turkey and Iran have large Kurdish minorities. role as a neutral mediator and economic power. It has lobbied for an inclusive Iraq government that does not exclude mino¬ "Turkey remains justifiably somewhat wary of Iran and, to some degree, still a rival. However, Ankara's AKP-dominated rity Sunnis. government has sought to improve relations with Tehran, in Tehran, a regional Shi'ite power, made sure Iraq's majority Shi'ites tightened their grip on power by backing a merger between the country's main Shi'ite blocs, part to reduce the likelihood of regional conflict," said Wayne White, a scholar at the Middle East Institute. guaranteeing incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki another term, poli¬ "In Iraq, both Turks and Iranians have no desire for greater ticians said. Kurdish autonomy. Both seek greater influence in Baghdad, although Iran clearly holds the upper hand in that respect." Maliki, a Shi'ite, visited Turkey and Iran in October as part of a tour to gain regional backing for his bid to form Iraq' new But Iraqi political analyst Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie said Turkey government in exchange for investment deals. may win growing influence in Iraq, at least in the short term, as a more neutral party that can win acceptance from all Iraq's Arab neighbours and the United States are worried sides. about Iran's growing clout in Iraq, particularly as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw by end of 2011, tempting anxious neigh¬ bours to vie for influence in Baghdad. "With the rising pressure of the international community and increase of sanctions and hints of military actions against Iran, the near future will witness a rise for the Turkish role," "They (Turkey) are doing this throughout Iraq, in Kurdistan he said. as well as in Baghdad and even Basra, which is not usually an area of Turkish influence," said Hiltermann. "The presence of "The Turkish role has the blessing of the international com¬ a Turkish consulate in Basra is very much part of a strategy to munity and is backed by Arab countries. It has not met any dam in Iranian influence in Iraq through investments and Iraqi trade." objections from the Shi'ites, or with the Iranians, who faced objection, as happened with objections from the Sunnis," he said. 20 the Saudis, who faced Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti The Kurds: coping with globalpost DECEMBER 6, 2010 cultural identity suppression Kurdish people in southeastern Turkey face daily reminders of the suppression of their culture. Life for a Kurdish family is mar¬ By Shanika Gunaratna ked different on the foreigners of (Northwestern Univ.) Student Diyarbakir than in the city. In the Correspondent Corps villages, degree HIYARBAKIR, E9 Americans the city Turkey have of Most never Diyarbakir. heard To where Kurds removed are from one official authority, people feel much freer of to most speak the Kurdish language and pass it on to their children. Turks, it's a city in the country's volatile Photo: southeast region, closely associated with balpost.com Shanika Gunaratna/glo- the Kurdish resistance movement. To the Kurds who live there, however, it is not only a home but much more: It is a hub of sersby to weigh themselves on rickety public. The Kurdish language is spoken Kurdish scales for small change. only behind closed doors, within families and those that threaten it. Though characterized as one of the most Kurdish to a police officer or low-level conservative regions in Turkey, southeast government Here, the hum of Turkish fighter jets is Turkey contains a prism of attitudes and affront to established order, and one can¬ language and culture caught between the forces that define daily life part of the soundtrack is considered an life. styles. Some women are fully covered, not not a strand of hair or square inch of skin public without a quick look over one's planes are headed two hours southeast of exposed. They wear black burqas that shoulder. Diyarbakir border drag to the floor and have sparse, sequi- where Turkish armed forces are engaged ned details. On the same street, there are Southeast Turkey stands in stark contrast in a prolonged struggle with the mem¬ young women in tight jeans and rhines- to its surrounding regions. In northern bers of the PKK (the Kurdistan Worker's tone-studded tops, hair pulled back with Iraq, for instance, the word "Kurdistan" Party). The struggle reached new heights bobby this black lines and blue shadows. Turkey's summer when, daily official Flying overhead nearly everyday, these to of and far from official contexts. To speak volatile after a 14-month pins, eyes done with dramatic Turkish military (as GlobalPost reported). exists just off the in however, exists in is semi-autonomous, and every¬ thing from road signs to news outlets "attrac¬ assert proud Kurdish ownership over the radar. The city's most striking Diyarbakir, openly tourist's tion" lies in the ancient basalt city wall Life issues is spoken without a second thought in ment Diyarbakir Kurdish public, the Kurdish provincial govern¬ cease-fire, the PKK stepped up attacks on the discuss land. that surrounds the inner, old city. Largely beyond the border battles, beyond the unknown outside of Turkey, the wall is But progress is coming, if slowly. In July, headlines, the second largest in the world after to Turkey the Great Wall of China. law that had equated protest activities beyond the often tense Kurdish-Turkish relations. The popula¬ tion of Diyarbakir has soared in recent softened a 2006 anti-terrorism with being a member of a terrorist group years, with displaced families streaming Just a few minutes outside of the walls, and in to escape border violence. Many of the pounding noise of the city vanishes. peripheral these families boast eight, nine, 10 chil¬ The transition is sudden, from crowded this dren. urban convicted of terrorist activity for actions roads and haggling vendors to effectively law, made the PKK's supporters terrorists. 174 minors under 18 most Under were dusty streets, small square houses, and such as being present at a rally, singing a Thus Diyarbakir has ballooned from a sprawling pro-PKK chant, or throwing stones, as mid-sized, vaguely metropolitan city to patches. one bursting at the seams with one-and- Diyarbakir, many individuals choose to the government's hard-line stance chan¬ a-half million residents. There are chil¬ speak their native Kurdish over Turkish. ged, minors charged for such activity are cucumber Here, on and the watermelon fringes of dren everywhere. There are many unem¬ the New York Times reported. But since now taken to juvenile courts, not courts ployed who try to make a living as lone In the central city, this does not happen. entrepreneurs selling Marlboro cigarettes While Diyarbakir is an overwhelmingly or wind-up stuffed animals. There are Kurdish city, Kurdish culture is largely This summer in Diyarbakir, I taught mul¬ boys invisible. There are no Kurdish flags in timedia journalism in small clusters soliciting pas- for serious security crimes. agers, some to Turkish, a class most of teen¬ Kurdish. Careful not to get anywhere close to poli¬ tics in my instruction, I focused on tack¬ This extended family lives in a cluster of small stones hou¬ ses in a village 20 minutes outside of Diyarbakir. The Kurdish population in eastern Turkey is visually surprising, with appearances ranging from blond hair and blue eyes tan skin and black hair. Photo: Shanika Gunaratna/globalpost.com ling social issues through the lens of the individual. By telling the story of a suc¬ cessful paraplegic musician, for instance, readers can learn about local medical ser¬ vices. By doing a profile on a 10-year-old child trying to supplement his family's income through odd jobs, you can learn about slack child labor laws. Never in the class could we openly discuss Kurdish issues, Kurdish-Turkish relations or pro¬ test activities the very issues that spill out of Diyarbakir and make headlines 21 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti without risking a knock on the door. Once, while surfing the internet with "They want this to be their own coun¬ to person, parent to child and friend to try. I friend, attitudes are cemented and rein¬ don't like it." She crinkled her forced nose. one of my Turkish students, we stum¬ bled upon an article over time. reflected about Kurds in That crinkled nose was a lesson: While southeast Turkey. "Do you know about official policies beget change in small, . . . the Kurds?" she asked, pronouncing incremental steps, attitudes are a much "Kurds" slowly as if it was a dirty word more powerful, resistant force in places she had just learned on the school bus. like Diyarbakir. Passed on from person reality, That and crinkled was a nose painful gauge of progress still to be made. Barzani backs Kurdish referendum Prominent Iraqi Kurdish leader tells party congress that northern region has right to self-determination. 11 DECEMBER 2010 Al Jazeera Aprominent Iraqi Kurdish leader has called for the right to self-determination for his region, the AFP news agency Massoud Maliki, says. Barzani's Iraq's remarks prime on Saturday minister-designate, came is as Nuri al- attempting to form a cabinet, in which Barzani's bloc is expected to obtain several ministerial posts. Speaking at a congress of his Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Barzani said "the issue of self-determination", which he considered "a right", would be presented to those atten¬ ding the conference "to be studied and discussed". Iraq's Kurdistan region remains mired in disputes with cen¬ tral government authorities in Baghdad over land and oil Barzani, right, was instrumental in forging a compromise between key Iraqi parties in November [AFP] revenues. The comments mark the first time Barzani has officially pre¬ sented the issue to the KDP's congress, with the proposal set to be voted on during the party's week-long meeting. as well as Osama al-Nujaifi, President Jalal Talabani, the speaker of a fellow Kurd, parliament, and over two main issues: a land dispute centred distribution of revenues from the region's energy reserves. Among those in attendance during Barzani's address were alMaliki, Baghdad around the ethnically-mixed oil-rich city of Kirkuk and the lyad Allawi, whose Iraqiya bloc won the most seats in Iraq's par¬ Arbil claims Kirkuk and parts of three neighbouring provin¬ ces, and has attempted signing its own deals with interna¬ tional energy firms without consulting Baghdad, both of which central government authorities contest. liamentary elections in March. On Members attending the congress, the first of its kind since 1999, are to elect around 50 new members to the KDP's top leadership committee. Al-Maliki, subject of Kirkuk, Barzani pointedly told the Kirkuk an example of coexistance, forgiveness and joint administration, but we cannot bargain on its identity". who was awarded the premiership on November 25, has two more weeks in which he must form a cabinet. Iraq the audience that "when it returns to the region ... we will make has been without a new government since the March polls. The region first attained a modicum of autonomy in 1974, but Barzani's father and then-leader of the KDP, Mulla Mustafa Barzani, returned to war with the Baghdad govern¬ ment instead of accepting limited autonomy. Barzani's KDP is a key member of al-Maliki's governing coali¬ tion, and the Kurdish leader played a major role in bringing Iraq's divided political factions together to agree a power- Kurdistan won greater freedom after the 1991 Gulf War, but Barzani and Talabani, the region's other dominant political leader, remained at loggerheads. sharing deal last month. A power-sharing deal was eventually struck between their two blocs and today, Barzani is seen as the dominant part of the pair. Disputes Iraq's Kurdish north, made up of three provinces, has its own parliament and exerts control over all areas of policy - except for national defence and foreign affairs. It is currently in dispute with 22 Iraq's central government in Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti THE JORDAN TIMES |12DECEMBER 2010 Iraq Kurd leader seeks right to self-determination The KDP is a key member of Maliki's governing coalition, and the Kurdish leader played ERBIL, Iraq a major role in bringing Iraq's Qraqi Kurdish Massoud leader Barzani Saturday called on for the divided political factions toge¬ Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki (right) speaks to Kurdish leader ther to agree a power-sharing Massoud Barzani during a congress of the latter's Kurdistan deal. Democratic Party in the northern city of Erbil on Saturday. Barzani right to self-determination for the northern move that break-up Iraqi could of region, lead the Agence-France to The party, which is part of a a joint country, Presse called during the conference for the right to self- determination for a repor¬ slate His remarks come as Minister-designate Maliki attempts Cabinet, with expected to to (PUK), controls of the northern Iraqi region, a move that could lead to a break-up of the country (AFP photo) Kurdistan a substantial seats in the cal leader, Kurdish parliament and jointly control Prime holds that Nouri assembly with the PUK. form Barzani's obtain Talabani's Patriotic Union of majority ted. with 43 seats in Baghdad's bloc several of three provinces, except for national defence and eventually the Baghdad government over foreign affairs. their land and oil. It is currently in dispute with Speaking at a congress of his Baghdad over two main issues: Kurdistan A land dispute centred on the Party leader the Hussein KDP meeting, announce power-sharing blocs seen between and as the to get distracted with "margi¬ nal nant part of the pair. issues" ticking. New Cabinet delayed minister said he was still see¬ Saturday's energy reserves. king the attending the conference His city "to be studied and discussed". comments mark the first ces and has signed its own without consul¬ to be voted on during the wee- central klong meeting that opened on ties contest. government On lyad bloc Allawi, won Nujaifi whose the and Iraqiya most seats in March elections. the Barzani authori¬ government December forming a earlier than 25 new deadline, subject of pointedly Kirkuk, told the to the region... we will make Kirkuk an example of coexis¬ after with his Nouri Maliki, a Shiite Muslim, forgiveness and new government by December The 15 and end the political dead¬ expected lock parlia¬ major March Kurds, that mentary began after elections in reflects Maliki's together struggle an to inclusive tackle, including then-leader of the KDP, Mulla ders that he remains commit¬ troops ted next year. autonomy the government. in to he assured to political meeting a lea¬ 30-day war with the Baghdad govern¬ constitutional ment rather than ending December 25 - to bring premiership on November 25, limited autonomy. together has two more weeks in which Iraq has a developing economy and resurgence of violence as the last American leave by the end of deadline Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish factions in a govern¬ Kurdistan won greater free¬ ment that can overcome endu¬ govern¬ dom after the 1991 Gulf War, ring ment since elections in March. but Barzani and Talabani, the appealed for their help to do new struggling preventing Maliki, who was awarded the accept that the parties It will have a slew of issues to Mustafa Barzani, returned of including the election. bargain on its identity." a the aligned with Iran and a Sunni- joint attained is all backed bloc that narrowly won The delay announced Saturday first include failed to produce a clear win¬ top leadership committee. a fell ner. 50 new members to the KDP's Cabinet. party Shiite political But a has government to factions, 1974, but Barzani's father and without Maliki political new 1,000 form whom seats in parliament. modicum to by short of winning a majority of since 1999 is to see more than been Iraq's had to create uneasy alliances The around in attended cians The first gathering of its kind elect also the administration, but we cannot region region was the Associate Press reported. cobble delegates Erbil, Kurdish had pledged to announce his audience that "when it returns tence, of which Saturday. Maliki; parliament in the Sunni and Shiite Arab politi¬ ting Baghdad, both of Osama of bility energy firms Kurd; meeting capital of three neighbouring provin¬ sented the issue to the KDP's speaker nominations autonomous congress, with the proposal set low Cabinet prime north, international included Iraq's cians, signalling the improba¬ with audience he said. yesterday, from the country's top politi¬ deals President Jalal Talabani, a fel¬ a Erbil claims Kirkuk and parts time Barzani has officially pre¬ The facing will not tolerate exceeding it," of revenues from the region's those the clock is are constitutional deadline and we right", to since "We Also "a to leader¬ domi¬ of Kirkuk and the distribution be presented new He also warned politicians not which considered promising today, of would during was ethnically mixed was said Iraq's (KDP), Barzani said "the issue self-determination," oil-rich is deal struck two Barzani Democratic Iraqi ship by December 25. region mired in disputes with the Kurdistan the Iraqi exerts A and present their candidates," was still in power. control over all areas of policy ministries, "I call upon all blocs to quickly tariff former Saddam for routes valuable while President Iraq's Kurdish north, made up war smuggling provided revenue a waged of sectarian tensions, and region's other dominant politi- 23 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti TfrT dz.com DES SUNNITES PRÉCONISENT l Expression DÉSORMAIS L'AUTONOMIE 5 décembre 2010 de Mouqdadiya, dans la pro¬ L'Expression /Algérie La la population est majoritaire¬ propre eux, budget. Les occupent ment donne le le part plus importante du bud¬ get, et davantage d'autonomie dénonce-t-il. dans la gestion de leurs affai¬ les résultats des tractations «Nous, nous n'obtenons rien, res internes. Pour qu'une telle politiques envisagent de sui¬ à part les raids des forces de consultation soit organisée, il vre sécurité faut recueillir l'accord de 10% nites irakiens déçus par le modèle kurde pour central», chiites, et les arrestations». région Minoritaires dans le pays, les de la population de la province autonome, et contrebalancer sunnites, qui ont dominé l'Irak ou du créer leur propre tiers des membres qu'ils de sa création en 1920 jusqu'à son jugent confisqué par les chii¬ la chute de Saddam Hussein autonomisme ainsi un pouvoir en tes. ciations, le Premier 2003, boycotté Après des mois de négo¬ 2005. ministre sortant, Nouri al-Maliki, chef teurs de avaient les Cette largement législatives année, sunnites les ont conseil provincial. sunnite» nites ment fortement rejeté la des et sun¬ provinces de putent Arabes et Kurdes, sem¬ blent par davantage la préoccupés querelle avec le Kurdistan que par l'influence du gouvernement central. A ce de jour, la Bassora un avoir province (sud) est organisé chiite la une de seule à consulta¬ tion sur l'autonomie. sunnites, qui avaient initiale¬ élec¬ Diyala Kirkouk et Ninive, que se dis¬ tournant pour les responsables de (Anbar, Salaheddine), les arabes Cet constitue ignorer». son chemin dans le «Triangle région, ce qui leur confère une gouverne¬ les cependant inégal. Si l'idée fait former, après référendum, une «Au Kurdistan, ils ont leur De nombreux arabes sun¬ Constitution pas L'intérêt pour l'autonomie est droit à plusieurs provinces de ment sunnite. BAGDAD, (AFP) pourra obtenir plus de pouvoirs». vince de Diyala (centre), dont Constitution, C'était en 2008, et elle lors de son vote par référen¬ avait été rejetée. Pour le poli¬ tologue, Taha Moustafa Adel, soutenu la liste laïque Iraqiya dum, chiite, a finalement été chargé de son article relatif aux régions. les problèmes de l'Irak pour¬ fin novembre de former le pro¬ M.Maliki «A rejetons raient pourtant être résolus par chain gouvernement, ce qu'a plus vaste coalition parlemen¬ l'idée (de l'autonomie), mais la création de régions selon les longtemps taire. il est vrai qu'elle fait l'objet de frontières discussions», a déclaré Abdoul nelles. file d'une vaste convoité coalition un autre M.Allawi. chiite, Iyad Allawi, qui a réa¬ qui «Nous Mais a pu avons c'est forger la voté pour lisé un bon score aux élections Iraqiya pour enrayer la campa¬ du 7 mars à la faveur du sou¬ gne de marginalisation contre tien massif des sunnites. les arabes sunnites», Talal Abdoul «Que les Kurdes prennent en raison justement de Iraqiya, nous Karim al-Samarrai, un député «Nous d'Iraqiya de Samarra, capitale comme père et qui nous battons pour «C'est risqué, car cela peut son héritage, estime ce profes¬ le Nord et les chiites le Sud! al-Matar, chef de la tribu Albo entraîner Ils Aswad, de pays», a-t-il poursuivi ajoutant «Cette Salaheddine. «Mais si le nou¬ toutefois que «si les réformes que si l'héritage est justement notre affaire», déclare Ahmed veau continue politiques ne sont pas mises en partagé». Dhiyab al-Joubouri, imam de comme cela, nous utiliserons place, les gens vont de plus en la la loi sur les provinces pour plus n'ont qu'à représentants, choisir ce leurs n'est mosquée Abdoul pas Rahman **éMi\ibX dans la province gouvernement y l'éclatement sommes des fils qui avons perdu notre de la province de Salaheddine. affirme Karim Hussein ethno-confession- réfléchir, et du on seur de l'université de Diyala. ne de Paris de ces 18 personnes et du Centre culturel kurde Ahmet-Kaya, en tant que personne morale, pour y être jugés malfaiteurs geants présumés du Parti de une Parmi les personnes renvoyées figurent faits notamment Riza Altun, présumés de terrorisme et de finan¬ Attila Balikci et Nedim Seven, res¬ cement de l'organisation séparatiste pectivement considérés kurde, a-t-on appris aujourd'hui de représentant Ces 18 personnes, du PKK comme en le Europe, son "secrétaire" et le "trésorier" du sources proches du dossier. mouvement. essentielle¬ Le ment de nationalité turque, avaient PKK, considéré mouvement été interpellées en France en région comme terroriste par un la parisienne et en Bretagne en février La chambre de rinstruction de la Turquie, l'Union européenne et les 2007. Présentées comme des mem¬ cour d'appel de Paris avait ordonné Etats-Unis, a déclenché en 1984 une bres actifs du Parti des Travailleurs la libération de la majorité d'entre rébellion du elles sud-est de la Turquie, région pau¬ Kurdistan soupçonnées (PKK), d'avoir elles sont participé au deux semaines interpellation, aveu" Turquie, ainsi qu'à des combats au selon leurs avocats. pecte également d'argent. de blanchiment à la après infligeant financement d'attentats commis en Kurdistan irakien. La justice les sus¬ 24 avec ces sources. été renvoyées devant le tribunal cor¬ des association relation d'une organisation terroriste, selon des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), ont pour pour en entreprise terroriste et financement Dix-huit personnes, dont des diri¬ Paris s'arrêtera voi devant le tribunal correctionnel JUGÉES À PARIS de ne 14 décembre 2010 PKK: 18 PERSONNES rectionnel dispute justice un leur "dés¬ anti-terroriste, juge d'instruction et sous-développée, majoritairement de dans le peuplée Kurdes. Ce conflit a fait plus de 45.000 morts Au terme de trois ans d'enquête, le vre sécessionniste Thierry Fragnoli a toutefois décidé du ren depuis cette l'armée.(AFP) date, selon Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti 11 décembre 2010 Vers un Kurdistan rassemble trois provinces du nord de l'Irak (Erbil, Dohouk et Souleimaniyeh), s'est vérita¬ irakien indépendant? blement émancipé de la tutelle de Bagdad après la guerre du Golfe, en 1991. cie depuis une vingtaine d'an¬ nées d'une vis-à-vis large du autonomie gouvernement central de Bagdad. Mais le Kurdistan a ensuite été divisé par la guerre impi¬ toyable 1998, Scrutin sans date Le congrès du PDK président Talabani, s'est patriotique (UPK), de du du désigné irakien chef Jalal l'Union Kurdistan Premier Nouri se sont livrée qui a fait 3.000 morts. Les deux partis se sont récon¬ ouvert en présence notamment du que l'UPK et le PDK de fin 1994 à ciliés les auspices de pour les élections de 2005, qui ont porté Massoud Barzani à la présidence de la région. ministre al-Maliki sous Washington au point de s'allier «Un exemple de coexis¬ et tence» d'Iyad Allawi, chef de file d'Iraqiya, liste laïque soutenue par une majorité de sunnites et qui a obtenu le plus de sièges Massoud Barzani, président de la région autonome au Parlement de Bagdad du lors des dernières législatives. Kurdistan, le 8 novembre 2010 à Erbil. (© AFP Safin Hamed) Les 1.300 a autonome du Kurdistan irakien, Barzani, a Massoud revendiqué samedi lors du congrès de son parti le congrès, car nous considérons que nous avons droit à l'auto¬ détermination», a-t-il tique les Kurdes, ce qui pourrait être dont il est le chef. à une scission du Kurdistan (PDK), le dirigeant kurde propose en «Nous aujourd'hui allons la soumettre question de des termes du parti, sans préciser quand ce scrutin aurait lieu. Le PDK constitue la princi¬ pale force aussi clairs à son parti de se prononcer sur une au politique depuis Parlement les élections Une sonnes participant aux à per¬ ce possible indépendance Kurdistan irakien, du qui bénéfi autonomie du régional de 2009. qui s'est maintes fois heurtée ces nières années à ment sur signés la étrangères, des du notam¬ question pétroliers avec der¬ l'autorité gouvernement central, des qu'il a compagnies et que Bagdad ne reconnaît pas. Les Kurdes revendiquent en outre de vastes portions de territoires hors de leurs frontiè¬ Le parti doit en outre se doter res l'autodétermination dans à l'excep¬ tion des Affaires étrangères et forme avec l'UPK est majori¬ taire étendues les domaines, contrats Kurdistan, et la coalition qu'il C'est la première fois que de l'Irak. tion, a indiqué une source au sein tous du la question de l'autodétermina¬ 13e congrès du Parti démocra¬ droit à l'autodétermination pour un prélude déclaré lors d'un discours au début du prérogatives de la Défense. membres PDK seront appelés à voter sur e président de la région Le Kurdistan possède son propre Parlement et dispose de de nouvelles instances diri¬ geantes, composées d'une cin¬ quantaine de membres. de la vince coalition au vient de jouer un rôle crucial pour dénouer la crise politique laquelle l'Irak s'est enfoncé après les élections du 7 mars. l'Irak pro¬ de et Diyala (centre). «Quand Kirkouk reviendra dans le giron de la région, nous en ferons un exemple de coexistence (...) et de gouver¬ nance partagée, mais nous ne a déclaré M. Barzani dans son discours. C'est en effet lui qui est parvenu à arracher le mois der¬ nier aux dirigeants des princi¬ pales formations irakiennes un accord de partage de pouvoir, qui a ouvert la voie à l'attribu¬ tion des plus hautes charges du passe. la pétrole négocierons pas son identité», Trois provinces du nord de pays, en de Ninive (nord), Salaheddine pouvoir en Irak. Et M. Barzani dans riche actuelles, dans Kirkouk, mais aussi dans celles Le PDK est l'une des com¬ posantes administratives principalement après M. huit mois Maliki a Fils de Moustafa Barzani, dirigeant de l'éphémère répu¬ blique 1946 kurde à Massoud proclamée Mahabad, Barzani en en Iran, dirige le PDK depuis 1979. (Source AFP) d'im¬ encore quinze jours pour former son prochain gouvernement. Après une première forme d'autonomie obtenue dans les années 1970, le Kurdistan, qui 25 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti La Tribune d'Algérie 14 décembre. 2010 Prélude à la partition de l'Irak L'autbdétërmïnàBoh \^^ juTiriMB 55^59 '"£' retardement au Moyen-Orient présents au congrès n'ont pas réagi pour ne pas mettre Par Abdelkrim Ghezali de l'huile sur le feu», a-t-il souligné. Dimanche dernier, a revendication d'un Q droit à l'autodétermination lancée par le président de la région auto¬ le Premier ministre de la région kurde a enfoncé le clou. «Il y a un consensus au sein des Kurdes sur le fait nome du Kurdistan irakien, Massoud Barzani, a suscité la stupeur des Arabes sunnites et chiites qui y voient le pré¬ lude à une scission de l'Irak. «Le droit à l'autodétermina¬ tion concerne les peuples sous occupation, mais ce n'est pas le cas du Kurdistan qui jouit d'un statut spécial en Irak», a affirmé dimanche dernier à l'AFP la députée qu'il est légal et légitime d'avoir le droit à l'autodé¬ termination», a affirmé aux journalistes Barham Saleh. Lors du débat sur la Constitution irakienne, «lors¬ que nous défendions l'idée d'un Irak fédéral, nous avons dit que c'était un forme d'expression du droit à l'au¬ todétermination. Nous n'avons jamais abandonné ce Alia Noussayef , de la liste laïque Iraqiya soutenue par une majorité de sunnites. «Je me demande si le fédé¬ ralisme réclamé par les Kurdes [durant les négocia¬ droit», a-t-il ajouté. Mais le député Khaled al-Assadi, de la liste de l'Etat de droit dirigée par Nouri al-Maliki, s'est montré plus circons¬ pect, en estimant qu'il tions sur la Constitution ira¬ kienne] visait en fait à for¬ mer une région pour mieux se séparer de l'Irak», a-t-elle ajouté. En ouvrant samedi dernier à Erbil le 13e congrès du Parti démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK), dont il est s'agissait de «propos à consommation interne». «L'autodétermination fait partie de l'ambition kurde et ils en parlent de temps en temps, mais je pense que les Kurdes sont assez sages pour ne pas quitter l'Irak», a-t-il le chef, Massoud Barzani avait affirmé que «la ques¬ confié. tion de l'autodétermination» Aux origines de la serait soumise aux partici¬ conscience kurde son des divisions parmi les millions, on compte 1 Kurde Arabes irakiens entre sunni¬ pour 4 Turcs. En Irak, ils tes et chiites». «Je crois que vivent dans le Nord, sont les Kurdes n'ont jamais envi¬ environ 3 800 000, soit 1 sagé un Irak uni», assure-t-il. Kurde pour 3 Irakiens, le Le PDK constitue la princi¬ gouvernement essaie d'effa¬ pale force politique du cer leur histoire récente ; Kurdistan et la coalition qu'il tous les livres mentionnant forme avec l'UPK (Union le nom du Kurdistan ont été patriotique du Kurdistan) est détruits. En Syrie, ils sont 1 majoritaire au Parlement million regroupés dans la régional depuis les élections province de Djezira. En Iran, de 2009. Après une première le gouvernement appelle les forme d'autonomie obtenue provinces kurdes la «région dans les années 1970, le occidentale» ; ils y sont 6 Kurdistan, qui rassemble millions, soit 1 trois provinces du nord de Iraniens. 320 000 Kurdes l'Irak (Erbil, Dohouk et vivent aussi en Arménie où Kurde pour 5 pants, «car nous considérons Souleimaniyeh), s'est vérita¬ leurs droits linguistiques et que nous avons droit à l'au¬ blement émancipé de la culturels sont reconnus. (Voir todétermination». Le congrès s'était ouvert en présence En 1 920, le traité de Sèvres prévoyait la création d'un Etat kurde sur les restes de notamment du Premier ministre désigné Nouri al- l'empire ottoman détruit, comme pour les autres peu¬ Maliki et d'Iyad Allawi, chef de file d'Iraqiya. «C'est hon¬ teux que tous les politiciens présents au congrès n'aient pas réagi», a déploré Alia Noussayef. La consternation dominait également chez les ples de la région. Mais le traité de Lausanne de 1923, qui a remplacé le traité de Sèvres, a divisé le MoyenOrient en plusieurs pays, sans prendre en compte le droit des Kurdes à disposer partisans du chef radical de leurs terres. Le Kurdistan chiite Moqtada Sadr. «Ces déclarations ne servent pas les intérêts de l'Irak et susci¬ se situe à cheval sur la Turquie, l'Irak, la Syrie et l'Iran. Pour Hamid al Fadel, tent des tensions», a déclaré le député Jawad al-Hasnawi. professeur de sciences politi¬ ques à l'Université de «Je crois qu'un Irak uni de Bagdad, «les Kurdes se sen¬ Zakho [province du Kurdistan, ndlr] jusqu'à tent aujourd'hui assez forts» et estiment que «c'est le Bassora [sud du pays, ndlr] est bien meilleur qu'un Irak divisé. Les chefs politiques 26 bon moment pour réclamer l'autodétermination en rai tutelle de Bagdad après la tablau ci-dessous). Ces chif¬ guerre du Golfe, en 1991. Le fres remontent à 1987. Kurdistan possède son propre Parlement et dispose de pré¬ Les populations kurdes à tra¬ rogatives étendues dans tous dition nataliste ont connu les domaines, à l'exception une importante croissance des Affaires étrangères et de démographique et doivent la Défense. Le Kurdistan n'a avoisiner aujourd'hui les 25 pas de frontières, c'est un millions d'âmes réparties sur pays qui n'existe plus sur les les cinq pays. L'histoire du cartes géographiques où il peuple kurde en tant que était indiqué du temps de groupe ethnolinguiste débute l'empire ottoman. dans les régions montagneu¬ Actuellement, seule est ses du sud du Caucase ; appelée «Kurdistan» une par¬ cette aire géographique est tie des provinces kurdes de dénommée Kurdistan. Il y a l'Iran. En fait, le Kurdistan différentes hypothèses quant est à cheval sur cinq pays et à l'identité des ancêtres des regroupe 20 millions de Kurdes, entre autres les Kurdes ; en Turquie, on les Kardouques. Les plus ancien¬ appelle les «Turcs de la mon¬ nes dynasties kurdes connues tagne» et leur terre, la «pro¬ sous autorité musulmane (du vince orientale». Ils sont 10 Xe au XI le siècle) sont les Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Hassanwayhites, les traité de Sèvres, l'empire pas été vraiment oppressive l'impulsion du vieux leader Marwanites et les ottoman est démantelé ; jusqu'en 1961. En effet, la charismatique Mustapha Chaddadites, suivies de la l'Irak se voit attribuer les vil¬ langue kurde était admise, Barzani, soutenu par l'Iran dynastie des Ayoubites fon¬ lages kurdes de Mossoul. En des publications circulaient mais en 1975, l'Iran et l'Irak signent l'accord d'Alger, le dée par Salah Eddine El fait la Grande-Bretagne avait et, si l'école était faite en Ayoubi (Saladin). Ce n'est un mandat sur l'Irak et elle arabe, nombre d'abécédaires mouvement de Barzani choi¬ qu'au XXe siècle qu'une était très intéressée par les en kurde étaient utilisés. En sit de se rendre. A partir de ce moment, l'Irak adopte conscience identitaire kurde réserves de pétrole de 1961, on commence à accu¬ a commencé à prendre forme Mossoul. Dans le tracé de ser les Kurdes de menées une politique d'arabisation avant que la chute de l'em¬ frontière franco-syrienne, la contre l'arabisme. En 1962, dans les régions kurdes pire ottoman n'accélère France, mandataire de la le gouvernement lance le pétrolières et frontalières ; l'avènement de fait national Syrie, intègre trois zones de plan dit de «la ceinture une centaine de milliers de kurde qui va s'exprimer avec peuplement kurde : Djezira, arabe» prévoyant d'expulser Kurdes sont déplacés vers le force notamment dans les Kurd-Dagh, Arab-Pinar. La toute la population kurde de Sud ou vers la région «auto¬ nome». En 1976, Saddam provinces sous domination division du peuple kurde est la région de Djazira le long turque, avec comme objectif consommée. Quelles vont de la frontière turque et de Hussein fait connaître un l'indépendance de tout le être les attitudes des divers la remplacer par des Arabes. nouveau programme qui sera territoire kurde. Une autono¬ pays vis-à-vis des minorités La découverte de pétrole à appliqué jusqu'à la guerre mie partielle a été réalisée kurdes ? En Turquie : dès Karatchok n'est certainement Iran-Irak ; sur 20 km de large par le Kurdistan Ouyezd 1924, la Turquie interdit l'en¬ pas étrangère à cette politi¬ aux frontières soit trois fois entre 1923-1926 et par le seignement du kurde et la loi que. Les Kurdes de cette la superficie du Liban, les vil¬ Kurdistan irakien en 1991. Le turque précise que les partis région, recensés, se sont vu lages seront détruits au bull¬ territoire le plus chaud reste de minorités ne peuvent pré¬ retirer tous les droits affé¬ dozer, les sources bouchées, le Kurdistan turc où un tendre à l'existence, sur le rents à la citoyenneté les cultures détruites. 1 500 affrontement entre l'armée sol turc, et viser ainsi à la syrienne. 120 000 doivent villages seront supprimés ; turque et le PKK a débuté en destruction de l'unité natio¬ alors être établis au sud de les Kurdes seront dispersés 1984. En dépit de la trêve de nale. Trois grandes révoltes façon dispersée. Cette politi¬ par petits groupes dans des 1999, des violences sporadi- en 1925, 1930 et 1955, pri¬ que, un moment en sommeil, villages arabes ou regroupés ques sont signalées dans la vent les Kurdes de tout droit. sera relancée en 1967. En en grand nombre dans les région. Plusieurs milliers d'entre eux Irak : dès 1922, le gouverne¬ «villages stratégiques», véri¬ sont déportés en Anatolie, ment reconnaît aux Kurdes le tables camps de concentra¬ tion. Les Kurdes d'Irak sont Traitement des Kurdes Les Kurdes sont une popula¬ leurs chefs sont exécutés. Il droit de se constituer en gou¬ fallut plus de deux ans à l'ar¬ vernement à l'intérieur des les plus actifs et les plus pro¬ mée turque pour prendre frontières irakiennes. L'Irak ches objectivement et sub¬ tion de montagnards qui Dersimou ; la résistance obtient son indépendance jectivement d'une indépen¬ occupe depuis l'Antiquité populaire kurde résista à nominale en 1931, mais il dance. une vaste zone, le Kurdistan, trois corps d'armée. La faudra attendre la révolution qui s'étend des monts Aurus, répression fut d'autant plus de 1 958 pour que cet État se Cette perspective est d'au¬ à l'ouest du plateau iranien violente qu'elle avait coûté débarrasse de la domination tant plus possible que les et de la région du mont cher en hommes et en maté¬ anglaise. En 1943, on assiste craintes du pouvoir central à Ararat jusqu'au pied où riel. D'après le PC de Turquie à une révolte organisée des Baghdad n'y peuvent rien s'élève la plaine de de 1924 à 1938, il y eût plus Kurdes, car les promesses ne changer en raison de la situa¬ Mésopotamie. Ils parlent une de 1,5 million de Kurdes sont pas tenues ; en 1945, tion sécuritaire et de l'état langue indo-européenne du déportés ou massacrés. Le une grande partie d'entre de délabrement de l'armée groupe iranien. Leur langue régime progressiste d'Ankara eux passe en Iran lors de la irakienne qui a besoin de est très vivante, puisque déclara «le pays au-delà de République du Moabad. La temps pour se reconstituer et beaucoup d'entre eux sont l'Euphrate» en état de siège révolution de 1958 définit devenir opérationnelle sans monolingues kurdes, elle est jusqu'en 1950. Il fut interdit l'Irak comme le pays de deux le concours des Américains. l'élément primordial de leur aux étrangers jusqu'en 1965. peuples, arabe et kurde. A Si les Irakiens sunnites et identité. Ils sont musulmans En Iran : plusieurs révoltes ce moment-là, Mustapha chiites risquent d'être mis sunnites de type chaféite ce ont lieu contre Reza Chah qui Barzani rentre d'URSS. En devant le fait accompli par qui les différencie de tous veut instaurer un État cen¬ 1968, les Kurdes se rendent les Kurdes, la Turquie n'ac¬ leurs voisins. L'empire otto¬ tralisé, quand en 1941, les autonomes au sein de la ceptera jamais l'avènement d'un Etat indépendant dans man était très étendu, pen¬ Anglais et les Russes inquiets République ; de 1961 à 1968, dant longtemps, Turcs et des amitiés de ce dernier la lutte des Kurdes entraîne le Kurdistan irakien, au ris¬ Kurdes vivent en bonne intel¬ avec l'Axe envahissent l'Iran. la chute de quatre régimes que de faire des émules dans ligence ; à la fin du siècle Azerbaïdjanais et Kurdes avant que la tendance le Kurdistan turc dont les dernier, la Sublime Porte s'organisent. Ils proclament actuelle du Baath prenne le velléités indépendantistes cherche à dominer les Kurdes en 1945, la République de pouvoir ; en 1970 une paix sont mises en sourdine par la en rognant leurs prérogatives Mohabad, elle durera un an est signée et le gouverne¬ liste noire américaine qui a ; cela entraîne les premières jusqu'à ce que les troupes du ment s'engage à donner l'au¬ qualifié le PKK, bras armé révoltes en 1826, 1834, 1853, Chah y pénètrent et exécu¬ tonomie à toutes les régions des Kurdes de Turquie, d'or¬ 1855, 1880 ; elles sont sim¬ tent les dirigeants ; Mustapha à majorité kurde après ganisation terroriste. La plement des révoltes contre Barzani et une centaine recensement. Le recense¬ Turquie étant l'alliée straté¬ une autorité qui empiète sur d'hommes se réfugient en ment ne sera jamais fait (il gique des Etats-Unis et le les droits acquis. C'est en URSS. En Syrie : depuis son était décisif pour la région pays tampon entre l'Orient 1898 que pour la première accession à l'indépendance pétrolière de Kirkouk). Une musulman et l'Occident chré¬ fois une presse kurde voit le en 1946, même si elle ne région autonome leur sera tien. jour. Mustapha Kemal mènera reconnaissait pas de droit attribuée de façon unilaté¬ sa lutte d'indépendance aidé aux Kurdes en tant que mino¬ rale et sans pouvoir réel. En par les Kurdes. Après le rité nationale, la Syrie n'a 1974, la guerre reprend sous 27 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Aswat ai-Iraq rH December 13, 2010 1st General Census meeting in Kirkuk with absence of al-Iraqiya KIRKUK / Aswat ai-Iraq: the Special Action Committee, formed by the Planning Ministry, has held its 1st meeting to discuss the problems of the forthco¬ ming General Census in Kirkuk on Sunday, with the presence of Kirkuk legislatures, representing the Kurdistan Coalition and absence of Arab and Turkoman legislatures, to discuss the security plans and preparations by the Kirkuk Census Office for the Turkomen of Kirkuk, did not attend the meeting, des¬ General Census operation. pite fact that they should have attended it, not as The meeting, attended by Kirkuk Governor, the representing their own persons, but as representatives Chairman of the Province's Council, the Director of of their blocs, especially after their agreement to repre¬ Kirkuk Census, the city's Education Office, its Census sent the bloc in the action committe of the census," Commission, the Commander of the Army's 12th she said. Division, the Commander of the 1 st Brigade for The Letislature from al-Iraqiya Coalition, Umar al- Kirkuk's Guards, as well as representatives of the Jibouri, had justified his bloc's non-attendance of the Province's Reconstruction Office and the U.S. Forces, said meeting, "to have taken place for reasons related discussed the security plans laid for the census day to the imbalacement of the three components of and the obstacles facing them. Kirkuk in the census committee." Kirkuk's Census officials have expressed their pre¬ "We did not attend the meeting, because we want paredness to cany out the Census in the Province, the Iraqi Planning Ministry to revise its ministerial and Kirkuk's Census Director, Adnan Baba, told Aswat order in this respect, in such a way that copes with al-Iraq news agency that his office "is prepared to the current laws and rules, because their presence carry out the census in Kirkuk, after the completion of has no relationship with the Kirkuk's current pending the process to prepare its cadres, who attended special problems," Jibouri told Aswat al-Iraq. courses in the field of census." Noteworthy is that the Arab and Turkomen On his part, the Legislature of the Iraqi Parliament Legislatures in Kirkuk, who are all al-Iraqiya Coalition for the Kurdistan Coalition, Najmiddin Karim told members, have considered the mechanism of the for¬ Aswat al-Iraq that "technical and security preparations mation of the census committee, issued according to have been completed in the Province, pointing out to the order, issued by the Planning Ministry as "not the confirmations by the leaders of the security forces coping with Article 23 of Law No.36 for 2008." and the Director of Kirkuk Census Office in this res¬ pect." "The Census is not a Kurdish demand, but it is a The Ministry's order had pointed out to the partici¬ pation of three legislatures from the Kurdistan Coalition, two from the Arab legislatures and one from ncessity that shall take place according to the Iraqi the Turkomen, whilst Article 23, pointed out to equal government's laws, to accomplish all necessary details representation by all blocs, representing Kirkuk, whe¬ related to the whole country of Iraq, because the car¬ ther members of committees or any other committee, rying out of the census shall serve the interest of the according to al-Iraqiya Coalition. Iraqi people," Karim said. Commenting on the absence of al-Iraqiya Coalition, The Iraqi Council of Ministers, in its normal ses¬ sion on 30/11/2010, had defined a new date for the led by former Prime Minister lyad Allawi, Karim said: census, instead of 5/12/2010, to take place after the "Their absence won't affect the activity of the meeting, meeting of the political blocs, in which it had agreed to but we do hope that they would participate in the keep the "nationalism" definition within the census forthcoming meetings, as the Turkomen and Arabs of document, following the agreement of representatives Kirkuk don't support the boycott of the census pro¬ of Kirkuk and Ninewa Provinces, along with cess." Parliament members of the Kurdistan Coalilition, al- He called on Kirkuk Governor, being the chairman of the census committee, to "carry out his duty and raise the meeting's decisions to the higher committees, Iraqiya Coalition and other blocs, to keep the said defi¬ nition on the document. Iraq had withessed its first general census in 1927, related to the preparations of Kirkuk Province to carry its second census in 1934, the third in 1947, followed out the census process." by the fourth in 1957, the fifth in 1965, sixth in 1977 On her part, the Iraqi Parliament's Legislature, Aala Talabani, told Aswat al-Iraq that "the formation of a special committee for the census took part in res¬ and the seventh in 1987, whilst the last census took place in 1977. The oil-rich city of Kirkuk, facing a conflict among ponse to the demands of (Kirkuk's) Arabs and Arabs, Kurds and Turkomen, is 280 kms to the nor¬ Turkomen; that is why the absence of our colleagues theast of Baghdad. from al-Iraqiya Coalition had not been a normal atti¬ is tude." "The Arab and Turkomen blocs, according to their statements, wish to participate in the census process, but al-Iraqiya legislatures, representing the Arabs and 28 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti ^DoBy - Cnfllïti EcKttm jgàsliar'iq .alawsat Sê&b Iraqiya Bloc Does Not Want to ^? it" U1- hP^M* 11 il L LÎl LLLLI l 14 December 2010 Recognize Article 140 - Kurdish MP in his party's conference, and the preoc¬ cupation of other party's members with By Sherezad Sheikhani their consultation on ministerial portfo¬ lios which have yet to be resolved, the¬ refore we expect the signing of this Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat - Kurdistan document to take place next week." Alliance MP Mahmoud Othman told Asharq Al-Awsat that the National Othman added that "the Iraqiya bloc Alliance which is made up of Ammar al- continues to reject the two issues rela¬ Hakim's Iraqi National Alliance and Iraqi ting to Article 140 and the issue of the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Peshmerga force. As for Article 140, Law Coalition, has endorsed all of the they want this Article not to be mentio¬ 19-points put forward by Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani with regards to the formation of Iraq's next government. However Othman revealed that lyad Allawi's Iraqiya bloc objects to some of the Kurdish demands, particu¬ larly the points dealing with Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution and the Peshmerga. Article 140 calls on areas with large Kurdish population outside of the Kurdistan Region to hold référen¬ dums to decide whether they will join ned in the signed agreement, with this Othman told Asharq Al-Awsat that instead being substituted with a refe¬ "the Kurdish leadership requires the rence to the problem of the disputed agreement on the Kurdish negotiating areas being solved constitutionally. As document that is made up of 19 points for the issue of the Peshmerga, they prior to the announcement of the for¬ believe that so long as the Peshmerga mation of the forthcoming government receive their salaries, budget, and mili¬ otherwise the Kurds will not participate tary equipment from the Iraqi Ministry in this government." He added that "the of Defense, they should take their signing [of this 19-point document] has orders directly from the Ministry, rather been delayed due to the participation of than anybody else." Kurdish negotiator Dr. Rose Nuri Shaways the Kurdistan Region. ffBHflfflffrTMirffi December 17th 2010 KDP leadership council elections results went public Reported by Hevidar Ahmed Erbil, Dec.1 7,2010 (AKnews)- Late Thursday evening the members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)'s 13th congress voted through secret ballot, electing 48 members for the leadership council of the party. halbjardn kongrai 13According to the initial reports, three women have also been elected through quota system, raising the council's members to 51 . The elected members will vote to 15 leaders to represent the KDP politburo. Nine members were also assigned as "spare"-none were women. The one-week congress ended Thursday night. Some 150 female members were elected to the assembly. In previous accounts to AKnews, Barzan Mala-Khalid, the offi¬ cial spokesperson for the congress had said from the 1 ,350 elected members to the congress, women have secured 1 0% quota. The rest of the total 60 leaders will be elected through secret ballot. Barzani, the Kurdistan Region's President Massoud Barzani's son, brother, and nephew respectively. Masrur Barzani is also the Kurdistan Region's security chief. The Region's president himself was re-elected to run the party for the thirtieth consecutive year since the death of his father Mustafa Barzani, in 1979. Mustafa Barzani founded the party in 1946. The former Kurdistan premier, Nechirvan Barzani, the Kurdish president's nephew, was also assigned as the new KDP vice president. Khalid also said if some female members granted the leader¬ ship positions through voting, their seats would not cut from the predetermined share. The Kurdistan Interior Minister, Karim Shingali, the current Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, the general secretary of the KDP politburo Fadhil Mirani, the Kurdistan parliament Two female members Bayan Sami Abdul-Rahman, the speaker, Kamal Kirkuki, the Kurdistan Education Minister Safin Kurdistan Regional Government' Representative to the UK and Dizayi, Erbil governor, Nawzad Hadi and the current Iraqi the former Kurdish Minister of Martyrs and Anfal, Chnar Saed deputy prime minister Rozh Nuri Shawes were also elected. Abdullah were elected through voting. More details about the outcomes will be leaked at a press halbjardn kongrai 1 3Among the top elected members are conference later today, Friday. Masrur Barzani, Sidad Mustafa Barzani, and the Yusif Idris 29 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti December 16, 2010 Kurds Threaten To Pull Out Of Iraqi Coalition Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty BAGHDAD - The Kurdistan Alliance will not participate in the new Iraqi cabinet unless the major Shi'ite parliament faction, the National Alliance, agrees to its "position paper" outlining 19 key demands, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reports. The Kurds attach great importance to signing the 19-point paper as it is tantamount to a government program, senior Kurdistan Alliance Kurdistan Alliance members discuss leaving the coalition government. deputy Mahmud Othman told RFE/RL. He said failure to sign the paper would be a serious setback to the political process, because in that case the Kurds would not partici¬ told RFE/RL that no paper would be signed, and agreement on the pate in the government currently being formed. Kurdish demands would be reached by consensus, as is generally the rule in Iraqi politics. Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki is expected to announce his government on December 23, two days before the deadline set by Muttalibi said the objection centered on the Kurds' demands that the the constitution for doing so. National Alliance sign the paper, rather than on its contents. The Kurdish demands include key positions in the government; reco¬ gnition of contracts signed by the Kurdistan region government with Meanwhile, National Alliance parliamentary group member Hussein al-Safi told RFE/RL that the Shi'ite bloc would have 19 ministries in foreign oil companies but considered illegal by Baghdad; and a solu¬ tion to disputed areas, above all, multiethnic oil-rich Kirkuk, under the new cabinet, including the oil portfolio and three state ministries without portfolio. Article 140 of the constitution. Kadhum al-Shammari, a member of the Sunni-backed Al-lraqiyah That article provides for overcoming the aftermath of Kirkuk's parliamentary group, told RFE/RL that Al-lraqiyah's overall share is Arabization by former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, a census in the 11 ministries, including the finance and defense ministries. province, and a referendum on joining or remaining outside the Shammari said negotiations were continuing on the Ministry of Kurdish region. Higher Education, to which both Al-lraqiyah and the National Alliance Othman said only one of the 1 9 demands was being reformulated, have laid claim. that which states that if the Kurdish ministers withdraw from the Kurdish parliamentary bloc member Said Rasul said that the Kurds government, it shall disband or be dissolved. would have six or seven ministries, including foreign affairs. But National Alliance parliamentary bloc member Saad al-Muttalibi FINANCIAL TIMES) December 17, 2010 Turkish army wades into Kurdish debate By Delphine Strauss in Ankara and will continue to be the party that protects the nation not Turkish, are excluded from the Turkish alphabet. be vying with the BDP for votes in the south-east. state, unitary state and secu¬ Selahattin Demirtas, lea¬ lar state," read a statement, der of the pro-Kurdish Peace tary released on It refer¬ and Democracy Party (BDP), political debate on the public red to an article of the consti¬ said he was calling for free nature use of Kurdish, tution use of Kurdish in education, Kosaner took over as chief of asserting that it has Turkish state is an indivisible the general staff in the summer. a constitutional duty whole not for its use in parliament, Turkey's military has waded into a Friday. specifying whose that the language is Turkish. to protect the repu¬ media and In spite of reforms broa¬ blic against threats dening Kurds' cultural rights to national unity. - including state-run the launch Kurdish not commerce, support any form of separatism. has since The much an its overtly of this General Isik military of Turkish Politicians from the ruling made intervention has lost influence over political life but of Justice & Development Party that language (AKP) have warned the BDP enforce them, are intact. is duty-bound to against steps such as intro¬ ducing bilingual noticeboards appeared remains a sensitive issue in and start of a mass trial, in which move towards bilingual life in Turkey, founded as a nation annulled a municipality deci¬ almost 200 retired and ser¬ south-eastern state out of the ashes of the sion to do this in the mainly ving officers face charges of Ottoman Kurdish city of Diyarbakir. plotting staff proposals by pro-Kurdish politicians to they control, were reaching would municipalities saying they of minority empire. Until the governor's office Friday's a a statement day coup in after 2003 the to that recently, the army denied the But the army's statement "radically change the existence of Kurds as an eth¬ appears to be a warning to AKP, shortly after its arrival in nic race; teaching Kurdish in politicians not to go too far in government. state schools remains promises taboo; and letters founding a point philosophy of the republic". The Forces 30 use - it the general broadcasts its ideological views, and belief languages The condemned television would and It is the first time the mili¬ Turkish "has always Armed been and q, the used in x, Kurdish a to the Kurdish w minority in the run-up to July but elections, when the AKP will remove the Islamist-rooted Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Iran arrests family of Kurdish acti¬ Guardian December 17, 2010 vist due to be executed Execution of Habibollah Latifi, who has been in jail for three years, was delayed after protests "Iran wants to show off its authority and control at this moment by executing Saeed Kamali Dehghan an opposition activist like Latifi who has been very persistent to his innocence during interrogations and tortures that Iran has arrested the family of a he had faced." Kurdish student whose execu¬ According to Sheikhi, telephone tion, scheduled to take place on communications in Sanandaj faced Boxing Day, was delayed because interruptions last night as security offi¬ of protests outside the prison in cials raided the houses of several acti¬ which he has been held for three vists. years. abibollah Latifi is accused of being A source close to the family of Habibollah Latifi, a 29-year-old student group the PAJK, which his strongly activist, said his parents and his three brothers and three sisters were arrested family denies. Photograph: guar- also repeatedly interrupted by intelli¬ gence services intercepting the conver¬ sation. dian.co.uk last night. A Guardian phone interview with Latifi's sister, Elahe Latifi, on Friday was in the armed Kurdish separatist Iran says Latifi, a member of the Human rights activists fear Iran might carry out the death penalty in However, Iran's ILNA state news secret. series of bombings in Kurdistan pro¬ agency quoted Latifi's lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, as saying that "the claim that At least 10 other Kurdish activists who have been active in the campaign to some officials in the countries of our prevent Latifi's execution were also neighbourhood have intervened to pre¬ arrested. Among them was Simin vent the executions of some culprits Chaichi, a prominent Kurdish poet. including Latifi is not true". vince in 2007 and is a member of the Kurdish Independent Life party (PJAK), an armed opposition group. It has convicted him of Muharebeh (enmity against God), a crime punisha¬ Shahab Sheikhi, a Kurdish journalist Latifi was scheduled to be executed Kurdish minority in Iran, is linked to a ble by death under Iranian law. His family denies his connection yesterday , but the prison governor hal¬ and human rights activist based in ted the execution when around 300 pro¬ Germany, said: "I am absolutely sure with PJAK and claims the charges testers gathered outside Sanandaj pri¬ that the reason Iran halted Latifi's exe¬ against him are fabricated. son, where he has been since 23 October cution temporarily is because of the pro¬ 2007. test outside the prison and also the which has been campaigning to stop his international attention to his case. execution, his trial was held behind clo¬ His parents were then given permis¬ "However, we are very worried that sion to meet him after dawn. PUK media, an official news website these arrests might be the indication that Iran wants to execute him in secret. of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan "Sentencing Latifi to death at this (PUK), reported that Jalal Talabani, the According to Amnesty International, sed doors and in the absence of his lawyer. In France, six protesters chained themselves to the fences of the Iranian president of Iraq and the founder of the critical situation in Iran, when so many embassy in Paris in a recent show of PUK, had intervened to persuade the people are unsatisfied with the econo¬ support. Iranian authorities to stop Latifi's execu¬ mic situation in the country, has diffe¬ tion. rent functions for the Islamic republic. Rudaw.Net 21 December 2010 KRG Kurdistan official conference Wants Atomic at of an Arab atomic energy countries last week in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan. Dr. Energy KRG Kamal Hamada representative in Amin, the ERBIL, Kurdistan Iraqi (KRG) has sent United Nations Commission for the Kurdistan: Regional The Government 14 proposals to the Atomic requesting semiautonomous Energy permission region of Iraqi Kurdistan to use nuclear power to supply energy to its people, said a said the KRG had also asked for the authorization to utilize equipment the made with uranium in the health and Iraqi oil sectors, and uranium-based techno¬ Nuclear Committee, told Rudaw that By RUDAW mission to use atomic energy, Amin logies such as used in mine defusing. the KRG planned to begin develop¬ Experts point to the existence of ment of the peaceful use of nuclear uranium in Kurdistan - as yet untap¬ energy in 2011 and expected to com¬ ped - without yet knowing how large plete the project by 2015. the reserves are. Presently, the Iraqi Kurds get an Dr. Ali Hassan Ahmed, physics average of eight hours electricity sup¬ professor ply per day, which makes them depen¬ Salahaddin, said there was "no doubt" dent on oil power generators to obtain that uranium existed underground in enough power for their daily lives. Kurdistan. at Erbil's University of In addition to the requests for per 31 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Barzani inquiète l'Irak en demandant rfi l'autodétermination du Kurdistan 13 décembre 2010 Par RFI A quelques jours de la fin du délai légal Avec notre correspondante à Bagdad, des tractations, en vue de la formation du Fatma Kizilboga prochain Les réactions s'enchaînent en cabinet, cet affront est surtout perçu comme une stratégie afin de faire Irak monter les enchères. après la revendication d'un droit à l'au¬ todétermination lancée par le prési¬ En coulisses, on parle déjà de la réattri¬ dent de la région autonome du bution du ministère des Affaires étrangè¬ Kurdistan irakien, Massoud Barzani. res à l'Alliance kurde. Difficile encore Le chef de file du PDK a formulé cette revendication, le 11 décembre cependant 2010, de deviner quette politique du la prochaine ministère du éti¬ Pétrole lors du congrès du Parti démocratique qui reste l'objet de toutes les convoitises. du Kurdistan. Si certains Irakiens crai¬ gnent pays, désormais une pour d'autres, il scission ne s'agit du gue dans la résolution de la crise politique que irakienne est aujourd'hui accusé de traî¬ d'une démonstration de force du prin¬ trise. Reste à savoir si cette menace à demi cachée de Massoud Barzani suffira à faire pencher la balance en faveur des cipal parti politique kurde. Kurdes. Si certains députés arabes dénoncent la L'effet de douche froide laisse désormais mise en application d'un projet de vieille place à la consternation. Le sage média¬ date, d'autres ne voient dans ces déclara¬ teur tions qu'une démonstration salué quelques semaines aupara¬ vant pour ses actions en faveur du dialo de force du chef kurde. Les Kurdes restent en Irak à condition qu'il soit un Etat fédéral (Barzani) ERBIL (Irak), 15 décembre 2010 (AFP) MASSOUD BARZANI, aussitôt après sa réélection à la tête de Parti démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK), a affirmé que les Kurdes pour¬ raient se détacher de l'Irak si le pays perdait son caractère fédéral ou était dirigé par des Arabes "chauvins". "Certains disent: + Les Kurdes veulent leur indépendance, eh bien qu'ils s'en aillent définitivement+. Mais nous leur répondons: +L'lrak est nôtre, l'Irak est notre pays", a-t-il lancé à la tribune à Erbil, à la clôture du 13e congrès de sa formation, tard mardi. En ouvrant samedi le congrès du PDK, Massoud Barzani avait affirmé que les Kurdes irakiens avaient "droit à l'autodétermination". Cette annonce avait provoqué la stupeur des Arabes sunnites et chiites, qui y Bagdad. ont vu le prélude à une scission de l'Irak. Fils de Moustafa Barzani, dirigeant de l'éphémère république kurde pro¬ "Mon message aux frères arabes, qu'ils soient sunnites ou chiites, à nos clamée en 1946 à Mahabad, en Iran, Massoud Barzani, qui dirige le PDK amis et alliés, à ceux qui n'ont pas compris nos déclarations, est le sui¬ depuis 1979, a souligné que les Kurdes "étaient une nationalité et avaient vant: nous sommes attachés à un Irak fédéral et démocratique, à sa donc le droit à l'autodétermination". "Mais le parlement kurde a décidé de Constitution, mais nous ne sommes pas prêts à rester dans un Irak rester à une seule condition: c'est que l'Irak soit un Etat fédéral", a-t-il dit. dominé par des chauvins", a-t-il lancé. Il faisait allusion à la dictature cen¬ tralisatrice de Saddam Hussein. Après une première forme d'autonomie obtenue dans les années 1970, a remplacé celui de Sèvres, divisant le Moyen-Orient en plusieurs pays le Kurdistan, qui rassemble trois provinces du nord de l'Irak (Erbil, sans prendre en compte le droit des Kurdes, répartis entre la Turquie, Dohouk et Souleimaniyeh), s'est véritablement émancipé de la tutelle de l'Irak, la Syrie et l'Iran. Bagdad après la guerre du Golfe, en 1991. Le Kurdistan possède son propre Parlement et dispose de prérogatives étendues dans tous les domaines, à l'exception des affaires étrangères et de la défense. En outre, les Kurdes sont devenus des faiseurs de rois, car ils sont indispensables pour la formation 32 En 1920, le traité de Sèvres prévoyait la création d'un Etat kurde sur les restes de l'Empire ottoman. Mais trois ans plus tard, le traité de Lausanne d'un gouvernement à Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti LUND1 13 DECEMBRE 2010 MASSOUD BARZANI: UNE CERTAINE IDÉE DE L'INDÉPENDANCE KURDE C'est la première fois que le dirigeant kurde se prononce sur une possible indépendance du Kurdistan irakien (nord). Samedi, lors du congrès du Parti démocratique du . Kurdistan (PDK) à Erbil, Massoud Barzani, président de la région autonome du Kurdistan depuis 2005, a revendiqué ce qui pourrait être un prélude à une scission de l'Irak: «Nous allons soumettre aujourd'hui la question de l'auto¬ détermination aux personnes participant à ce congrès, car nous considérons que nous avons droit à /autodéter¬ mination.» Le PDK est l'une des composantes de la coali¬ tion au pouvoir en Irak, photo afp feliîûiide Mercredi 15 décembre 2010 L'Union européenne et la Turquie laissent s'enliser les négociations d'adhésion Les ministres des affaires étrangères des Vingt-Sept devaient renoncer, mardi 14, à ouvrir un nouveau chapitre, celui de la concurrence, contrairement à ce qu'espérait la présidence belge treize chapitres sur trente-cinq Bruxelles Bureau européen Les négociations d'adhésion entre la Turquie et l'Union européenne (UE) sont désor¬ mais dans l'impasse. Les ministres des affaires étrangères des VingtSept devaient constater, mardi I4décembre, à Bruxelles, l'impossi¬ bilité d'ouvrir un chapitre supplé¬ mentaire parmi la poignée de Aucun ne peut être refermé en maintenant. «Pas question d'agi¬ raison du contentieux entre la ter le chiffon rouge », en a raisonna¬ Turquie et la République de Chy¬ blement conclu la Belgique. Steven Vanackere, le ministre jours pas. Une douzaine de chapi¬ des affaires étrangères belges, a tres ne peut être ouverte pour les par ailleurs quasiment jeté l'épon¬ mêmes motifs. Et cinq autres font ge au sujet des consultations qu'il çais, Nicolas' Sarkozy, car ils pré¬ supposent, selon le chef de l'Etat, une adhésion. Contre l'avis d'An¬ kara, M. Sarkozy milite avec les très très lent», constate un diplomate. plutôt, chrétiens-démocrates allemands, en faveur d'un «parte¬ nariat privilégié ». La présidence belge de l'UE, mue par ce qu'un représentant de rait pourtant ouvrir pendant ce Le gouvernement tant sur la concurrence. Faute de turc a décidé d'utiliser désormais tous les moyens pour exprimer Manifestant un évident agace' ment, le gouvernement turc a déci¬ dé d'utiliser désormais tous les moyens pour exprimer sa mauvai¬ mission européenne afin d'apai¬ se ser le contentieux entre la Turquie humeur. Partenaire-clé de l'OTAN, il compte beaucoup sur le et la République de Chypre. L'idée secrétaire général de l'Alliance, le aurait étédobtenir l'ouverture de libéral danois Anders Fogh Ras- quelques ports turcs aux bateaux chypriotes.en échange d'un assou¬ mussen, plissement de l'embargo imposé auprès des Vingt-Sept. pour plaider sa cause M. Rasmussen par la République de Chypre à la partie occupée par l'armée turque, a répété le '.. ministres de la défense, qu'Ankara devait demeurer un partenaire pri¬ priote risque sinon, vu le nombre vilégié. Il a sous-entendu que les de chapitres gelés pour ce motif, ciations. projets européens de coopération sa mauvaise humeur renforcée et de mutualisation de : Combien de temps les Euro¬ péens, à espérer « une bonne discussion » sur le dossier mardi. 12 septembre, en Turquie. de bloquer durablement les négo¬ progrès sur la question, elle a dû renoncer à cet objectif, se bornant récentes réformes constitutionnel¬ au nord de l'île. La question chy¬ semestre au moins un nouveau chapitre avec Ankara, celui por¬ mission européenne à l'égard des 9 décembre, devant le conseil des . ce pays décrit en souriant comme « l'optimisme de la volonté», espé¬ trop négative l'attitude de la Com¬ menait discrètement avec la Com¬ l'objet d'un veto du président fran¬ «On ne veutpas dire que le train est mouvement est dent eux aussi patience, jugeant les adoptées par référendum, le pre, qu'Ankara ne reconnaît tou¬ ceux qui sont encore négociables. sur une voie de garage, mais le ." lité la candidature de la Turquie à devoir le dire officiellement dès ont été ouverts. retranchés derrière la notion d'une Europe «à approfon¬ dir avant de l'élargir», selon le lan¬ leurs efforts auraient plus de chan¬ ce de réussir s'ils pouvaient englo¬ ber la Turquie. Le rapprochement entre l'Union, européenne et ' l'OTAN est bloqué de longue date Certains pays n'ont «pas enco¬ gage officiel, parviendront-ils à «Le climat n'est pasfavorable à re » demandé de suspendre les dis¬ garder le contact avec le gouverne¬ Philippe Ricard l'élargissement et Ankara n'en a cussions mais la diplomatie belge ment de Recep Tayyip Erdogan ? et Jean-Pierre Stroobants pasfait assez, pas assez vite », résu¬ a compris qu'il valait mieux ne pas Les me un diplomate belge de haut appuyer sur l'accélérateur. Elle n'a surenchère nationaliste en Tur¬ rang. Toutefois, admet-il, Vingt-Sept craignent par Ankara. IS une le pas voulu accroître la pression sur quie lors des élections générales niveau d'exigence imposé aux diri¬ les gouvernements les moins pro¬ de 2011. Le premier ministre et son geants turcs est très élevé. Depuis turcs afin de ne pas tenter le diable Parti de la justice et du développe¬ le début des pourparlers, en 2005, et pousser ceux qui refusent en réa- ment (AKP, islamiste modéré) per 33 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Mardi 21 décembre 2010 Iran Forte hausse des prix Le gouvernement de l'essence et du gazole TÉHÉRAN. Les Iraniens ont appris, dimanche 19 décembre, la forte hausse du prix des produits énergétiques appliquée par le gouvernement dans irakien prend le cadre de la suppression des subventions directes. La veille au soir, le président Mahmoud Ahmadinejad avait annoncé, à la télévision, la mise en quvre du plan, qualifié de « chirurgie économique». Le prix de l'essen¬ forme, neuf mois ce subventionné est multiplié par 4 et le prix du gazole par 9. Le gouver¬ nement a précisé que le tarif du pain n'allait pas «augmenterpour le moment». Les prix de l'électricité, de l'eau et du gaz vont, de leur côté, être multipliés entre trois et cinq. «Ceux qui consommeront moins dépen¬ après les élections seront moins », a déclaré Mohammad Reza Farzin, porte-parole du plan. Les subventions directes coûtent à l'Etat quelque 100 milliards de dollars (75 milliards d'euros) par an. Le gouvernement a pris des mesures depuis plusieurs semaines pour éviter tout dérapage des prix. En juin 2007, des Nouri Al-Maliki devait présenter, lundi, violences avaient éclaté après l'annonce de quotas d'essence.- (AFP.) un cabinet incomplet au Parlement Sauf ultime coup de théâtre - te par Iyad Allaoui, qui a échoué à raient temporairement entre les et le monde politique irakien nouer des alliances postélectora¬ mains du premier ministre jus¬ 163 n'en est pas avare -, le pre¬ les, comme l'a fait M. Maliki, en qu'à ce que celui-ci obtienne le repoussée Nouri recevrait neuf parmi lesquels les « consensus » des quatre autres for¬ Selon la Constitution, après la réé¬ Al-Maliki, devait enfin présenter, finances, l'éducation, l'électricité, ces politiques de la coalition pour lection de Jalal Talabani (un Kur¬ lundi 20 décembre, son nouveau . l'industrie, l'agriculture. ses trois candidats. Ces derniers de) à la présidence de la Républi¬ ministre seront-ils choisis et nommés avant que le 11 novembre, à l'Assemblée, Selon les indications fournies aux «par intérim», désigné par les le vote de la loi nécessaire à la mise le nouveau gouvernement doit médias par divers responsables Américains en 2004, M. Allaoui, en place du CNPS ? Mystère. impérativement politiques, le cabinet devrait com¬ un ancien baasiste« défroqué » il y En clair, rien de définitif n'appa¬ prendre, non pas les « vingt - vingt- a trente ans, qui s'est longuement raît encore gravé dans le marbre et cinq ministres efficaces» souvent battu pour se rasseoir dans le fau¬ il n'est pas impossible que l'appro¬ teuil du chef, s'est finalement ren¬ bation parlementaire du nouveau mier ministre sortant, gouvernement au Parlement. évoqués par M. Maliki durant sa campagne en mars, mais plus d'une quarantaine de membres. Neuf mois après les élections géné¬ rales record mondial battu enfer¬ mes d'impasse politique -, le pre¬ mier ministre sortant, qui n'avait obtenu que 89 sièges alors que son principal challenger, Iyad Allaoui, en avait remporté 91, a dû passer sous les fourches Caudines de ses principaux concurrents. et selon premier voix sur de 325) soit encore quelques être jours. investi avant le 25 décembre. Patrice Claude du aux arguments de Washington qui a obtenu, pour lui, le poste de président d'un futur Conseil natio¬ nal des politiques stratégiques (CNPS) dont les attributions et les réels pouvoirs restent à détermi¬ ner. Dimanche, M. Allaoui a réaffir¬ mé qu'il était prêt à travailler avec M. Maliki «à condition que les 23 décembre 2010 Le Parlement irakien approuve le gouvernement d'unité nationale accords» secrets passés avec lui soient respectés. «S'il y a quelque Au terme d'interminables marr chandages Ephémère gouvernement (qui doit obtenir une règle , mathématique inédite qui attribue : à chacun des fiefs mis à l'encan un changement que ce soit, alors tout changera », a-t-il prévenu. Selon l'entourage de M. Maliki, le futur CNPS n'aurait qu'un rôle « consul¬ \ certain nombre de points (3 points tatif» alors que, d'après des pro¬ pour les finances, 1,5 seulement ches de M. Allaoui, ses pouvoirs pour le secrétariat d'Etat aux droits seront « exécutifs ». de l'homme.par exemple), les cinq principales forces politiques du Confiance limitée pays obtiendraient, en fonction de Preuve delà confiance extrême¬ ce qu'elles sont prêtes à « payer » et ment limitée qui prévaut entre les à condition que, les autres, soient futurs partenaires, c'est à la chan¬ d'accord, tel ou tel ministère. cellerie Ainsi l'Alliance nationale ,(chii: te), qui compreTld.159 sièges dont . les 89 obtenus en propre par M. Maliki,. aurait «droit» à dix- sept portefeuilles (pétrole, eau, justice; transports), dont trois titulaires avec le titre de vice-pre¬ mier ministre. Le Bloc kurde (57 sièges) en aurait sept, dont celui des affaires étrangères qui resterait entre les mains d'Hoshyar Zibari, et la liste Iraqiya (essentiellement sunnite) condui américaine samedi, qu'un de Bagdad, proche de M. Allaoui discutait avec l'ambas¬ Le Parlement irakien a approuvé, mardi 21 décembre, la composition du sadeur James Jeffrey des contours gouvernement du premier ministre, Nouri Al-Maliki (photo), mettant exacts du nouvel organe. fin à neuf mois de tractations politiques depuis les élections législatives Lundi, si le calendrier annoncé du 7 mars. Parmi les 35 ministres nommés figurent 20 chiites, 10 sunni¬ est respecté, c'est un gouverne¬ tes, 4 Kurdes et un chrétien, respectant l'accord de partage de pouvoir , ment encore incomplet que conclu le 10 novembre entre les trois grandes communautés d'Irak (les ; M. Maliki devrait présenter au Par¬ chiites, les sunnites et les Kurdes). Dix des 45 portefeuilles du gouvernelement. Les trois ministères réga¬ ment de M. Maliki, qui entame son second mandat, n'ont pas encore été liens de la défense, de la sécurité j pourvus notamment, selon le premier ministre, afin de pouvoir y inté¬ intérieure et de la sécurité nationa¬ grer des femmes. La communauté internationale a salué la formation de . le, exclus du système à points réser¬ ce gouvernement. Le président américain Barack Obama a qualifié le vé aux autres maroquins, reste vote de « moment important de l'histoire de l'Irak ». (photo reuters) 34 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti ®^m*mm Grim Xmas for Iraqi Christians December 18, 2010 as many flee north They saw their In this Dec. brethren murdered stands guard outside Our Lady of Salvation church during Mass and in Baghdad, Iraq. Since the Oct. 31 bloodbath in 10, 2010 photo, an Iraqi police officer then were bombed their Baghdad church, Iraqi Christians are fleeing in their homes as from Sunni Muslim extremists who view them as they mourned. nonbelievers and agents of the West. At a time Al-Qaida vowed to when Christians in various parts of the Muslim hunt them down. world are feeling pressured, Iraqi Christians are Now the Christian approaching their grimmest Christmas since the community of Iraq, U.S.-led invasion of 2003 and many are fleeing almost as old as the north to the safer Kurdish region of Iraq. (AP religion itself, is Photo/Hadi Mizban) sensing a clear message: It is ting of homes by bombers who time to leave. clearly By REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press brethren murdered during every Christian Since the church attack, sometimes contain intolerant address, and the Internet pos¬ to United well as other religions besides ting in which al-Qaida-linked Nations Commissioner Sunni Islam, according to the militants for took the responsibility church attack the north, High Refugees the said Friday. It State of Christianity Department vowed a campaign of violence Iraqi Christians were arriving against in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon sion and Catholic newspaper to refer to Christians wherever they are. Ban Daub, 51, narrowly contacting UNHCR for religious freedom. In Malaysia, a court deci¬ last year allowing Al-Qaida vowed to hunt them and her nephew were at prayer remain in this nation of 29 mil¬ arson down. Now the Christian com¬ when lion is not reliably known. A Christian churches. munity of Iraq, almost as old as They the religion itself, is sensing a attackers stormed in, but many Christian clear of 400,000 time to leave. they the Oct. 31 blood¬ fleeing Sunni have Muslim been extre¬ heard their She explosions. before friends died did five not. clutching A his son and daughter in his arms. bath in their Baghdad church, Christians onslaught. escaped neighbor Since Iraqi the Days later bombs a went Christian string off of across mists who view them as non- Baghdad. Daub and her family believers for State Department report says leaders to estimate 600,000 remain, God, sparked and a spate vandalism Following the church mayhem, European countries of against Baghdad some offered down from a prewar level as asylum to Iraqi Christians. But high as Younadam Kanna, a Christian 1.4 million by some estimates. member of Iraq's Parliament, In the Middle East and in Muslim countries beyond, worries that intercession such will Christians are finding themsel¬ discrimination Muslims Western be seen as by Iraqi wonder why packed a few belongings and ves headed to a Christian district harassment. The Vatican is so outside countries are so quick Christians in various parts of called Ainkawa in this Kurdish worried that it hosted a two- to the Muslim world are feeling city of Irbil. week Christians but are often silent a of Christians the At agents many when West. and How outside homes a God as Allah, the Arabic word help. survived is on said growing numbers of other their homes as they mourned. It report as and Mass and then were bombed in message: language some 1,000 families have fled for IRBEL, Iraq - They saw their knew time pressured, Iraqi Christians are approaching Christinas their since grimmest the U.S.-led invasion of 2003 and wonde¬ "We are afraid for our sons They have suffered repea¬ ted violence and harassment to violence meeting of and Mideast who offer assistance to bishops this fall, dedicated to when Muslims are attacked in and our children. There is no supporting Iraq. This could drive a wedge life ties. in Baghdad for the Christians," she says. ring if they have any future in their native land. subject Since 2003 no Iraqi between Iraq's Christians and reli¬ ple died gious or ethnic group has esca¬ were clashes month in "We are a small commu¬ Christians nity here, and we are trying to resist and stay in our homes," Kanna said. gious Sunnis who ominous sign that militancy is by Saddam Hussein fell apart. supplanted them in power after transcending borders, the mili¬ But the attack on Our Lady of Saddam Hussein, the longtime tants Salvation in which 68 people dictator, was toppled. Baghdad died appears to have been tipping point that has a driven many to flee northward to the Kurdish enclave while seeking the Shiites and last between Muslims. 150 ding of a new church. and bombings arrested than and authorities over the buil¬ enforced in thou¬ more street battles between minority rigidly died of and since 2003, when the interrelipeace sands Tens minori¬ In Egypt, at least two peo¬ ped violence. Christian who carried out not two Egyptian women who they minister, Karim Sinjari. More have political clout or militias. claimed were being persecuted may have come without regis¬ by their priests for converting tering with authorities. minorities, Even Christians before the do church were fleeing abroad. They are In Pakistan, a Christian woman time was the way the gunmen Iraqis resettled in the United death brazenly States since 2007, according to the Prophet Muhammad. State Department statistics. the church Kurdish siege, interior to Islam. more than a third of the 53,700 subsequent targe Kurdish the Iraq's What seemed different this ground, the Christian the said of here. sacred 600 to they were acting on behalf of many attack, thousands of Christians onto than fled after asylum in the U.S. and elsew¬ barged More families area like siege the said But church In an is for under sentence allegedly of insulting In Saudi Arabia, textbooks The Kurds are Muslims who have suffered oppression and discrimination but now have an autonomous, Westernsupported homeland in nor- 35 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti thern Iraq. Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, who is a Kurd, Christians have been in Iraq since earliest Christian times, tions of Sunni extremists, who Mosul, sow they fled. A monk at the sanc¬ terror through assassina¬ the place from which has gone so far as to suggest and although there are several tion, something denominations, faiths but Christians in particu¬ fied lar. said Christians trying to get out similar Christians. for Iraq's Meanwhile the their enemies do not discriminate. targeting Kurdish government has set up The Our Lady of Salvation a committee to help the fleeing church is Syrian Catholic, and from Christians. Miriam refuge letting Proposals them include transfer their Suleiman Mosul at recently St. found Matthew's, a himself only as Joseph, often cannot afford hundreds of dollars in bribes to obtain monastery founded in A.D. 374 fled provinces of a bomb. now home to a few monks. The 2006. families live in the stone rooms, denied their the Baghdad was getting safer, they kitchen returned to the capital. A few ges and universities. She and her family are ren¬ ting an apartment in Irbil for laundry drying in $500 a month, her son is on courtyard "They've been part of Iraq unpaid leave from his govern¬ utensils piled on the shelves. for years. They are part of the ment job, and her daughter had community. to drop out of medical school in requesting the history. They are part of the Baghdad. of reprisals, said that in Mosul culture desire to go back. They of this are part country," of said Still, they have no A and their 23-year-old Ban Daub to In 2008, for fear bedrooms. in by glass said that and stability, but suddenly the Muslim-style. She said people friend come more situation will deteriorate," said would say "Oh, so you are sup¬ ring him it was likely one day to return to their Suleiman, 61. "We want to go ported by the West because you back. homes abroad. That is it." are Christian. ... They say it is to Kurdistan than those are who leave Matti, the Ainkawa mayor, Ainkawa, enclave miles) 320 the Christian kilometers (200 north of Baghdad, churches, Christmas trees has for said that about 70 percent of the Christians after the who church Mosul, swelled from 7,500 to 22,000 city, since east of here. according to Ainkawa Mayor Fahmy Matti. Hie Sîoston (©lobe there attack came your country. covered, You should leave." into their Baghdad for would after Irbil, call a he DECEMBER 21, Iraq's second 80 kilometers daily, assu¬ safe to come Then another Christian was killed, and the friend called to say that maybe it was best that he leave Iraq for good. That is not so easy. largest To emigrate, Iraqis need a (50 miles) passport, and must apply for it Mosul is one of the last bas in their city of residence - in the monastery refugees' case 2010 Iraq's new oil minister close ally to predecessor with Western companies which alShahristani considered illegal. The pre¬ By SINAN SALAHEDDIN vious minister, al-Shahristani, blacklisted The Associated Press the companies involved from participating in any deals in the rest of Iraq. BAGHDAD Iraq's new oil minister The new oil minister was bom in Baghdad appointed Tuesday was a close aide to his predecessor, suggesting he is likely to keep in 1959 and holds a B.A. degree in oil engi¬ pursuing investment by international neering from the University of Baghdad. energy companies for the lucrative sector. He started his career in 1983 with the staterun South Oil Company and occupied Abdul-Karim Elaibi, a Shiite, replaced several posts within the ministry before Hussain al-Shahristani who was the archi¬ reaching his latest position. tect of Iraq's plans to lure international investment to its beleaguered industry. As senior deputy in the oil ministry, Elaibi In the new government, al-Shahristahi will very much involved in the talks with the oil companies." be the deputy prime minister for energy, a newly created post. It is still unknown was instrumental in overseeing Iraq's oil deals with Western companies and neigh¬ Iraq hopes to raise output to 12 million what influence and powers it will have boring countries. barrels per day by 2017 over the growth of oil production and a level that would put it nearly on par with Saudi Iraq has awarded 15 oil and gas deals since 2008 to international energy companies in Arabia's current production capacity from around 2.4 million barrels currently. the first major investment in the country's energy industry in more than three deca¬ But Elaibi will have an uphill battle achie¬ des. ving those ambitious oil output targets which are seen by some analysts as unrea¬ "Elaibi means good continuity for the oil companies," said Samuel Ciszuk, Mideast left Muslim from Baghdad, and others from sale, and a population that has 2003, moved not head told Daub's nephew, Izz Annan Azziz, tee. He believes Christians who her and shards "Maybe there will be peace keeping in been months later a bomb blast rai¬ ned she would try to blend Syria having asylum woman, anonymity and her family neighboring Sinjari, who heads the commit¬ Iraq. listic, given Iraq's damaged oil infrastruc¬ exports. It is believed that al-Shahristani still intends to wield a great deal of influence over this vital sector of Iraq's economy. Iraq holds the world's fourth largest oil reserves of 143.1 billion barrels, according to the government's latest estimates. Oil ture, bureaucracy and corruption. revenues make up nearly 95 percent of energy analyst with IHS Global Insight in London. "He was very much involved in Elaibi also has to address the more than the negotiations of the contracts. He was two dozen oil deals the northern self-ruled Kurdish government unilaterally signed 36 a passport. by a persecuted Christian and dents to study in Kurdish colle¬ after About 10 Christian families tuary, who for his safety identi¬ the stu¬ days all attack her house was the target allowing but Syrian of government jobs to the Kurdish and Orthodox, is Iraqis Iraq's budget. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti HeialSfeBribmic December 21, 2010 Anti-American cleric rebounds : AMARA, IRAQ As political winds shift in Iraq, Shiite leader #" - becomes a power broker BYJACKHEALY The Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, who in the past decade has been both an antiAmerican insurgency leader and a be¬ hind-the-scenes power broker, was not in attendance when Iraqi leaders met Mon¬ day to sketch out a new government. But with gain his followers standing to control of powerful government posts, his influence is likely to become apparent in many facets of Iraqi public life, from the halls of Parliament to the tomato farms and marshlands here in southeastern Iraq. Maysan Province, home to Afnara, was a stronghold for Mr. Sadr until A billboard in Baghdad depicting Moktada al-Sadr, second from left His candidates pulled sweeps by the Iraqi Army in 2008 helped off surprising victories to win 40 seats in the parliamentary election in March. break the grip of his militia. Political change ousted his ally from the gov¬ ernorship here last year. Sadr's remarkable political resurgence feats and Mr. Sadr's own flight to Iran. governor's seat in iKamal al-Maliki, in Minister office political power has "We don't want to be radical Islamists. I tell my supporters: Don't dress all in black or In Iraq's last government, Mr. Sadr's carry weapons." followers were accused of using their of¬ fices to spread corruption and sectarian That the party, the Sadrist Movement, enmity, with officials lining their pock¬ 1 still Iraq's most fiercely populist and antiAmerican bloc, has come this far is a re; flection of its members' efforts in recent ' years to recast themselves as maturing ets and death squads roaming public Women on the Sadrist slate, who cam¬ hospitals. remaining paigned in head-to-toe abayas, fared par¬ : fears, among Americans and.Iraqis, that ticularly well against secular candidates. There are also The Sadrists are now embracing the militia that helped bring Mr. Sadr to politicians who can actually govern and least in public power initially, the Mahdi Army, which badly needed services. "We want to show the world we are a [modern people, an intellectual people," j said Fathal Namaa, the group's political ' director in Maysan. "We don't want to be radical Islamists. I tell my support¬ tional unity and partnership, referring an violence that threatened to tear the to country apart, could again be mobilized brothers, not foes. After dozens of Chris¬ against his enemies, particularly after tians were massacred the U.S. military finishes its withdrawal. church rist ministries," weapons." They are tracing a path mapped out by militant groups like Hezbollah or Hamas, which built popular support by augmenting their armed wings with so¬ said a U.S. from his time as an official in the Min- of Mr. "We want to make it work. But we will , orphanages also be true to our own principles, and And at Mr. Sadr's behest, party leaders Maliki's deputies. stemming at a Baghdad members They send out daily news releases to we think we can win the most seats," ser al-Rubaie, a leading Sadrist politi- and community centers.. said some newly elected lawmakers had been sent to Lebanon and Turkey to at¬ tend, classes in public speaking and political etiquette. ' - The party's newest lawmakersjnclude appellate "We're going to get everything,' ' Nas- i 31, as announce street-cleaning projects, new vice ministries and a slot as one of Mr. easily after beating charges of murder, Oct. lawmakers under normal diplomatic ground rules. erase some of the mistakes of the past, said Hakim Zamili, who was re-elected on Kurdish the party's solidarity, diplomat, Maysan, they are seeking control of ser¬ "If we're able to succeed this time and and ; who spoke on the condition of anonymity In addition to the governor's seat in and hospitals and handed out jobs. Sunni Sadr's group visited the priests to show they may not want to work with us." cial and political groups that ran schools at the sunny tones of na¬ was responsible for much of the sectari¬ "We know there are going to be Sad¬ Don't dress all in black or carry' corruption prising victories to win 40 seats in March. Jeffrey, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. the conclusive elections in March. kidnapping and After fully embracing the political pro¬ cess, Mr. Sadr's candidates pulled off sur¬ against their opponents," said James F. months of wrangling that followed in¬ ers: growing theory, the idea that, they can use force Nuri after awkward partnership. its "We do not see compelling evidence the coalition intended to keep their one¬ Prime But they have renounced, in practice or in they hope to gain as rewards for joining enemy, cials^and former Iraqi rivals, who now find themselves tlirown together in an rists will play a stronger hand. Maysan ; Province again, one of several positions time Those outsize ambitions may exceed the movement's grasp at the moment. stoked new worries about how the Sad¬ His followers are pushing for control the have forced a shift in tone from U.S. offi- minister's position." in Iraq after years of schism, military de¬ of The posture and power of the Sadrists " istry of Health. "And maybe the primé Now, the winds are shifting again, and the area has become a stage for Mr. . lawyers, engineers and ac¬ countants, aSjWell as candidates with cian, said as he emerged from Parlia¬ less technocratic" backgrounds. Among ment one afternoon. them is Muhammad al-Khafaji, a former 37 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti bodyguard to Mr. Sadr whose biography on a Sadrist Web site says he -'participat¬ ed" in the fight against the occupation. "What the Sadrists want is what Iraqis want," Mr. Khafaji said, sipping a glass of peach nectar. "We have to lead the political process." In Amara, the resurgence of the Sadr movement has stirred mixed emotions, as well as resistance from the current governor, Muhammad al-Soudani, who has a good working relationship with the Americans. This is a city where black, red and green banners of Shiite devotion flutter from the rooftops of homes, and where photographs of clerics adorn the awn¬ ings of fast-food restaurants. But it is one still unsettled by trie Sadrists' time in power, when militias dominated local security and bombings and attacks against U.S. forces were common. Some residents said they welcomed the Sadrists' return. They blamed the Maliki-supported Soudani, for governor, persistentiy high Mr. Friday Prayer in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, a stronghold of the militia that fought the Americans. The area is informally named for Moktada al-Sadr's father, a revered cleric; unem¬ ployment and creaky services and said they were ready to allow the Sadrists another chance. Some spoke of a deeper But Abdul Qàrirrï Muhamadawi, a lo¬ bers of Shiite militias back on the streets fealty to the Sadr family, which includes cal leader who was a guerrilla fighter of Amara, among those said to be re¬ towering Shiite patriarchs killed for re¬ during the Saddam era, spoke to the leased under part of a deal with Mr. Ma¬ sisting Saddam Hussein's rule. fears of those who worry about the con¬ liki. And he feared the relative stability sequences of handing power back to the of the past two years could unwind. "The Sadrists, are very good people, arid qualified," said Abdul Wahid Bedai, "We are upset about this deal," he Sadrists. 78, whose living room had a photograph Mr. Muhamadawi, known here as the of Mr. Sadr's slain father. "We respect "Prince of the Marshes," said he had them. We respect the movement." already % REUTERS seen once-imprisoned Iraq oil revenue plan prompts Kurd parl't walkout said. "This is the moment before the storm." mem Kiyani told Reuters. The Kurdish region was exporting around 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) before the flow was halted last year. Shahristani said the region could produce 150,000 bpd next year. Iraq's exports last month were just over 1.9 million bpd. The government is trying to ramp up output capacity to 12 million December 18, 2010 , (Reuters) -By Waleed Ibrahim bpd within six or seven years der Saudi Arabia * Kurdish politicians angry over budget a figure that would rival global lea¬ from 2.5 million bpd now. But most analysts say that figure is unrealistic. BUDGET SEES $73 OIL proposal * Kurdish budget to be cut each time local Iraq's cabinet approved a draft 2011 budget in November based on oil exports stop an oil price of $73 a barrel and output of 2.25 million barrels a day next year. The budget still needs parliamentary approval. BAGHDAD Kurdish lawmakers walked out of Iraq's parliament Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish lawmaker, said his bloc had objected on Saturday when they learned of a proposal that would cut Iraqi to the draft and called for it to be reviewed by parliament's financial Kurdistan's share of the 2011 national budget if the region fails to committee. deliver crude oil for export. "(The) draft budget was submitted for a first reading without being The semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region has been locked in a reviewed by dispute with the central government in Baghdad over contracts unconstitutional," Othman told Reuters. the financial committee of parliament and this is signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government with foreign compa¬ nies to develop northern oilfields. Baghdad says the deals are illegal. A request from the Kurdish bloc to disregard Saturday's first reading and to re-submit it for review was ignored by parliament, Kurdish The disagreement halted exports from Iraqi Kurdistan last year. Iraqi member Fouad Masoum said. Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani said this month Kurdish oil was expected to flow early next year. Any complaints over the first reading of the budget had to be sub¬ mitted to the financial committee before the second reading of the Mohammed Kiyani, a Kurdish politician, said lawmakers had tem¬ budget on Tuesday, Masoum added. porarily walked out on the first reading of the budget in parliament after hearing that the Kurdish share would be slashed each time the flow of crude stopped. "If the export of oil stops, at any time and for any reason, the revenue for that amount will be cut from the Kurdish share of the budget. It's not fair and it's a collective punishment against Kurdish people," 38 Output from the Kurdish region is seen as a key to boosting exports, which provide Iraq with about 95 percent of its federal revenue. Shahristani, the architect of plans to turn Iraq into a top global oil producer, is to be reappointed oil minister when a new cabinet is revealed on Monday, senior officials told Reuters on Saturday. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti £tMmèt 22 décembre 2010 Le cinéaste iranien Jafar Panahi; opposé au régime, est condamné à six ans de prison Le réalisateur du « Ballon blanc », jugé en secret, est interdit d'exercer son métier durant vingt ans Six années de prison assorties d'une interdiction pour une durée de vingt ans de tourner des films, de sortir du territoire et de donner le moindre entretien aux médias : voilà la sentence qui vient de frapper le cinéaste iranien Jafar Panahi, selon une déclaration de. son avocate, Farideh Gheirat, lundi 20 décembre, qui a fait appel de cette décision. Motifs de la condamnationinvoqués : «Partici¬ pation à des rassemblements et propagande contre le régime. » Voici riçuf mois que le réalisa¬ teur, l'un des plus talentueux de son pays et l'un des plus reconnus hors de ses frontières, fait l'objet de la part des autorités d'une persécu¬ tion qui tient de la farce kafkaïen¬ ne dans un pays où le pouvoir et les cinéastes jouent de longue date au j eu du chat et de la souris . Tout a commencé lors des mou¬ vements de protestation consécu¬ tifs à la réélection - contestée - du Jafar Panahi Ie30 août à Téhéran, après sa libération sous caution le 25 mai. attà kenare/afp président Mahmoud Ahmadine¬ jad en juin 2009. Tandis qu'il pré¬ cinéaste, alors emprisonné, à faire l'arbitraire politique et de l'injusti¬ tellectuel pare un film basé sur ces événe¬ partie de son jury. ce pour qui cet événement confirme sociale. C'est, pour ne rien Bernard-Henri Lévy gâcher, un immense artiste, qui trô¬ que Téhéran « a déclaré la guerre à mad Rasoulof, qui ècope aujour¬ bre, en ne avec Abbas Kiarostami, dont il ses artistes». Le ministre de la d'hui de la même sentence, Jafar conviant le réalisateur, assigné à fut assistant, au firmament du culture, Frédéric Mitterrand, a de Panahi est arrêté à son domicile le résidence, à accompagner un court- cinéma d'auteur iranien et qui a son côté fait part de son « indigna¬ i"mars 2010, ainsi que sa femme métrage inédit récemment tour¬ reçu à ce titre de multiples récom¬ tion » après le «pseudo-jugement» et sa fille, et détenu à la prison d'E- né. C'est enfinle Festival internatio¬ penses dans les festivals internatio¬ qui frappe le cinéaste. vin, à Téhéran. nal du film de Berlin qui a deman¬ naux : Caméra d'or à Cannes pour Joint par téléphone en septem¬ Libéré sous, caution le 25 mai dé à Jafar Panahi de faire partie de Le Ballon blanc (1995), Lion d'or à bre 2010. alors que son visa pour après une détention de trois mois .son jury en février 2011. A cette Venise pour Le.Cercle (2000), prix Venise lui était refusé, Jafar Panahi et une grève de la faim d'une chaîne de solidarité des trois plus Un certain regard à Cannes pour avait eu cçs mots : «Les droits de semaine, le cinéaste est finale¬ grands festivals du monde se sont Sang et or (2003). l'homme ment jugé le 7 novembre dans le ajoutées des pétitions de réalisa¬ plus grand secret. Il tient devant teurs du monde entier, y compris ses en provenance d'Hollywood, avec Le verdict qui vient de tomber bleàcellequeconnaîtlepaysaujour- les signatures de- Steven Spielberg, est donc une très mauvaise nouvel¬ d'hui L'atmosphère est irrespirable, Martin Scorsese ou Tim Burton. le pour l'Iran et pour le cinéma. Il a la population se sent méprisée. Or, le ments avec le réalisateur Moham¬ accusateurs d'une dignité et un plaidoyer d'un courage exemplaires. La Mostra de Venise, en septem¬ lui emboîtait le pas sont bafoues en Iran depuis trente ans, mais on n'avait Vives réactions jamais atteint une situation sembla- De fait, le pouvoir iranien ne d'ôrés et déjà suscité de vives réac¬ mépris et l'humiliation, c'est ce qu'il venant s'est pas trompé de cible. Jafar tions, telle celle du délégué géné¬ y a de pire pour l'homme. Celapour- d'abord du milieu du cinéma. Le Panahi, 50 ans, est certainement le ral du Festival de Cannes, Thierry raitnous conduire à une situation Festival de Cannes' a lancé le mou¬ cinéaste le plus engagé, à travers Frémaux, qui prépare un comité totalement incontrôlable.» vement en mai 2010, en invitant le ses films, dans la dénonciation de de soutien, ou encore celle de l'in Le soutien international s'est manifesté très vite, Jacques Mandèlbaum 39 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti 22 DÉCEMBRE 2010 Iran et Turquie: le rapprochement politique et économique de deux géants TEHERAN - L'Iran et la Turquie n'ont cessé de se rapprocher ces dernières années sur le plan politi¬ que mais aussi économique, la Turquie devenant un allié de poids pour les Iraniens dans leurs délica¬ tes négociations nucléaires. Le président iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad et son nouveau chef de la diplomatie Ali Akbar Salehi partici¬ peront jeudi à Istanbul à un sommet économique régional. Cette visite intervient alors que la Le président iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Le président iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad et Turquie, qui joue l'intermédiaire entre (G) et son homologue turc Abdullah Giil, le 7 le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Téhéran et l'Occident dans son bras de juin 2010 à Istanbul AFP/Archh/es/Bulent Kilic le 17 mai 2010 à Téhéran AFP/Archives/Atta Kenare fer sur le nucléaire, doit accueillir fin janvier les discussions entre l'Iran et le groupe 5+1 (Etats-Unis, France, Elle a également voté contre la veut également renforcer ses relations résolution du Conseil de sécurité de commerciales l'ONU du 9 juin, renforçant les sanc¬ réduire Allemagne), après la reprise des négo¬ tions unis ciations contre l'Iran. Grande-Bretagne, Russie, nucléaires à Chine Genève et début décembre. "La Turquie est un pays puissant, avec une position stratégique et des le économiques internationales avec la place dans son la des Turquie Emirats commerce pour arabes extérieur, après les restrictions bancaires impo¬ Peu avant, elle avait présenté avec sées par les Emirats à la suite des sanc¬ Brésil tions économiques internationales. une proposition nucléaire L'Iran qui exporte déjà quotidien¬ entre l'Iran et les grandes puissances, nement entre 15 et 18 millions de m3 rels avec l'Iran", a déclaré M. Salehi visant à faciliter un compromis sur le vers la Turquie, a signé en juillet un soulignant dossier nucléaire, mais qui a été rejetée contrat d'un milliard d'euros avec une par les grandes puissances. compagnie relations avec le la renforcement Turquie était des une "priorité". de l'Iran points communs idéologiques et cultu¬ que d'échange et combustible Le rapprochement de la Turquie et turque pour la construc¬ tion d'un gazoduc de 660 km qui per¬ Longtemps considéré comme l'allié de l'Iran, qui comptent à eux deux plus mettra d'exporter chaque jour 60 mil¬ stratégique et même militaire d'Israël de 150 millions d'habitants, s'est égale¬ lions de m3 de gaz d'ici trois ans vers la Turquie et l'Europe. dans la région, la Turquie s'est rappro¬ ment accompagné d'un renforcement chée des pays arabes et de l'Iran, en des relations économiques et commer¬ Enfin, geste particulièrement signi¬ particulier ciales qui ont atteint 10 milliards de ficatif, M. Erdogan, lui-même sunnite après l'offensive d'Israël contre la bande de Gaza en décembre dollars, selon les clùffres officiels, avec qui dirige un gouvernement islamo- 2008 puis l'attaque de la marine israé¬ pour objectif commun de les faire pas¬ conservateur, lienne contre une flottille d'aide huma¬ ser à 30 milliards de dollars entre 2013 Istanbul nitaire et 2015. destinée à Gaza au cours duquel neuf Turcs ont été tués. Ce qui a provoqué une vive colère de la En septembre aux d'Achoura, dernier, le Premier a participé en présence affaires appelé à un "rapprochement économi¬ suprême intervenu, que avec l'Iran", notamment la signa¬ Khamenei. Ankara a retiré en août l'Iran de la liste ture d'un accord de préférence com¬ des pays constituant une menace pour merciale, en dépit des pressions occi¬ à elle, selon le document définissant la dentales. donné un large écho. Signe du changement sécurité nationale du pays. à chiites d'Ali Akbar Velayati, principal conseiller pour les ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a Turquie contre Israël. jeudi cérémonies internationales iranien du guide l'ayatollah Ali Une première dans un pays sunnite laquelle les médias iraniens ont Selon la presse iranienne, Téhéran Un général assassiné, sa fille blessée à Bagdad BAGDAD, 23 déc 2010 (AFP) Egalement dans l'ouest de la capitale, à Amriya, le lieutenant-colonel de police Majid Hamid, a été blessé mercredi soir dans les mêmes circons¬ UN GÉNÉRAL de l'armée irakienne a été tué et sa fille blessée par 40 tances, ont précisé ces sources. des inconnus qui ont ouvert le feu avec des armes automatiques Les insurgés multiplient les attaques contre des militaires et policiers pour munies de silencieux, ont indiqué jeudi des sources aux ministères tenter de désorganiser les forces de sécurité. Le Premier ministre Nouri al- de l'Intérieur et de la Défense. Maliki a placé la sécurité à la tête de ses priorités. L'officier supérieur Imad Hachem, qui appartient à la sixième division de Par ailleurs, dans la ville multiethnique de Kirkouk, à 240 km au nord de l'armée déployée à Bagdad, a été tué mercredi soir à Mansour, dans Bagdad, la police a découvert le corps de Barbaras Mohammad Habib, un l'ouest de Bagdad, alors qu'il circulait en voiture avec sa fille. L'âge de membre de l'Union patriotique du Kurdistan (UPK de Jalal Talabani), criblé cette dernière n'a pas été précisée. de dix balles, a indiqué le colonel de police Azad Abdallah. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti r=~ Iraq,s poHtica! Impas EndS) Cabinet Approved Maliki Government Voted In by Parliament, Closing 10-Month Leadership Vacuum; Obama Hails 'Major Step Forward' Parliament, as part of a U.S.-backed power-sharing deal agreed to last month among Iraq's biggest sectarian and ethnic factions. "We announce our full support for this government, and we will carry out our effective and productive role.. .as long as we find a reciprocal spirit," said Mr. Allawi in a speech to Parliament. The U.S. and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq were both in attendance for the ceremonial vote. A spokesman for U.N. Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Mr. Maliki on his confirmation as The new Iraqi government is seen during a swearing in ceremony Prime in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Minister government and welcomed formation as "a the major step forward in Iraq's democratic pro¬ gress." He called on the new govern¬ ment to "address the major challenges In By SAM DAGHER unscripted Parliament, comments Mr. Maliki before expressed frustration with a complex system of BAGHDAD, officially Iraq's Parliament approved a second rian quotas. Among al-Maliki and his partial cabinet "Everyone is upset with me," he said, after a tribal sheikh, excluded from a grueling had political stretched ending impasse for a that nearly 10 post he had been coveting, stood up and began shouting. confirmed on oil minister. He didn't run in the elec¬ tions but is allied to Mr. Maliki. Mr. Luaiby, a senior oil official, succeeded his boss Hussein al-Shahristani, who months since inconclusive elec¬ tions in March. ministers Tuesday was Abdul Kareem Luaiby as lineup Tuesday, nal reconciliation, reconstruction and long-term stability." governance based on ethnic and secta¬ term for Prime Minister Nouri on that face the country, including natio¬ was given a new job with more power Mr. Maliki himself will take on the defense, interior and U.S. President Barack Obama called rity portfolios the government formation a "signifi¬ Parliamentarians cant moment" in the country's history vote later in the week on the creation and a "major step forward." He also of a new national-policy post set aside called it a "clear rejection" of sectarian for extremism. Allawi, Mr. on Maliki's despite an as deputy premier for energy. national-secu¬ interim basis. were expected to chief rival, lingering Ayad disagree¬ ments over its scope and powers. Parliament also approved Hoshyar Zebari, a member of the Kurdish bloc, to retain his post as foreign minister. Rafie al-Issawi, a Sunni Arab who is currently one ministers, of two was deputy prime approved as finance minister. The formal and largely symbolic vote was expected, and it came after Mr. Mr. Maliki submitted picks for much of his bloc won the most seats in Parliament Allawi's predominantly Sunni cabinet Monday evening. He had said in March but failed to cobble together that several posts would be taken up a governing coalition. That forced Mr. on an interim basis as political horse- Allawi to join a unity government hea¬ trading continued. ded by Mr. Maliki and dominated by The total number of cabinet posts- including including American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. his conservative Islamist Shiite allies, Mr. Maliki's own also the movement of anti- Largely absent from lineup were women, about a quarter of the cabinet who make up the 325-seat Parliament. One woman was named in Mr. Maliki's cabinet, triggering angry shouts by some during the ses¬ sion Tuesday against their exclusion in the government. The minister of state for women's affairs was one of grew, to 45 from 42 on Monday eve¬ the 10 portfolios filled temporarily ning, in an apparent bid to placate Members parties jostling for posts. Ten of those confirmed 45 portfolios were left unfilled as of Tuesday. An additional Allawi ally had late Tuesday. previously been of Mr. Allawi's bloc were in 12 cabinet named posts speaker by Mr. Zebari, the foreign minister. on of 41 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti institute for war & peace reporting 22 December 2010 Kirkukis Dismiss Time Bomb Fears Residents of disputed area say they get along pretty well, claiming politicians are behind talk of rising tensions. By Samah Samad - Iraq - ICR Issue 363 DHE IRAQI government s decision to postpone a nationwide census has once more cast Kirkuk as an obstacle to poli¬ tical progress, but long-time residents say the contested province has an undeserved reputation. The census, which would be the first for Iraq since 1987 and had been scheduled for December 5, was postponed indefinitely last week in order to avert potential violence in disputed areas such as Kirkuk, and to examine the inclusion and wording of certain ques¬ tions, specifically one pertaining to ethnicity. Contested ethnically-mixed areas include parts of the Nineveh, Diyala and Tamin govemorates, but ownership of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk has always been the key issue. This ancient city, reportedly the home of the tomb of the biblical prophet Daniel, is claimed as an ancestral homeland by Kurds, Arabs, Turkomans and Christians. * Kirkuk residents survey the aftermath of a triple car bomb attack in November. Fear of violence in disputed areas such as Because of its rich ethnic and religious diversity, Kirkuk has been Kirkuk has forced the delay of Iraq's nationwide census, dubbed Little Iraq, a microcosm of the nation as a whole. Since the but native Kirkukis say reports of ethnic tension are overblown. toppling of Saddam Hussein s regime in 2003, however, the city and (Photo: Metrography) its oil have been caught in a power struggle between Baghdad and Erbil, capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The census, which was mandated in the Iraqi constitution to be held in 2007, still appears to a long way off. Kurdish lawmaker Mahmud Othman described the delay of the census as the result of deep mis¬ Although he supports a census, Mohydin feels that questions requi¬ ring a declaration of ethnicity continue to overlook the integration that made Kirkuk a successful city in the past. trust between political groups . But Kirkuk locals say such disputes In all aspects of everyday life, the original people of Kirkuk are close do not reach the street level or the bazaar where merchants of diffe¬ to each other. You can see it in all the old, mixed neighbourhoods. rent ethnic groups conduct business side-by-side. Only the politicians make these problems, Kirkuk has long been seen as a hotbed of ethnic and sectarian rivalry, Archbishop Louis Sako, but while nationalistic passions remain high long-time residents still community in Kirkuk, agrees. Sako, who earned a masters degree in Mohydin said. leader of the ancient Chaldean Christian coexist in relative harmony. Analysts say that if violence erupts in the Islamic studies in Rome and a doctorate in Iraqi history from the province it is likely to be provoked by rival political forces from out¬ Sorbonne, is known as a mediator between Kirkuk's different groups. side Kirkuk. This city has been diverse with many different religions and cultures Although there has been sporadic violence in the city of some since the first century, he said. I have heard all the reports about 800,000 people for many years, native Kirkukis say these outbreaks tension between different groups but I don't see it among my congre¬ are between newcomers, especially the new wave of Kurdish immi¬ gation or in the mixed neighbourhoods where the long-time Kirkukis grants and Arabs who were given incentives to relocate to the city during the Saddam era. live. The same opinion is held by Colonel Larry Swift, formerly the com¬ The political bickering and intermittent violence do not affect relations manding between long-standing Kirkukis who have lived in ethnically-mixed Forward Operating Base Warrior. Swift recounted being told in dra¬ neighbourhoods for many generations, a range of community lea¬ matic terms by an analyst before he arrived that Kirkuk was a ders, politicians and security force members told IWPR. bomb . The reports about sectarian tension escalating in Kirkuk are ground¬ less, Abdul Rasheed, 40, a Sunni Arab schoolteacher, said. These reports come from the media arms of the political parties and are cir¬ culated by those who have an interest in the political deterioration of Kirkuk. side-by-side at the It s not a time bomb, United he said. States base in Kirkuk known as time Kirkuk is not a Bosnia or a West Bank. For that type of situation to happen you would need congeni¬ tal hatred on the street level, and that's just not here. Experts agree that the census will provide much-needed demogra¬ phic information for civic planners charged with reviving the moribund The ethnic groups of Kirkuk are often related to each other and have lived officer since ancient times. Intermarriage is still education, health, housing, and transportation sectors. It is also quite meant to determine who can vote in a subsequent referendum on common. These ties will not be affected by political tensions or the whether Kirkuk would be governed by Baghdad or included in the census, if they ever have one. Kurdistan region. The reason Kirkuk has drawn comparisons to deeply divided areas But native residents, such as community leader Mohydin, say that such as Beirut is because so many different groups lay claim to it, Kirkuk should be left to govern itself. locals and analysts say. Kurdish leaders have vowed to include the city in Kurdistan, while Sunni Arabs and Turkomans claim such a move would further marginalise them. He says he remembers when the city was known for its togetherness, adding, I think Kirkuk could be a lesson in how different people can live together peacefully in Iraq. But lifelong Kirkuk resident and community organiser Ihsan Mohydin, 63, scoffs at reports that the possibility of a census has created street-level ethnic tension in his hometown. Mohydin, a Kurd, says that he has relatives who are Turkomans, Arabs and Christians. 42 Samah Samad is an IWPR-trained journalist. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti 22 December 2010 iMfSlAMAI Bilingual debate turns into autonomy discussion, triggering wave of criticism AYSE KARABAT, ANKARA The bilingual debate, kicked off by a pro-Kurdish party, entered a predicament yesterday when the Diyarbakir Office Public launched into the Prosecutor's an investigation decisions Democratic of Society the Congress (DTK), which transformed the dis¬ cussion into a demand for demo¬ cratic autonomy. Abdullah leader of Workers' mind Ocalan, the Party behind autonomy, define. (PKK), the a imprisoned is idea term The the outlawed no Kurdistan the of master¬ democratic one can pro-Kurdish BDP Co-chairman Selahattin Demirtas and other BDP officials are seen in Parliament on their way to the office of Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin for a meeting. clearly Peace and should refrain from making statements Democracy Party (BDP) argues the nic country, that might agitate the society. Demirtas told reporters. Responding to a question, term refers to strong local government, he said other parties Demirtas said the aim of the mee¬ are suspicious that it would lead to the ting was to correct misunderstandings. Kurdish in Parliament, but that some of use of a separate language and flag, We told him that his remarks targeting his party s members said a few words in which they argue is out of the question. political Kurdish in order to highlight the issue. but the government and parties harm politics. His they approach was very positive. We hope BDP Co-chairman Selahattin on met that this meeting will serve the process Demirtas Tuesday with positively, he said and added that they Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin had also submitted a booklet on demo¬ to discuss democratic autonomy, but cratic autonomy. the meeting was also public tension that meant to flared up The DTK, which comprises of civil society organizations and pro- Sahin recently criticized the BDP Kurdish politicians, shared their after some of its members used Kurdish demand for democratic autonomy with on the floor of the General Assembly in the public over the weekend. The text Parliament. The debate heated up after suggests several BDP members opened that the construct debate on the national flag society, in order to the and the democratic autonomy lan¬ model, should be organized in eight dif¬ guage. The parliament speaker on ferent dimensions, among them politi¬ several occasions reminded them that cal, legal, social, economic, diplomatic, speaking in a language other than ecological, socio-political and self Turkish in Parliament is forbidden and defense that public prosecutors should - a concept that is not clear take but aims to establish a security force. The text also mentions the adoption parliament speaker urged of the Kurdish flag and other symbols as everyone to respect national laws and well as education assembly rules forbidding the use in Kurdish from kin¬ of dergarten through university. The text languages other than Turkish in official also underlines that their representatives Kurds will send platforms. Sahin warned BDP members against raising tension in the political debate and asked to Parliament to national participate them in national politics but that to they will have their own local to speak in language is But other languages must be given freedom and should be able to be used in media, the public sector and in Sahin, he said. while answering questions from reporters on the meeting, said he had asked Demirtas to explain the rela¬ tionship between the DTK and the BDP. Demirtas told independent me that the civilian DTK initiative. is an He told me that some of their colleagues had suggested a separate flag and a defense force but that this was only an idea and that the BDP has not launched an initiative to Parliament s bring these agenda, issues Sahin to said, adding that any subject or law can be discussed in Parliament. action to ensure it does not happen. The demanding Of course the official Turkish. many prominent intellectuals, representatives between the BDP and Sahin. not education, lower recently are parlia¬ refrain from using any language other Also on Monday, Demirtas, after meeting with the DTK, said all authority is concentrated in the center and their aim is to change this situation, adding that it would not be only for the Kurds but also for other parts of Turkey such as in Antalya and Izmir, where such an administrative model is needed. ments as well. than Turkish. We warned gues in that regard, our collea¬ he said after mee¬ He underlined that the nation-state Demirtas underlined that some parts of the text are unclear but said he is pre¬ ting with Demirtas. pared to have a discussion over demo¬ According to the account given to cratic autonomy. We suggesting self-administration. is part of also Turkey is need a confessional to change multilingual country. He because and multi- noted that Turkey can be divided into 20 regional reporters by Sahin following the mee¬ ting, the BDP promised to not speak in should our party program. administrations. Turkish will of course Kurdish in Parliament. Sahin told repor¬ This If be the official language in these admi¬ ters nistrations. The Turkish flag will be the especially Turkey switches to a strong local admi¬ deputies in Parliament - should be very nistration model, this will require consti¬ main careful when it comes to the indivisibility tutional should of the nation. He added that all parties multicultural, that everyone - but amendments. We multilingual suggest and a multieth flag. be But local apart from flags and this, there languages. Democracy can be enhanced when the 43 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti state gets minimized, he said. Bahceli: This can go until indepen¬ dent Kurdistan The nomy demand met for democratic fierce criticism of a state system that is based on diffe¬ the rent languages, flags, parliaments and against the idea of people being allowed defense forces. to learn their mother tongues. In the last stage, there will be efforts auto¬ from the to establish an independent Kurdistan unitary Ruling Party (AK state Justice Party) structure and with the land taken from Syria and Iran chairman terday. also, overstepping its limits. Bahceli MHP leader Devlet Bahceli claimed that the BDP is challenging the he said. Tayyip said Erdogan Prime had Minister Recep encouraged all is Kilic not Development parliamentary Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) yes¬ Suat but said the group BDP is The BDP is acting as if it were the representative of all Kurds. Both in Constitution and the law and aims to stir these discussions by initiating what he general and local elections, we are the up a popular uprising. called the ones Everyone should act with common sense in these difficult days, he told his deputies at a meeting of his party s par¬ rence gual speeches and democratic auto¬ in refe¬ very Party Kilicdarolu has there are ethnicities other than the Turkish nation in Turkey as a founding element of the republic. He claimed that this will first be written in the Constitution and then followed by the establishment immMzm December 25, Aydogan, sions on demands separation. that (CHP) kept solve the Republican leader his votes Kemal silence over speaking Monday at deputy budget night, lead He said the the said Ergun discus¬ these country in the Kurds Kilic said on a TV show on Monday night. In the meantime, the Office of the President said yesterday that President Abdullah Gul will be visiting Diyarbakir, a predominantly Balikesir might most want this , to nomy is to force people to accept that CHP the initiative these issues. Only get region. It is not right to claim that interesting s who government-launched Kurdish problem. He emphasized that it People He claimed that the aim of the bilin¬ the democratization is liamentary group. separation initiative, to Kurdish province in the Southeast, on Dec. 31. This will be his second visit to the province since being elected president in 2007. to CHP defends Iraqi Christians mark safer 2010 Christmas in Kurdistan By Namo Abdulla (Reuters) On some major streets in Ainkawa, AINKAWA, Iraq - Ammar Ablahad children stood together in anticipation of fled Baghdad to the northern Iraqi region Santa Claus. Every year, local men dres¬ of Kurdistan just last week, determined to sed in red costumes drive through town in celebrate Christmas with his wife and a pick-up truck, distributing gifts to local baby without fear of attack. children. "There's a 100 percent difference," In Arbil, the capital of Iraqi said Ablahad, 32, a civil engineer who Kurdistan, upscale shopping centres such joined thousands of other Iraqi Christians as the Majidi Mall are decorated with fleeing to the safer north after deadly Christmas trees and festooned with ban¬ attacks and persistent militant threats ners that say "Merry Christmas". against a dwindling Christian population. "It's become impossible to have In the worst recent attack, 52 people something like this in Baghdad," said died at Baghdad's Our Lady of Salvation Ablahad, huddling in the cold outside an church on Oct. 3 1 when security forces stormed the church after militants took hostages during Sunday mass. Pope Benedict said in his annual Ainkawa church with his family. Kurdistan has been an oasis of rela¬ week that some 1,000 Christian families, area became a semi-autonomous enclave roughly 6,000 people, had fled to Iraqi Christmas message that he hoped the under Western protection. The region has Kurdistan from Baghdad, Mosul and holiday would bring consolation to earned the reputation of being a safe other areas. Iraq's Christians once numbe¬ Christians in Iraq and all the Middle East, haven in an otherwise dangerous country. red about 1.5 million. There are now where the Vatican fears that violence such On Christmas Eve, thousands of wor¬ as the October attack is fuelling a shippers crowded into Ainkawa's Mar Christian exodus. Yousuf church and its outside yard, deco¬ Fearing further bloodshed, several church leaders in cities such as Baghdad - - which is still plagued by almost daily attacks have urged Christians to keep believed to be about 850,000 out of a population estimated at 30 million. Bayan Awdesh, 50, said even her rated with bright lights and a big Muslim neighbours were getting into the Christmas tree. Christmas spirit. Dozens of policemen with machine "They have bought a Christmas tree guns stood guard outside the church. as well," she said, as she made last- Christmas low-key this year and limit Authorities stepped up security and erec¬ minute purchases in the Boto Bazaar. celebrations to prayers and mass. ted checkpoints outside the town to ward The threat of fresh violence has led Iraqi security forces to erect high blast several churches in Baghdad. Holiday decorations were noticeably absent. But about 300 km (190 miles) further north, in Ainkawa and other Kurdish But for some of the refugees, sorrow off any attack, said Lieutenant Rawaz over the lives they left behind means Azad, director of Ainkawa's traffic police. Christmas is no longer a cause for joy. walls topped with barbed wire around 44 The U.N. refugee agency said last tive calm in Iraq since 1991, when the "I won't celebrate because I have no SANTA CLAUS AND JINGLE BELLS Outside the Mar Yousuf church, cars inched forward in a traffic jam, as the money," said Hekanosh Harkuon, a for¬ mer university professor from Baghdad, as she shopped for winter clothes for her four daughters. towns, the mood is festive. Churches are song Jingle Bells blared from a car ste¬ decked out with fluorescent lights and reo. Many of the cars were covered in guard," added Harkuon. "He's our sole holiday banners, and Christmas music colourful streamers, or had Santa Claus source of income." blares out in the streets. toys on the dashboard. "My husband is a church security Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Hlirriyet ^Mf^ December 23, 2010 DailyNews.<«nt~ % Turkey s pro-Kurdish party tries to calm democratic autonomy furor ANKARA - Hurriyet Daily News Turkey s main pro-Kurdish party has no intention of dividing the country with lism and its calls for bilingua- democratic autonomy, but rather seeks total decentralization, its co-leader said Thursday. I am sure we can persuade whoever we talk to about our model General Staff, the MHP be it the [opposition Nationalist Movement Party] president, Selahattin or the Demirta_, co- leader of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, told daily Radikal on Thursday. Attempting reactions to to moderate the the harsh presentation weekend of a model of last democratic Selahattin Demirtas (R), co-leader of the pro-Kurdish BDP, is greeted by party sup¬ autonomy by the Democratic Society porters. AA photo Congress, or DTK, an umbrella orga¬ nization for pro-Kurdish groups, the BDP chief emphasized that the topic of [Kandil] Mountains? discussion was just a proposal. he asked, refer¬ the outlawed PKK, which is listed as a ring to the northern Iraq base of the terrorist organization by Turkey, the We outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or United gave the opportunity to the govern¬ PKK. We try to strengthen politics, we Union, declared a unilateral ceasefire ment try earlier this We proposed and the However, they a concrete state to offer. score scored an a goal. own-goal, to Kurdish stress the problem] [to the is in politics, solution he States and year. He the European said the right steps toward a solution to the Kurdish he said. said. Claiming the government was trying The to create a perception that the ruling begun drafting new constitutions that start, Justice will be shared with the people after ties could be restrained since there next will be a race for votes. issue should be taken immediately, in two months AKP, and Development Party, or was doing well [in addressing BDP year the Kurdish issue], but BDP has rui¬ Milliyet ned draft it, Demirta_ criticized Prime and s presenting a better local adrninistra- the tion autonomy. He said whenever the the the term daily DTK refers Autonomous BDP uses separately elections, While reportedly Democratic project. general reported. Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan for not BDP worked to reinstate places DTK have to time at the most. Three months later the election process will he said. Then no political par¬ s a Kurdistan, democratic Though he said the latest discussions were unfortunate and the process was risky, Dernirta_ emphasized that there is still hope, stressing that the latest ceasefire is different than pre¬ origi¬ nal Kurdish names, it faced harsh cri¬ The BDP has two basic messages that vious ones. ticism, even though the idea was origi¬ it can convince anyone to agree with, PKK and the state, nally a government effort. Demirta_ said: that Our purpose is not dividing the country [and] we suggest Faced with potential threats to close that a model of decentralization will his party, the BDP leader emphasized carry Turkey forward. this It s a ceasefire for both the poses an he said, adding opportunity that should be used. the importance of pro-Kurdish politi¬ cal groups in resolving the Kurdish The pro-Kurdish politician also If the BDP and argued that the recent reactions by the DTK don t talk, then what will hap¬ government and the military have led pen? to the most dangerous process since problem in Turkey. Will everybody go to the 45 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti 23 décembre 2010 IRAK Les Kurdes se perfectionnent dans l'art de la politique Le congrès du Parti démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK), principal parti au pouvoir dans la région autonome du Kurdistan d'Irak, s'est déroulé au mois de décembre. Le parti, autrefois composé en majorité de combattants anti-Saddam Hussein, est en pleine mutation démocratique et voit émerger une nouvelle classe politique, plus occidentalisée, jeune et féminine. Mete Cubukcu | Radikal e a Parti démocratique du Kurdistan d'Irak (PDK) qui veut montrer de lui-même une image nouvelle en prônant le "renouveau, la justice et l'unité" sera-t-il en mesure d'appliquer son programme? Il A y Massoud Barzani, dirigeant du figure désormais des concepts tels que Parti démocratique les droits de l'homme et de la femme, du Kurdistan (PDK) la transparence, irakien, à Arbil, en le partage équitable Irak, le 11 décembre des revenus, le respect de l'opposition 2010. politique ou encore le plurilinguisme ? Le congrès du PDK qui vient de se dérouler à Erbil [siège du gouverne¬ ment régional du Kurdistan d'Irak] devrait faire sentir ses effets non seu¬ était en augmentation. semble des mouvements y a fait le déplacement jusqu'à Erbil, dans l'opposition ou que le BDP, pro¬ reconnaissant d'un kurde - était patente, preuve supplé¬ semble de l'Irak. Le programme de ce Barzani qui a réussi à dénouer la crise mentaire d'une amélioration des rela¬ écrit en maquis dans 1946 les l'importance au pouvoir, que le CHP, kémaliste et compris en Turquie, ainsi que sur l'en¬ parti, lorsqu'il prit le gouvernementale irakienne qui durait tions entre les Kurdes irakiens et la montagnes depuis neuf mois. Tout le monde était Turquie. D'ailleurs, c'est en vain que du Kurdistan, "est en train de redescendre là en ville" pour reprendre l'expression Talabani, Nouri trace du PKK [mouvement séparatiste de son leader Massoud Barzani : le président kurde irakien Jalal le Premier ministre l'on cherchait lors de ce congrès une Al-Maliki, le président du Parlement kurde de Turquie] dont une partie de ailleurs président de la région auto¬ Ossana la nome du Kurdistan]. Le PDK est ainsi ministre Iyad Allaoui, sorti le premier [par Noudjaifi, l'ancien se trouve au des tème de politburo pour tout douce¬ politique chiite. Des personnes qui se ment se muer en un parti politique à retrouvent rarement ensemble dans un inimaginable il y a dix ans. La Turquie l'occidentale plus social et plus libéral. même endroit ont donc toutes partici¬ dispose ainsi désormais d'un consulat Cela la pées au congrès du PDK. Celui-ci s'est à salle où se tenait le congrès. Certes, ouvert avec le nouvel hymne national Turkish Airlines va bientôt ouvrir une d'ailleurs dans [combattants irakien, aussitôt encore militaire Ammar Al Hakim, ressentait ou direction Kurdistan irakien. Le PDK s'est mon¬ mouvement de guérilla avec son sys¬ se urnes en mars 2010, Premier en train d'abandonner sa dimension de les anciens peshmergas important suivi par leader l'hymne tré suffisamment intelligent que pour ne pas l'inviter. Les relations entre Erbil et Ankara ont atteint un niveau Erbil, ligne la vers le compagnie Kurdistan aérienne irakien, les kurdes] avec leurs médailles n'ont pas kurde sur fonds de drapeaux irakiens banques été oubliés et étaient encore visibles et kurdes. Jalal Talabani, surnommé ouvrir des succursales et plus de 120 mais l'ambiance a changé. La musique en kurde Mam Jalal [Oncle Jalal], en milles citoyens turcs travaillent dans de fond diffusée tout au long de ce tant que président irakien a fait son la région. congrès musique discours en arabe. Les représentants musique politiques turcs d'origine kurde, invi¬ n'était kurde militante 46 kurdes, tiques venues de Turquie - tant l'AKP Toute la classe politique irakienne lement sur le PDK mais aussi sur l'en¬ plus mais une de la classique. De jeunes filles portant des tés habits traditionnels guidaient les parti¬ contrariés car ils ne parvenaient pas à cipants dans une atmosphère marquée bien comprendre le discours en langue par une organisation sans qui kurde sorani de Massoud Barzani. Ils n'avait que peu à voir avec la façon parlent en effet une autre forme de la faille à Erbil, semblaient quelque peu dont les congrès de ce parti se dérou¬ langue kurde, le kurmandji, et aucune laient auparavant. On a pu constater traduction n'avait que les cadres du PDK se rajeunis¬ Toutefois, l'attention saient et que le nombre de femmes y l'égard des délégations des partis poli- été prévue. manifestée à turques font la file pour Les Kurdes irakiens, qui ont jette les bases de leurs nouvelles institu¬ tions au début des années quatre-vingt dix, veulent poursuivre ce processus en se encore démocratisant, du chemin à mais ils parcourir. ont En effet, le seul parti d'opposition auto¬ risé, Goran (Changement), n'avait pas été convié au congrès du PDK. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti 23 décembre 2010 En Irak, un gouvernement et un peu d'espoir e n'est pas encore une situa¬ des influences régionales conflic¬ place à la coalition de M. Allawi tion normalisée, loin de là, tuelles : l'Iran soutient les partis dans un gouvernement qui se veut mais l'Irak a accompli mar¬ chiites, l'Arabie Saoudite la cause une équipe d'« unité nationale ». La formule est très optimiste te, un sunnite, Ossana Noudjaifi, à la présidence du Parlement, et un Kurde, Jalal Talabani, à la tête de l'Etat, l'Irak s'installe dans un par¬ di 21 décembre un pas dans la bon¬ des sunnites, et, au milieu, les ne direction. En accordant sa Etats-Unis, encore omniprésents, dans un pays où l'invasion améri¬ tage du pouvoir entre ses trois confiance au gouvernement de cherchent à se retirer en bon caine a provoqué un terrible grandes communautés. coalition laborieusement formé ordre après avoir envahi le pays affrontement entre chiites et sun¬ Barack Obama s'est félicité de nites - lequel fait encore des dizai¬ la formation du gouvernement Nouri Al-Maliki, le Parlement ira¬ nes de morts chaque mois. L'équi¬ Maliki. Il y voit un pas de plus kien permet au pays de sortir pe gouvernementale reste à com¬ vers une normalisation qui pour¬ par le premier ministre sortant, d'une longue crise politique : il a en 2003. Editorial pléter, mais sa composition repo¬ se sur un arrangement fragile. fallu neuf mois, depuis les élec¬ tions de mars, pour arriver au Les élections de mars n'ont pas Si M. Maliki reste le chef du gou¬ rait accélérer le calendrier du retrait américain. Les Etats-Unis ont mis fin à leur mission de com¬ bat dans ce pays en août ; ils y dégagé de majorité claire. Deux vernement, il a dû concéder à grands blocs s'opposaient : d'une M. Allawi la présidence d'un nou¬ tions à l'irakienne où ont pesé part, une Alliance chiite, dirigée vel organisme : le Conseil national 50 000 hommes qui doivent tous les éléments qui font de ce par M. Maliki ; d'autre part, la liste des politiques stratégiques. Per¬ avoir plié bagage d'ici à la fin 2011. pays, saigné par six ans de guerre Iraqiya, coalition laïque, pilotée sonne ne sait encore trop le rôle L'Irak connaît la guerre depuis civile, une mosaïque d'intérêts dif¬ par un ancien chef du gouverne¬ que cette institution devra jouer, près de vingt ans. C'est toujours ficiles à concilier. ment, lyad Allawi, qui a obtenu la mais d'ores et déjà les uns et les majorité des voix sunnites. autres se disputent sur sa qualité : vue. L'équipe Maliki, bien que mal instance de décision pour les sun¬ assurée, laisse espérer un début chiite et une minorité sunnite. Il né un léger avantage à son concur¬ nites, seulement consultative d'apaisement communautaire. Il y a une ligne de fracture ethni¬ rent, M. Maliki a réussi à se mainte¬ pour les chiites... que, entre Arabes et Kurdes. 11 y a nir à son poste. 11 a offert une large vote de mardi... Ce furent neuf mois de tracta¬ 11 y a les divisions confession¬ nelles, entre une majorité arabe La Croix Bien que les résultats aient don¬ maintiennent encore un pays exsangue, à tout point de serait temps que l'Irak ait de la Avec un premier ministre chii chance. 8 VENDREDI 24 DECEMBRE 2010 La Turquie renforce ses liens avec ses voisins orientaux Istanbul accueille un sommet Asif Ali Zardari devait partici¬ Le sommet, qui sera suivi par À l'issue de l'entrevùé, une source per, hier et aujourd'hui, aux côtés un sommet à trois entre la Tur¬ turque interrogée par l'AFP estimait du président turc et du président quie, l'Iran et le Pakistan, devrait que la Turquie était «prête par tous iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, permettre la signature d'une série ses moyens à maintenir l'élan positif de la coopération au sommet de l'Organisation de la d'accords, en matière de commerce, obtenu à Genève». La reprise des économique (ECO), coopération économique (ECO), transports, banques et libre circula¬ négociations début décembre à une organisation créée en 1985 tion des personnes entre les mem¬ Genève avait été jugée construc¬ tive par la chef de la diplomatie de l'Organisation qui regroupe dix pays par son pays, l'Iran et la Turquie, bres del'ECO - la suppression des vi¬ du Moyen-Orient. et qui regroupe aujourd'hui dix sas serait envisagée. Il intervient un européenne Catherine Ashton, qui Le dossier iranien est pays mois avant là poursuite à Istanbul soulignait toutefois la nécessité des négociations entre l'Iran et les pour l'Iran d'accepter lès garanties au centre des discussions Un train à grande vitesse du Moyen-Orient. L'ECO offre un cadre diplomatique et Le gouvernement turc pour transporter des mar¬ chandises de la Turquie au Pakistan et «ainsi ouvrir dé vastes marchés européens et asiatiques au bénéfice des peuples de la région». poursuit avec l'Iran la nouvelle diplomatie du «zéro problème avec les voisins». dans une interview parue hier dans le quotidien turc Hurriyet. Selon lui, économique il devrait être baptisé «train Gui», Turquie qui se tourne toujours plus privilégié exigées par la communauté inter¬ programme nucléaire de Téhéran, nationale. sujet de tension avec la communauté La Turquie poursuit avec l'Iran internationale, qui soupçonne Ah¬ la nouvelle diplomatie du «zéro madinejad de développer l'arme problème avec les voisins» amorcée nucléaire, malgré ses démentis. par Ahmet Davutoglu. Huseyin Latif Lé sujet a été évoqué mercredi lors C'est le projet que défend le prési¬ dent du Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, puissances occidentales au sujet du pour la note qu'elle «considère l'Iran comme d'une rencontre entre le ministre un pays ami, qui a le droit de produire des affaires étrangères turc Ahmet de l'énergie nucléaire civile comme Davufoglu et le nouveau ministre ses voisins». Dans un contexte inter¬ des affaires étrangères iranien national peu favorable, là Turquie a Akbar Saleh, qui est aussi à la tête tout intérêt au renforcement de ses du nom du président turc, Abdullah vers ses voisins orientaux, dans un du programmé nucléaire. Le jour¬ liens avec l'Iran, et s'invente au fil Gùl, artisan de l'intensification des contexte où son adhésion à l'Union naliste turc Huseyin Latif, présent des mois un rôle d'intermédiaire liens entre la Turquie et ses voisins européenne n'est pas envisageable lors de cette rencontre, a constaté entre Téhéran et l'Occident. orientaux. à court terme. une «cordialité affichée». BENOÎT BERTHELOT. 47 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti THE WALL SHEETJOURNAL December 23, 2010 Iraq's North Seen as Next Trouble Spot Arabs, Kurds and Smaller Ethnic Groups Face Off in Region Under U.S. supervision, a By SAM DAGHER group of Iraqi Army soldiers, TUZ KHURMATU, Iraq Now that Peshmerga, a Iraq's lawmakers have come toge¬ Kurdish mili¬ ther to form a government, ending a tary force, and stalemate that left the country rudder¬ Iraqi policemen less for months, U.S. diplomats are patrolled one of focusing on another divide ethnic ten¬ the main secu¬ rity check¬ sions in the north that threaten to rip points outside the country asunder. Kirkuk in September. Parliament on Tuesday approved a Scott Nelson partial cabinet headed by Prime for the Minister Nouri al-Maliki, filling a WSJ.com vacuum that dates to inconclusive March polls. The breakthrough was the Sunni Arab and Shiite Arab. As Kurds diers staff checkpoints shared uneasily product of a U.S.-backed power-sha¬ have bolstered their power in the by Kurdish forces and Iraqi army sol¬ ring deal, agreed to last month, that north, other groups, including Shiite diers, and conduct joint patrols and called for a unity government encom¬ leaders in Iraq's oil-rich south, have operations with both sides, targeting passing Iraq's main ethnic and secta¬ pushed for their own autonomy. insurgents. rian factions. U.S. diplomats say Washington's No. 1 In November, a U.S. soldier was killed But in Iraq's north, Arabs, Kurds and priority, following the formation of a in a small-arms attack by insurgents smaller ethnic groups continue to face new government, will be trying to bro¬ southwest of Tuz. The main U.S. base off against each other over nearly a ker a solution in the north. On in Kirkuk, north of Tuz, remains the dozen patches of oil-rich territory that Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador James target of rocket attacks, prompting the lie along a 300-mile arc just beyond F. Jeffrey said Washington is seeking U.N. in mid-October to temporarily Iraq's Kurdistan region. formal authorization from the Iraqi evacuate expatriate staff. government to maintain two tempo¬ Kurds, who already have a measure of rary embassy branch offices in the nor¬ autonomy in their region, are pushing thern cities of Kirkuk and Mosul. des here but intensified sharply after for more. Members of other groups These, he said, would help "deal with the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that top¬ Arabs and the region's ethnic the political issues up there in that pled Saddam Hussein. For much of the Turkmen, among others say Kurdish very complicated area." ambitions have gone too far. Ethnic-based mistrust goes back deca¬ past decade, Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen have battled on three fronts: Underscoring the combustible atmos¬ over disputed boundaries across an Amid the standoff, about 9,600 phere here, the region's security servi¬ area that is home to an array of ethnic American soldiers, accounting for ces are riven by competing factional and confessional allegiances; over about one-fifth of the total U.S. pre¬ loyalties. At the entrance to Tuz control of Kirkuk; and over the fate of sence still in Iraq, are scrambling to Khurmatu, this dusty town that strad¬ the region's oil and natural-gas wealth. keep the peace as the State dles Iraq's northern border and the Department and the United Nations semi-autonomous Kurdish region, a Kurds, pushed by their political leaders try to forge a lasting political compro¬ barricaded compound houses an elite and backed up by Kurdish security for¬ mise before U.S. troops leave Iraq at security team answering to Kurdish ces, rushed to populate much of the the end of next year. political leaders. But the town's police disputed territories after 2003. They chief, a Turkman, takes his orders say they simply went back to places "No one knows what exactly is going to from the Arab-led provincial govern¬ they were forced to flee when Mr. happen when we unplug completely ment seated in another town 60 miles Hussein razed hundreds of Kurdish from here," Col. Larry Swift, comman¬ away. villages in the area. der of U.S. Army forces in Kirkuk, an 48 oil hub within the disputed area, said The mistrust has bred violence, "We will not accept compromise over in an interview before his unit rotated making the region still one of the most Kirkuk's [Kurdish] identity," Masoud out in early November. dangerous for American and Iraqi for¬ Barzani, president of the Kurdish ces. Unlike any other place in Iraq, enclave's Kurdistan Regional The outcome of the American peace where the U.S. mission officially Government said in a speech this mission has ramifications across the became noncombat at the end of month. country. Its success or failure could August, Americans here still man the help determine whether Iraq splinters front lines and form something more In Baghdad's power-sharing deal, Mr. into several spheres of power: Kurdish, akin to a peacekeeping force. U.S. sol- Barzani emerged as a kingmaker, exac- Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti ting a heavy price from Mr. Maliki in U.S. forces have agreed to train and our arms and to surrender all our fate return for Kurdish parliamentary equip units of the Peshmerga, a to the nice words of this and that, backing for a second term. Mr. Barzani Kurdish military force, to the same absolutely not," Mr. Salih says. demanded the government carry out a level as the federal Iraqi army, which long-delayed census and referendum answers to Arab-dominated Baghdad. Meanwhile, Abdul-Rahman al-Obeidi, U.S. commanders say newly trained from Kirkuk, is lobbying to stand up on the status of contested territory an influential Sunni Arab tribal leader claimed by both Arabs and Kurds. Both measures would benefit the Kurdish forces will form a "regional his own 6,300-strong "Army of the Kurds after years of staking claims to guard" to patrol the disputed area and Arabian Knights" to counter the much of the disputed areas. Mr. Maliki the northern borders with Syria, Iran Kurdish influence. He says the Arab acquiesced. and Turkey, alongside the Iraqi army. force will ensure a "balance of power" But ultimate control of the force with the Kurds. Arabs and Turkmens say they will boy¬ remains up in the air. The units would cott a planned census the first nation¬ technically fall under Iraq's federal A senior U.S. official in Baghdad said wide count in Iraq since 1987 citing "defense architecture," said Barham Washington "would be concerned fears that it will tighten the Kurdish Salih, the Kurdistan Regional about any suggestion that Iraq's secu¬ political hold on the region. Government's prime minister. But in rity would be better served by the esta¬ reality, he said, they would remain a blishment of new security militias." separate, Kurdish-controlled force. All sides are watching and jockeying for position ahead of American forces' "If people expect us & to surrender scheduled full departure next year. 28 December 2010 iil Rudaw.N* 10,000 On the march: Kurdish pesh¬ Peshmerga in merga forces bearing Iraqi Baghdad To and Kurdish flags. Protect Kurds Photo/ft.com From Possible Coup Kurdish By SAMAN BASHARATI SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan: Ten thousand members of the Kurdish peshmerga forces have been sent to leader] "The Kurds should be aware of the Talabani are protected from any plots. Iraqi situation and their own situation," It's not as if we are just sitting there in Kurdish officials there from the possi¬ bility of a military coup, says a senior official from Kurdistan the Patriotic (PUK), one Union of of Iraqi he said. The a top Kurdish official has acknowled¬ ged the threat to Kurdish politicians of affairs, Mustapha, confirmed a senior member interview with Kurdish television chan¬ nel Gale Kurdistan that the PUK had "The Kurds [in Baghdad] are one of Bakhteyar. "Currently 10,000 said pesh¬ merga are deployed there to ensure that a spokes¬ least Sheikh to "a stationed Ja'far Rudaw few in for that thousand Baghdad to there was no real threat of a military coup against the Kurds in Baghdad. "I don't feel toward Kurds there from is any the Iraqi threat govern¬ ment, and we don't have any problems with any country to justify preparing military forces [for this]," said Yawar. "The peshmergas in Baghdad are only there to protect Talabani and the Iraqi cials Parliament." and... are under the authority Iraqi Defense Ministry," of said Confirming this viewpoint, Shwan Muhammad Darwesh, a Kurdish law¬ Mustafa However, he said he did not know if maker in the Iraqi government, ruled the number of peshmerga in Baghdad out any possibility of a coup against the was as high as 10,000. Kurds. "Because the blocs," at minister "[They] are in Baghdad to protect prepared for the "worst case scenario," including military coups. Jabar Yawar, Jalal Talabani and other Kurdish offi¬ of the PUK's political bureau, said in an political were peshmerga" Regional (KRG)'s peshmerga the a military coup in Baghdad. main Kurdistan Government there However, man for the Peshmerga Ministry, said come along." This is the first time since 2003 that the [PUK protect Kurdish leaders. Kurdistan's two ruling parties. Mala Bakhteyar, and Baghdad quietly waiting for a plot to Baghdad to protect Jalal Talabani - the Kurdish president of Iraq - and all other officials Iraqi [they] military take orders chief and from Jalal "The era of military coups in Iraq is over," said Darwesh. Talabani, we don't have anything to do with them," said Mustafa, adding that Kurds should always be aware of the possibility of a military coup. 49 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti DECEMBER 23, 2010 Southern Iraqi city eyes break from Baghdad By SINAN SALAHEDDIN, tussles over control of oil, as Associated Press have occurred Baghdad BASRA, Iraq recent both nessmen topic a two local dished simmering oil-rich Over dinner, friends to - busi¬ over a in Iraq's port city: whether boost Basra's future partially from breaking the federal by away govern¬ and between the Kurds. breakaway Basra could A also fall into turmoil as local fac¬ The central government in Baghdad resists Basra's provincial tions breakaway efforts vie could for come influence Iran, king to heavy neighboring already increase ties and under of which mic power with is loo¬ its econo¬ the mainly Basra is Basra act as Iraq's milk cow while we are starving?" arguing Najim that province Edan the that said, city and surrounds it strategically crucial Basra million is Iraq's province about 70 people, second-lar¬ and home to percent of the Iraqi province, capital than it gets located Persian back in government aid. After Gulf Kuwait and on the bordering Iran, is Iraq's Iraq private year has firms awarded since last the first deals of their kind in more decades than three six are for fields in Basra province. province is entitled to the hub for most of Iraq's oil gas exports of nearly 1.9 million percent barrels a day to the interna¬ crossing and port revenues. tional market. In factions and corruption if Basra declares autonomy. produced, Still, the forgotten milk replied. will we want," "And not Abbas if we get it do, we fresh, but Basra red looks by Iraq's conflicts, through It's a constant complaint in Basra, where foreign spurred oil a self-ruled a boom investment push to region south. The allows provinces away a Iraq's constitution groups of them into or to 2003 break autonomous failed oil must and Basra. approve gas amount $2 million a But Baghdad each project But the tide is turning, many of al-Maliki's now support Declaring res rendum of Basra's provincial council, by Jabar Ameen Jabir. provincial council eligible either could try province pools of stagnant water and share of sewage greater red streets dust-cove¬ where donkeys, stray dogs, sheep and goats profits over how and they nal vote. federal twice and security. Basra received it can from $190 million this council including a nearly $1 as an autonomous has a hold dum, only to from Baghdad. referen¬ meet stalling The move¬ ment is likely to rev up once more now that a investment Iran is coming billion plan to build housing, local administration year, but region it could claim up to $9 billion. voters. the Baghdad Election organize the Baghdad can't refuse drag vote. The push can be traced back its has Baghdad to but feet. Basra's twice asked organize The September, hotels and a mall. new to the one budget given to provinces to shortages. The biggest new council of or Independent bigger the motion attained, turns Commission of a refe¬ a third is are used. It would also get a slice province's and requests that the natio¬ fund to neighborhoods larger roam. sought Some oil say a endure water and electricity vincial one and requi¬ Holding requires of claim an referen¬ ning, according to the head that its a the Once mar in U.S.-led by pro¬ Basra's autonomy approval population. to and backers holding dum of garbage of autonomy referendum. tenth Piles Minister ahead provincial elections. regions akin to Kurdistan in and Prime With autonomy, the province kirts. for political before releasing the funding its outs¬ in was calls by for it and that is not happe¬ residential settlements crowd by it 5 border- should now to around day for of the north, out nationalism the invasion. Impoverished attempt when Iran with with in has create in war the a city batte¬ repeated starting 1980-1988 sour." like by history, the the alone meters along with from theory, share "Believe me, we will not get Another 150 ring local port. 2008 of Abbas was pessimistic, fea¬ between ces, including Basra. But the al-Maliki cubic of campaign failed to win sup¬ Nouri for of autono¬ region allies and Council southern or every conflict mous $1 for each barrel of oil pro¬ refined, the nine Shiite-majority provin¬ duced only outlet to the sea and is friend Supreme pushed for an drowned The ouster, fundamentalist Iraq Mohammed His Saddam's Islamic gas deals gest Baghdad, ignored the calls. Oil promises a bright future to 3 of 143.1 billion barrels. The it chief auto¬ for Basra. Of the 15 oil and about stopped if the Basra's nomy bid. for Iraq. With a population of sending more money to the thrive is of Shiite country's proven oil reserves could who Shiite province. ment in Baghdad. "How long will maker architect first the time federal in officials demanded additional docu¬ government in Baghdad was "While compa¬ to the 1920s, when a group ments formed this week. nies, mainly the oil ones, are of Basra's elite demanded it sary entering Basra to tap into its be attempt, in October, bogged An autonomy move in Basra resources, under British protection like down with could being neighboring delay in further weaken Iraq's the Basrawis crushed central government by divi¬ tion ding the nation and lead to Abdul-Latif, 50 foreign and by are depriva¬ poverty," said Wail a former law- declared a Gulf statelet Kuwait. The to prove support. the The the neces¬ second nine-month forming a federal British, who wanted a strong government, which has held central up government in projects across Iraq. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Parliament finally approved rule al-Maliki's new government violence on Dec. 21. could Maliki's unleash in State currently "There is a political Basra. of Law centralized control from the cal cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's ministries movement Baghdad that of the provincial council, but radi¬ including neighboring coun¬ the Dialogue, cal over Abbas and Edan's din¬ influence in the city. "This ner conversation. Yet fears abound that self- Hurriyet Edan said. December 27, that necessary be only at the be thing create a hotbed for corrup¬ tion and a and then every¬ "That environment will then major influence likened to will tical erupt, with 40- beginning, "Disputes between the poli¬ parties or tribes could a growing pain. Jabir said. "We are facing a clear centralized prejudice." engineer, possibility Worries of turmoil also hung in developing the province," Abbas, Edan, a 41-year-old electri¬ institution, said. its militia said Basra-based a private cultural holds considerable represents a major obstacle suffer," year old car dealer. tries," Yarub al-Mihamadawi party dominates comprehensive in from Al- will sorted out," gangs and we will 2010 DailyNews Turkish government, pro-Kurdish party quarrel over 'autonomy* Peace and ANKARA /Hiirriyet D aily News Democracy Party, or BDP, co-leader The Turkish prime minister has harshly Selahattin Demirtas criticized the main pro-Kurdish party s (L) speaks to repor¬ demand for autonomy and the broader ters in the southeas¬ use of the Kurdish language, accusing it of tern city of sabotaging the democratization of Diyarbakir. AA Turkey. photo Turkey s common language is Turkish. Any initiative to change this reality cannot be accepted. This is a matter of social peace and unity, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told parliamen¬ tary deputies late Sunday during budget talks at the Parliament. Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, co-chair Selahattin Demirtas responded to Erdoan on Monday. the change with He cannot stop threats and Workers Party, or PKK, which is listed racism or ethnic division. It s to protect as a a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. language. We believe in he said, arguing that the projects put forward by proKurdish groups aim to prevent division insults, Demirtas told reporters in the southeas¬ banned democracy and peace, It s a great unfairness to introduce in the country. tern province of Diyarbakir, adding that these unserious projects as the demands they were ready even to die in the strug¬ of my Kurdish brothers. To what extent But if the ruling party is determined to gle. do the owners of these proposals repre¬ insult Kurds and drive them away from sent my Kurdish citizens? How much the state, they should come clean and of openly We are trying to deepen the bro¬ therhood while the prime minister is deepening the division. [Turkey they Erdoan on Sunday was tight-lipped s] East and represent? the Southeast do prime minister asked. the a semi-autonomous which envision Kurdish region with its own parliament, flag and self- defense force. Outlined in a draft by the Democratic Society Congress, or DTK, an umbrella organization of pro- Kurdish groups, the proposals promp¬ ted investigations from a local court serve democracy, freedoms, social peace or brotherhood, the prime minister said. Noting June, Erdoan accused the BDP of trying redesign domestic politics with terror organizations reference to the in line approaches, a outlawed happy. The hand- in-hand as ahead of the general elections; this is Kurdish his choice. What he is doing will just the PKK representatives and its affiliates of Turkey population, Erdoan said: s Those who with the nationalists deepen the crisis. talk about democracy and freedoms are preventing my citizens from using their Demirtas also used a religious reference citizenship rights. They are doing this to criticize the prime minister, accusing through threats and pressure. Erdogan of defying Allah. He added to divide Turkey. Kurdistan Erdogan says, I will make you all similar, my nation is one, my language BDP leader says PM fueling nationa¬ is one, lism every one of you different, the BDP co-chair Minister, that Turkey will hold general elections in to nationalists His only make ledge any sort of surgery never Turkish said. will Reiterating that he will never acknow¬ Bringing these issues into the public will Demirtas that the government will never allow and the Supreme Court of Appeals. debate it, comments prime minister seems to want to walk about BDP proposals under the title of democratic autonomy, say [Erdoan s] whereas Allah says, said. Mr. Prime I created Criticizing Erdogan for fueling nationa¬ which holy book says that? How is this lism through his statements, Demirtas being a Muslim? said Monday that the BDP was trying to defend people s mother tongue freely. right to use This is their not 51 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti 23 décembre ZAMAN 2010 différences Du kémalisme vers une comme étant une richesse plutôt qu'une chose dont il faut avoir peur, comme par le passé, démocratie libérale des comportements plus responsa¬ bles et prudents nous aideraient plus efficacement en ce sens". Il n'y a pas dans Sahin Alpay ZamanFrance.fr la vie qui lisent régulière¬ ment mes chroniques connaissent mon point politique de de vue la sur l'évolution Turquie. Je son tive légitime vis à vis d'un régime où a réussi total à de instaurer l'armée société civile ? Non, par mais ils un les minorités ethniques et linguisti¬ la ques ont légalement le droit de par¬ mon¬ ler leur langue maternelle. trent que les citoyens ne toléreront évidemment en désormais plus aucun coup militaire. cessus Cela est phase avec démocratique en le pro¬ cours en Turquie répondant aux normes euro¬ Le deuxième événement important péennes. Si nous voulons vraiment qui s'est produit la semaine dernière que ce processus ait lieu, il est clair est le fait que Selahattin qu'il faut que la démocratie libérale de l'état de démocratie apparente, sous la tutelle de l'armée, à celui de le chef du un processus qui lui permet de passer paix démocratie libérale. et parti la pro Demirtas, kurde démocratie pour la (BDP), ait déclaré que désormais la région où il La semaine dernière, d'importants événements se sont produits dans le cadre de ce processus. Jeudi dernier, y a une majorité de kurdes entièrement bilingue. serait remplace le kémalisme, décrit par l' Etat-major comme étant le "fonde¬ ment philosophique de notre République". Il a incité les vendeurs dans les magasins à parler Le kémalisme, qui fait référence à la laïcité le procès d'environ deux cent mili¬ kurde durant leurs transactions quo¬ taires tidiennes, les entreprises et les mar¬ sur trois piliers. Le premier pilier est encore retraite, en dont fonction ou d'anciens à la chefs de nationaliste ques à prendre des noms kurdes, et la citoyens doctrine qui ne sont turque, estime repose que pas assez les matures l'armée de terre et des forces mari¬ les restaurants à proposer des cartes times, ainsi qu'une dizaine de géné¬ et raux et d'amiraux, a commencé. Ils particulier sur le fait que désormais qu'ils ont un tout ceci était légal. Lorsque le pré¬ une sont sident du Parlement a déclaré que le pilier fait autoritaire de la laïcité, par laquelle accusés d'avoir organisé complot visant à renverser le gouver¬ nement élu en 2003. pour nom de code Ce plan avait Sledgehammer. L'affaire Sledgehammer-qui désigne ce procès, octobre en 2008, préparation d'un gang donné le nom d' « référence vallée à une depuis qui s'est Ergenekon »(en mythique, anciennement célébrée par les Turcs) composé de militaires retraités, de commandants de l'armée, d'anciens chefs de la police, de journalistes, d'hommes d'affaires et d'autres sus¬ menus en de kurde. parler Parlement Il a insisté en kurde pourrait au division entre les partis, répondu, sein conduire à du une Demirtas a dans une de ces déclara¬ pour décider se l'Etat Enfin, comme ajoutant que son au Parlement, parti ne ferait système toute la tiquement élus ne pourront plus dés¬ tes en a la transfor¬ tré particulièrement rant la sur nomination silencieux son site : « de Gen nous Isik sommes concernés par le fait qu'un certain débat public langue actuel » concernant « évolue d'une façon tellement radicale qu'il risque d'al¬ Fin de l'impunité pour les putschis¬ population, qui homogène kémalistes, en place depuis la fonda¬ notre ormais échapper à la justice. unifié rendre instituée par l'Etat. Les politiques tion de la République, ont rencontré place conspirent de que et se plie à la forme de l'islam prises de position du BDP en décla¬ qui culturel but de l'air turque (TSK) qui s'était mon¬ a brisé son silence et a répondu aux ceux reli¬ turc, et qui adhère à la culture tur¬ citoyens que la « diviser le pays et créer un conflit des contre les gouvernements démocra¬ contrôle ethnique ». L'Etat-major de l'armée visant à instaurer le chaos dans dence deuxième conception mant en une nation qui ne parle que Kosaner comme chef de l' Etat-major, d'Etat militaire-montre de tout évi¬ Le une jamais aucune demande qui pourrait depuis le sur et par le troisième pilier repose sur le parlé éclairée. base monopolise, un soit eux-mêmes d'être guidés gion et limite les libertés religieuses. tions, que le BDSP n'exigeait pas que kurde par besoin élite pects tous impliqués dans le complot pays afin d'ouvrir la voie à un coup résistances et ont seulement mesures de pu la part être par oppressives. le des mises en moyen de Ces politiques ne peuvent plus être appliquées dans la Turquie actuelle, ni dans un monde de plus en lisé. plus libéralisé et globa¬ La Turquie pourra évoluer plus térer les fondements philosophiques rapidement de notre République ». d'une démocratie libérale si vers la consolidation l'Etat- Major arrive à comprendre cela, mais Nous parlons d'un connu ces pays qui cinquante a déjà militaires aboutis ou non. Le fait qu'il réussisse désormais à juger les fomenteurs de coups surtout Tourner la page du passé d'Etat peut si comprend dernières années énormément de coups d'Etat Le commentaire du président l'opposition aussi. Cela du n'a CHP le pas vrai¬ ment d'importance pour le pays si le Abdullah Gui, par rapport aux décla¬ CHP, dont l'assemblée générale a élu rations récemment ses nouveaux chefs, du incitation BDP, à la ressemblait vigilance, à une peut-être réellement en fait Parti social- qu'il démocrate. Ce qui compte, c'est que citoyens en général, mais aussi cer¬ y grâce à ses nouveaux chefs, il s'est tains membres de l'élite administra¬ tive et militaire, ont finalement réa¬ parlées dans notre pays... Alors que lisé nous traversons une période où nous que le l'implication fait de que l'armée a aussi avons d'autres commencé langues qui à considérer sont nos engagé à le devenir. un le pour les deux partis : "La langue offi¬ par être est avec cielle en Turquie c'est le turc, mais il expliqué déclare accord les être 52" sur le fait que les prises lisme. Ces procès prouvent-ils que la pense, que depuis la guerre froide elle suit de doutes de positions du BDP sont une initia¬ contrôle lecteurs diminue prestige et surtout son professionna¬ Turquie Les politique Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Observatoire de la Vie Politique Turque (OVIPOT). .23 décembre 2010 La question kurde à nouveau au premier plan de l'actualité politique turque Jean Marcou Observatoire de la Vie Politique Turque (OVIPOT) des. a question kurde occupe à nouveau le devant de la scène politique turque, depuis la tenue d'une table ronde, le week-end dernier à Diyarbakir, à l'initiative du DTK (Democratik Toplum Kongresi, Cet ensemble de propositions et d'initiatives montrent que la question kurde est entrée dans une nouvelle phase. Après l'échec de l'ouverture kurde du gouverne¬ Congrès pour une société démocratique), ce portail d'or¬ ment, à la fin de l'an passé, et le regain des actions de ganisations de la société civile kurde. Cette table ronde guérilla, a en effet débattu des voies possibles pour établir un organisations kurdes semblent avoir adopté une straté¬ système accordant une autonomie aux Kurdes, sans pour gie d'action civique, qui consiste à travailler concrète¬ autant ment sur le terrain, en procédant aux avancées culturel¬ déstabiliser l'Etat turc. Les participants ont qui avaient marqué le printemps 2010, les notamment évoqué une structure fédérale et la création les, économiques ou politiques qui peuvent être condui¬ d'un parlement régional. tes, dans le cadre légal actuel, et en espérant que ce Cette initiative a provoqué, le 20 décembre, une réac¬ Alors même que des élections législatives se profilent à mouvement incitera le gouvernement à bouger enfin. tion très vive nationale, du président Mehmet Ali de Sahin. Grande Assemblée l'horizon 201 1 , le gouvernement se retrouve néanmoins, Rappelant qu'il n'y avait la dans une situation délicate, pris entre son désir de pré¬ qu'un seul parlement en Turquie, celui qu'il préside, il a server le statu quo qu'il a négocié avec les Kurdes, à l'oc¬ demandé au BDP, la formation politique kurde, qui siège casion de la tenue du référendum de septembre dernier, dans son et la nécessité de ne pas prêter le flanc à des réactions hémicycle, de se démarquer de telles posi¬ tions, au risque, si elle ne le faisait pas, «d'avoir à en subir les conséquences». Cette menace n'a pas appréciée par le leader du BDP, Selahattin Demirtas (au centre sur la photo), qui a estimé qu'elle nationalistes. été était Ces dernières ne sont pas à exclure puisque le procureur en chef de la Cour de cassation, Abdurahman empreinte de l'esprit qui avait motivé le coup d'Etat du Yalçinkaya, 12 septembre 1980. La polémique a été suivie finale¬ contre le BDP, à l'issue de la table ronde de Diyarbakir. ment, le 21 décembre 2010, par une rencontre entre les Ce redoutable magistrat, qui a déjà obtenu la dissolu¬ deux hommes, destinée à faire baisser une tension qui tion du DTP, le prédécesseur du BDP, et qui avait engagé s'est nourrie, ces derniers jours, non seulement des pro¬ une positions de la table ronde du DTK à Diyarbakir, entend démontrer qu'il existe des liens organiques entre également de plusieurs incidents, qui mais ont défrayé la chronique. vient procédure d'ouvrir de une dissolution information contre l'AKP, judiciaire en 2008, les DTK et le BDP, et s'appuyer sur les propositions fédé¬ ralistes de la table ronde de dimanche dernier, pour démontrer que le parti parlementaire kurde contrevient A évoqué à la législation sur les partis politiques en soutenant des l'idée d'une accélération règlement de la question kurde plusieurs reprises, Selahattin Demirtas, a projets qui remettent en cause l'unité de la République. en Turquie, sans attendre des mesures gouvernementa¬ Une démarche contre laquelle le député kurde, les, par le biais d'initiatives prises par les organisations Yildiz s'est élevé, le 22 décembre dernier, en rappelant, et la société civile kurdes elles-mêmes. Ainsi, a-t-on vu qu'il n'y avait pas de liens organiques entre le BDP et le Bengi récemment des députés s'exprimer en kurde dans l'en¬ DTK ceinte du certains membres du BDP aux activités du DTK. Bengui que l'on Turquie, rues et parlement, généralise, une des et Selahattin dans dénomination sites, les Demirtas proposer provinces bilingue comme cela se kurdes (turc-kurde) fait en de mais seulement une participation individuelle de Yildiz a, en outre, mis en garde le gouvernement contre des les effets que pourraient avoir une éventuelle dissolu¬ Catalogne, tion du BDP, en estimant qu'elle ruinerait les efforts de depuis que celle-ci a retrouvé son autonomie en 1977. pacification Ces développements sont intervenus, alors même qu'il y depuis les débuts de la trêve proclamée par le PKK. Le a député peu, le leader du PKK, Abdullah Ôcalan, tout en annonçant la prorogation de la trêve qu'il avait décidée, et kurde de a négociations également qui se rappelé développent que la Cour Européenne des Droits de l'Homme venait de condamner avant le référendum du 12 septembre dernier, a déve¬ l'Etat turc pour la dissolution de l'un des prédécesseurs loppé l'idée d'un système fédéral, en encourageant les du BDP : le HADEP. Depuis le début des années 1990, 6 organisations formations politiques kurdes ont été dissoutes kurdes à prendre des initiatives en ce sens. Avant d'évoquer la création d'un parlement, le DTK Cour constitutionnelle : le parti du travail du par la peuple avait ainsi proposé, au début du mois de décembre, la (HEP- mise en place d'une force de sécurité autonome, desti¬ (DEP - Demokrasi Partisi), le Parti de la liberté et de la Halkin Emek Partisi), le parti de la démocratie née à lutter contre la criminalité dans les provinces kur 53 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti démocratie (ÔZDEP - Ôzgurlùk ve Demokrasi Partisi), autres langues maternelles doivent aussi pouvoir être le Parti de la démocratie du peuple (HADEP - Halkin librement utilisées en public... » Pour sa part, le lea¬ Demokrasi Partisi), le parti démocratique du peuple der du parlement, Mehmet Ali Sahin, a qualifié la ren¬ (DEHAP - Demokratik Halk Partisi) et le Parti pour une contre de «productive», mais il a estimé que les mem¬ société bres du parlement devaient «prêter plus d'attention à démocratique (DTP - Demokratik Toplum Partisi). Le BDP espère ne pas faire à nouveau cette l'unité du pays». expérience. point contribuera au maintien d'un échange qui ne soit Il faut espérer que cette mise au pas un dialogue de sourds, En tout état de cause, dans un esprit de conciliation, à l'issue de sa rencontre avec Mehmet Ali car il est essentiel pour promouvoir une solution politique durable. Sahin, JM Selahattin Demirtas a assuré que son parti ne deman¬ Professeur de droit public à l'Institut d'études poli¬ dait pas l'usage de deux langues au sein du parlement tiques de Grenoble, et pensionnaire scientifique à turc, et que les députés du BDP n'avaient prononcé l'Institut français d'études anatoliennes d'Istanbul quelques phrases en kurde que pour attirer l'attention (IFEA), où il dirige depuis 2006 l'Observatoire de la sur leur situation. Dans une démarche, à nouveau très vie politique turque (OVIPOT). catalane, le leader kurde a poursuivi en déclarant : « Oui, la langue officielle de ce pays est le turc. Mais les IRAK: QUATRE MORTS DANS UN POSTE DE POLICE ATTAQUÉ PAR DES KAMIKAZES sassinats. Les forces de sécurité irakiennes demeurent des cibles privilégiées des mouve¬ ments insurgés en Irak, et notamment de la branche irakienne d'AI-Qaïda. C'est elle qui avait notamment revendiqué la vingtaine d'attentats perpétrés le 25 août, au cours de laquelle 53 personnes, dont plus de la moitié de policiers, avaient péri. MOSSOUL 29 décembre. 2010- (AFP) Les violences en Irak ont nettement diminué par rapport au pic observé en 2006 et 2007. Et novembre a été le mois le moins meurtrier en un an pour la popula¬ DEUX KAMIKAZES ont visé mercredi matin un poste de police du nord de l'Irak, tuant quatre policiers, dont un officier qui avait supervisé la tion irakienne, selon des chiffres officiels. Pour autant, les attentats demeurent très fréquents en Irak, notamment dans la semaine dernière une opération contre la branche irakienne d'AI-Qaïda. province de Ninive, dont Mossoul est la capitale, en raison de tensions ethni¬ Le double attentat suicide a eu lieu vers 7H00 (4H00 GMT) dans le quartier de ques et confessionnelles qui compliquent la lutte contre Al-Qaïda. Qabr al-Binat, dans l'ouest de Mossoul, deuxième ville du pays située à 350 km Les relations entre Arabes sunnites et Kurdes sont particulièrement tendues au nord de Bagdad. dans la province en raison de la volonté des autorités du Kurdistan de rattacher "Les deux kamikazes visaient le lieutenant-colonel Chamil Ahmed Oglah, qui a une partie de ce territoire à leur région autonome, qui regroupe les trois provin¬ été tué", a indiqué un responsable de la police locale à l'AFP. ces de Dohouk, Erbil et Souleimaniyeh. Un troisième activiste équipé d'une ceinture d'explosifs a été abattu par la police Mossoul se trouve au coeur d'une bande de territoire de 650 km de long, de la avant de pouvoir activer sa bombe. Syrie à l'Iran, que se disputent le gouvernement central et les autorités du Trois autres policiers ont péri dans l'attaque, a indiqué à Bagdad une source au Kurdistan. ministère de l'Intérieur. Ninive compte en outre des minorités de chrétiens assyriens, de Chabaks, de Mais ce bilan pourrait s'aggraver, car 90% du bâtiment a été détruit par l'explo¬ Turcomans et de Yazidis. sion, selon le policier de Mossoul, ce qui implique que d'autres victimes pour¬ Malgré la baisse des violences, la sécurité a été citée par le Premier ministre raient être coincées sous les décombres. irakien Nouri al-Maliki comme un des dossiers prioritaires de l'action de son Les forces de sécurité ont fermé les rues proches du poste de police, interdisant nouveau gouvernement, qui a obtenu la semaine dernière la confiance du son accès aux journalistes. Parlement. Cette attaque pourrait être un acte de représailles contre le lieutenant-colonel De nombreuses capitales étrangères ont salué la formation de ce gouverne¬ Oglah, qui avait commandé la semaine dernière une opération contre une cel¬ ment, plus de neuf mois après les législatives, comme une étape cruciale pour lule d'AI-Qaïda au cours de laquelle un dirigeant de la branche irakienne du tourner en Irak la page de près de huit années de violences. réseau avait péri, a indiqué le responsable de la police de Mossoul. Avant de mourir mercredi, l'officier avait été la cible de quatre tentatives d'as Turquie: une journaliste kurde condamnée à 138 ans de prison rement les lois entre 2008 et 2009. Les juges ont émis un mandat d'arrêt contre la journaliste qui comparaissait à son procès comme prévenue libre. Elle peut encore faire appel de la sentence qui a coïncidé avec l'arrivée dans la ville, la plus importante du sud-est turc à majorité kurde, du chef de DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 30 décembre 2010 (AFP) l'Etat turc Abdullah Gùl. La Turquie compte une communauté kurde estimée entre 10 et 15 millions de personnes. Plusieurs lois ont été adoptées ces dernières années en EMINE DEMIR, une ancienne rédactrice d'un quotidien kurde de Turquie, a été condamnée jeudi par un tribunal de Diyarbakir (sud-est), faveur de l'octroi de droits culturels aux Kurdes pour renforcer notamment les chances du pays d'adhérer à l'Union européenne. à 138 ans de prison pour propagande en faveur des rebelles kurdes, a rapporté l'agence Anatolie. Cependant les médias kurdes sont parfois la cible d'harcèlement judiciaires notamment lorsqu'ils défendent la ligne du PKK. Mme Demir d'Azadiya Welat (liberté du Pays) a été reconnue coupable d'avoir défendu dans ses écrits la cause du Parti du travailleurs du Kurdistan Plusieurs journalistes kurdes sont emprisonnés en Turquie pour avoir fait (PKK), une organisation considérée comme terroriste par de nombreux l'apologie du PKK ou de son chef emprisonné Abdullah Ocalan. pays, un crime sanctionné par le code pénal turc. Sa peine a été alourdie, le tribunal soulignant qu'elle avait enfreint réguliè 54 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Rudaw.Net 27 December 2010 Kurds' Demand for 'Democratic Autonomy' in Turkey Causes Backlash By FIRAT KELEHKI Turkish /Rudaw officials have strongly denounced Turkish Kurds' recent demands for "democratic autonomy," formulated in a draft proposal by the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). "The proposal is simply pre-elec¬ tion political propaganda; it will pro¬ duce no results," said Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay in a recent press conference. Altan Tan, a DTK member, said no decision had been made about the proposal's future. Kurdish demands for "democratic autonomy" are being strongly denounced by Turkish officials. "We simply presented the propo¬ sal for discussion," said Tan. "We have gathered opinions on the propo¬ us what kind of Muslim you are. In Movement Party sal from 70 to 80 well-known writers which book is it written that all people those involved to behave rationally. are one?" in Turkey." He He said another conference may the prime minister was attacking the basic right of all humans what would be done with the propo¬ to have their own language, identity sal. and culture. in a few Atalay months described to all uprising," it said. BDP accused of wanting to abo¬ lish Turkish constitution The draft proposal for democratic "If you think you [Erdogan] can autonomy was first discussed at a spe¬ erase all these to create one people by cial conference in Diyarbakir on 18th the democratic autonomy proposals as a divisive and warned "This proposal is a preparation for said decide be held (MHP) "dangerous trap" for Turkey, and said scaring the population with a wave of December, attended by a number of his nationalism, then I, as the chairman of Turkish and Kurdish politicians and the BDP, tell you that the Kurds are academics. government already allowed Turkish Kurds their rights, including not scared," said Demirtash, those of language. "Turkey is one country," said Atalay. "Turkey's official language is mother tongue can do so in The proposal dealt in Turkey in a spirit of "brotherhood." Kurds: political, legal, security, eco¬ Nationalists say two languages will partition Turkey aspects of autonomy parties criticized what they viewed as fessor who, although languages the conference, said for political Prime Erdogan also proposal as Minister strongly a Tayyip criticized the political "trap," and denounced the Kurdish demands for a "silence" over is one nation language - Turkish," with one said Erdogan. "We are against a politically decentra¬ lized system, [although] we support Midhet Sancar - a university pro¬ as threat to Turkey. BDP Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the Republican People's Party (CHP), take action over the Kurds' call for "What a "positive" step, often problems so promises behind might closed he have doors?" said step constitution. trying Demirtash to said compete Erdogan with God's authority over such matters. "God said: T created you in diffe¬ rent groups,'" said Demirtash. "If you think it is your duty to unify all the people, Mr. Prime Minister, then tell it However, attempting was Kurdish had not be discussed," said toward the partitioning of the Rashad Dughro, an MHP lawmaker in the northern city of Tokat, Salahadin he said the that addressed but let zing two languages in Turkey was a co-chairman to "Now the BDP has offered a pro¬ posal, Oglu, adding that officially recogni¬ BDP the unable offered any solutions up till now. be managed through the municipali¬ However, as demanded be decentralization in services which can ties alone." invited to was Sancar. autonomy. made he attend - described the draft proposal posal, and described the proposal as a accused Erdogan of not being ready to more decentralized government. "Turkey minister's the Kurd's democratic autonomy pro¬ campaigns." Turkish prime the and diplomatic. party law has changed, so today other used for nomic, social, cultural, environmental Turkey. As well as this, the political be eight main The leftist and nationalist Turkish can with that Kurds simply wanted to co-exist Turkish, but whoever wants to speak their adding told Rudaw to the abolish BDP the was Turkish "We will not allow the partitioning country. "Belgium is a very good example of Turkey," said Dughro. "The official for us," he said. "As a result of them language of Turkey is Turkish. When using a language other than Turkish is used two different languages, they have been divided. This sort of atti¬ in Turkey, it is a strategy to partition tude Turkey." does not bring society closer together; it divides society." A statement from the Nationalist 55 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti DECEMBER 28, 2010 NEWS Iraqi Kurds push for recognition of oil deals The insistence from the Kurds could foil Iraq's ambitious plans to raise daily oil exports to 2.25 million barrels in 2011. By SINAN SAIAHEDDIN Associated Press Iraqi oil minister Abdul-Karim Elaibi speaks to reporters BAGHDAD: Iraq's Kurds said Tuesday they won't in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, dec. 27, 2010....(AP) resume oil exports from their self-ruled territory unless the central government recognizes the contracts if all "our deals are recognized officially in a signed paper by they have already signed on their own with international Baghdad," he told the Associated Press. energy companies. Iraqi Kurds have signed more than two dozen production sha¬ ring agreements with mid-sized companies from Turkey, U.K., Austria, U.S., Canada, Korea and China. Under those deals, the companies are entitled to a share of the profits from the oil produced. The deals are deemed illegal by the Baghdad central govern¬ ment that has only awarded 15 oil and gas service contracts to international companies since 2008. Baghdad managed to negotiate more attractive terms in its deals, paying developers just a flat fee for each barrel produ¬ ced, rather than surrendering a share of the profits. They do not recognize the Kurdish deals and refuse to honor the pro¬ duction sharing agreements. The Kurds started exports in June 2009. They were halted few In this May 31, 2009 file photo, an employee works at Tawke oil fields in the semiautonomous... (AP Photo) months later amid disagreements with Baghdad over pay¬ ments. Iraq's new oil minister, Abdul-Karim Elaibi, last week declared the dispute over how private companies accounted for equip¬ ment costs and other expenses for reimbursement has been settled, clearing the way for the exports to resume. The Kurds' condition could foil ambitious Iraqi plans to raise daily oil exports to 2.25 million barrels in 2011 from the cur¬ rent 1.9 million. Oil revenues account for nearly 95 percent of Iraq's budget as the energy-rich nation tries to rebuild the Elaibi said Baghdad would receive all the oil produced for export and would pay only the costs incurred by the develo¬ pers. country after decades of wars and international sanctions. "Baghdad wants everything free of charge," Balo said by phone Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the regime of from Irbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in Saddam Hussein, the Kurds have sought greater control over northern Iraq. "We can't do that since we are committed to the oil in their autonomous region in northern Iraq while Baghdad companies to have a share in the produced oil," he said. has argued that oil is a national resource under the central government's control. In 2004, the Oslo-based DNO became the first independent Western oil company to secure an oil deal in Iraq after the Ali Hussein Balo, an adviser to the Kurdish Ministry of 2003 U.S.-led invasion by signing a production sharing Natural Resources said the crude-rich region can significantly contract with the Kurds to develop the Tawke field in Dahouk contribute to the nation's target of raising oil exports next year province. by shipping 150,000 barrels a day out of the country, but only 56 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti 25 décembre 2010 l,:£Arf\fc"'îj3i Le Kurdistan, abri de Noël pour les chrétiens d'Irak Ammar Ablahad a quitté Bagdad pour le Kurdistan irakien, résolu à fêter Noël avec sa femme et son bébé sans craindre un attentat. par Namo Abdulla /(Reuters) semi-autonome sous occidental. passe Elle parrainage désormais pour un havre de sécurité dans un A pays globalement dangereux. INKAOUA, Irak - La veille de Noël, des milliers de "La différence est complète", dit fidèles étaient rassemblés à l'église cet ingénieur des travaux publics âgé Mar Youssouf d'Aïnkaoua et dans sa de 32 ans qui s'est joint à des milliers cour extérieure, ornée de lumières d'autres chrétiens d'Irak partis pour vives et d'un grand sapin de Noël. le Nord à la suite d'attaques meur¬ trières et de menaces persistantes Des dizaines de policiers armés de mitraillettes montaient la garde contre une communauté chrétienne autour qui ne cesse de diminuer. étaient en place hors de la ville afin Le plus sanglant de ces attentats a fait 52 morts le 31 octobre en pleine messe à la basilique syriaque Notre-Dame du Perpétuel secours de Bagdad, lors d'une prise d'otages de l'église. Des barrages de prévenir toute attaque, a indiqué le lieutenant Raouaz Azad, directeur de la police de la route. Devant l'église Mar Youssouf, des voitures couvertes de serpentins de suivie d'un assaut des forces de sécu¬ couleur et arborant de petits pères rité. Noël sur leurs tableaux de bord Dans une église à Kirkuk, à 250 km au Dans sa bénédiction "urbi et avançaient péniblement, pare-choc orbi", le pape Benoît XVI a exprimé contre pare-choc, au son de la chan¬ samedi l'espoir que Noël allège la son "Jingle bells" (Vive le vent). nord de Bagdad. Au Kurdistan, les chré¬ tiens ont pu fêter Noël dans un climat moins tendu que dans la capitale ira¬ douleur des communautés chrétien¬ Dans certaines rues d'Aïnkaoua, nes d'Irak et du Moyen-Orient, où le des enfants attendaient le père Noël. Vatican redoute que la violence n'ac¬ Chaque année, des hommes habillés célère un exode chrétien. en rouge parcourent la ville en 4x4 et en faisant quelques achats de der¬ distribuent des cadeaux. nière minute au Bazar Boto. Soucieux de prévenir de nou¬ veaux bains de sang, plusieurs diri¬ A geants chrétiens ont recommandé à irakien, Erbil, des capitale du centres leurs coreligionnaires de fêter Noël sont ornés d'arbres avec discrétion et de limiter les céré¬ banderoles monies aux prières et aux messes. Noël". Kurdistan commerciaux de Noël et de proclamant "Joyeux kienne. (Reuters/Ako Rasheed) Mais pour certains réfugiés, le chagrin qu'inspire la vie à laquelle ils ont tourné le dos limite les réjouis¬ sances de Noël. "Je ne vais pas faire la fête parce Le risque de nouveaux attentats a "Il est devenu impossible d'avoir amené les forces de sécurité irakien¬ ce genre de chose à Bagdad", note Hekanoch nes à mettre en place des murs de Ablahad en se protégeant du froid seure protection surmontées de fils barbe¬ devant une église d'Aïnkaoua avec cherchant lés ses proches. pour ses quatre enfants. "Mon mari autour de Bagdad. Les plusieurs églises décorations de de Noël brillaient par leur absence. Le Haut-Commissariat de l'Onu pour les réfugiés a indiqué la Mais à 300 km environ au nord semaine dernière de la capitale, à Aïnkaoua et dans familles chrétiennes, d'autres villes kurdes, l'atmosphère 6.000 personnes, est sont Kurdistan irakien en provenance de ornées de lumières fluorescentes et Bagdad, Mossoul et d'autres régions. à l'allégresse. Les églises de banderoles tandis que des hautparleurs diffusent musique et chants à plein volume. Les un millier soit de n'ai pas d'argent", Harkouone, d'université des de confiait ex-profesBagdad, vêtements en d'hiver est chargé de la sécurité de l'église, ajoutait-elle. Il est notre unique source de revenus." environ avaient gagné le chrétiens naguère estime qu'un que je d'Irak million aujourd'hui et leur étaient demi. On nombre à 850.000 environ sur une population OASIS SEMI-AUTONOME totale de 30 millions d'habitants. Bayane Aoudech, Le Kurdistan est une oasis rela¬ tive en Irak depuis 1991, année où la région a acquis le statut d'enclave femme de 50 ans, a déclaré que même ses voisins musulmans participaient à l'atmos¬ phère festive de Noël. "Eux aussi ont acheté un arbre de Noël", a-t-elle dit 57 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti THE HUFFINGTON POST THE lltTMivirt ttEVSrAM.li: SIVS D 28 December 2010 CONULWrt toward 'A success story in increasing which I believe nationalism, is ideology. Nothing instills natio¬ nalism more than oppression and the Middle East' fear." Iraqi Kurdistan, to the U.S. their regional government, cente¬ red on what President the Jalal U.S.'s Middle interview son of Iraq's Talabani success East. religion, the It was that in the during covered Turkey, called story an part of the world with majestic society mountains, where Kurds opened with a natural beauty that is unri¬ their gates to Iraqi Christians see¬ valed, but with a population that king refuge from extremist vio¬ has seen so much tragedy that has the have politics, Iran, and the Kurdish attitude toward the U.S. Qubad Talabani Prime It was one of many times during our discussion that I was remin¬ stated, That difference was eviden¬ U.S. fingerprints on it and I can't point to too many of those right now in the Middle East. " A 2007 profile described the Iraqi president's son as "Englishonetime Italian-car mechanic with an American wife- -[who] handles his duties with aplomb, rushing around town in subtle suits to meet with policy makers and power brokers." The Italian cars the mechanical engineering degree have given to since mechanics of way diplomacy. My research for a book. Their history culture fascinate me. I became aware of Qubad Talabani as part of that research and have watched his transformation from candid, engaging and achingly interested in putting across to the American people what the Kurds have accomplished and how much of that progress they attribute to past, current, and ~ emphasized - - ongoing U.S. engagement in the region. We with his hundreds sands left Iraq have of thou¬ altogether. They've shown the same tole¬ rance toward other as Mr. out, "like Americans." "It's important for Americans to know that out of the nearly five thousand U.S. casualties in Iraq, not one of those casualties have do arise, are cultural Talabani was in nature. candid occurred in the Kurdistan about region," he said, "we've not lost the challenges faced by women in one U.S. serviceman or civilian, their rural regions, with crimes of for honor killings and female genital through mutilation, proud on which, he said, that matter, in hostile action. Kurdistan, We're of a statistic that always we want to keep it that way. Why nalist movement among Kurdish begun work to stop. It won't be is it? First and foremost, Kurds, youth that had them turning from easy. In the male dominated cul¬ by the ture that exists in the rural areas, States Kurds he points out that it will take reli¬ view you as occupiers. We liked as gious leaders and village elders to the fact that you were there." Islam to ancient when Zoroastrianism, religion they of were the known the Medes. It's a faith that includes, change as its precepts, tolerance toward been other religions, protection of the equality of the sexes, truth, and loyalty toward family, country and God. There's no evidence a wider movement, although those some practices. progress There's in those efforts, including a statement by the Kurdish Islamic authority to condemn the practices, but, as he said, of the "we can't shy away" from That's in contrast with the high participation of women are Muslim, their parliament, their presence in in by those in rural areas. But, even the armed forces (Peshmerga and there, it is not the same as in other police), their access to education parts of the Middle East. I brought up "Kurds a and hold saying their I'd Islam activities in civic life. The cities of Iraqi Kurdistan are boo¬ ming. There's money from oil with a light touch." Mr. Talabani and billions in investment from explained the phrase, "Kurds are foreign companies, pouring into Kurds first today and, in my opi¬ everything nion, it's because when we lopment from to resource mega deve¬ malls. The were being massacred ~ nobody regional government has built an came out in the Muslim world to information technology academy, say: 'hang on a minute. This is a police academy, water and grid wrong.' infrastructure improvements with No religious authority from Cairo or Saudi Arabia or electricity any of the other epicenters of the unlike the rest of Iraq. near prewar levels, massacred by supposed Muslims dant, cooler in summer, snowy in Talabani's objection to the death in winter with tall mountains, wild- penalty, which came up when he That's gone form of Saddam's a long way, Iraq. again, Talabani the United We didn't acknowledged Western concerns that the Kurds might be too close to Iran, but defied those making the state¬ ments to prove that anything has been done against U.S. interests. Also country, unlike Iraqi the rest Kurdistan Kurdish Talabani their concern closeness said, "is about to find Iran," me one example where we have carried out an action or a policy that has been consistent with Iran's inte¬ rests and, at the same time, detri¬ mental to haven't done U.S. it. interests. We Of course we want to have good relations with all of the countries that we live next door to. We didn't pick the neighborhood that we live in. It picked us." He was more specific about another neighbor. "Turkey has transformed from this secular, cold war ally of the the view liberators. expressed explore that option. Most Kurds is practiced large, as "What I've told those who've to be done. in Iraqi Kurdistan are now free to which and the problem. There's more work here are Muslim brothers being Jalal Kurds," points religious Muslim world came out and said of the Talabani minorities. Problems, when they father's confirmation action in Iraqi Kurdistan. "This is because Iraq have resettled in Kurdistan." reelection as president of Iraq and 58 started regrettably, and, makes us knock on wood because heard, scene. was families the Middle East, reports and has the diplomat on the Washington Talabani any U.S. casualties due to hostile Christian Kurdistan, unlike other parts of Kurdish exile raised in Britain to Mr. bly settled in Kurdistan 12,000 to ced by a statement from Qubad the interest in the Kurds began with and That pride includes the fact Talabani about a growing natio¬ environment, and of national pride." that there has not been, to date, were than perceptions of them by many in the West. Middle East that has significant a welcoming ded of how different the Kurds "there is a success story in the accented, this Talabani explains; "we've proba¬ Minister and Foreign Minister, Tariq Aziz. valleys policy [to Iraqi Christians];" Mr. Mr. for their involvement in Iraq. As Deputy sweeping instilled in us an enormous sense had tion order for Saddam Hussein's former a East. I view it as this beautiful Those who've chosen not to leave said he would not sign the execu¬ it pluralistic 15,000 for consider lism is the common belief in a "We've Qubad Talabani, the Kurdish representative "I distinctly huffingtonpost with said, vibrant, thriving, civil society in nationa¬ lence. conversation "Iraqi Kurdistan is to me..." Talabani the heart of a turbulent Middle In By Janet Ritz Arecent falls (see slideshow below). a defensive of the is ver¬ flowers, rushing rivers and water the United States," he explained, "[which was] Ataturk Kemalist's vision, pro-Israel, another non- Arab, pro-Israeli group of demo¬ crats who were secular in the Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Middle East. That was the perfect their combination of attributes for the help them develop their society. United States at the time. That is no longer the same Turkey. Turkey has changed. Turkey has a new government, a new government with a new mandate; a new platform - a very strategic and systematic shift in policy which places its emphasis on the region of the world it lives in." This brought up the problem of Kirkuk, the Iraqi investment "The oil fund; there of Iraq," to Talabani explained, "has been a curse for the Kurds since Iraq's inception. We've never truly benefited from our so-called natural resource. in Kurdistan because although Muslim, used to genocide fund against the war the of Kurdish it it couldn't society was there, predominantly although it was in the rural areas predominantly conser¬ We The impression I took away from the interview was that the Kurds have more in common public that there is a world economic They has are been made sophisticated aware. in their We're reading the We've become more we're ready." understanding of the fickle nature of world powers. They know the President Hussein into Iraq War was unpopular and have was into our their own take on the U.S. inva¬ Qubad Talabani "You've from the city, leveling whole our educational neighborhoods, them with and Arab replaced and property rights and administra¬ tion of the reserves has become what Mr. Talabani called "messy." It's messy because everyone has claim to the province with its sector, agricultural sector." Turkmen families. Resolving the issues of infrastructure, The genocide refers is which Saddam's Campaign During to of the that time, Anfal late the he Kurds directly. promoting tration. ting "There's what I wished of America came into Iraq for and what they did come into Iraq for," gassed from the air in what still is Talabani explained, "I think that, the largest poison gas attack upon ultimately, after 9/11, there was a a civilian new order and a new state of play The des¬ Obama 'turning sion of Iraq that differs from the Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan were population. In reference to a comment by one offered by the Bush adminis¬ 1980's. in long-term commitment with Iraq, of the sale of that oil and gas into developing leaves. astute United States is serious about a hope of reinvesting the proceeds Kurds tea observing political reality. If the Kurdistan border atop the that crisis the United States is caught vast oil and gas reserves. Saddam depopulated know up in and is suffering as a result have an opportunity to develop States. is Iraq fatigue. We know of it. We know all these things. with the West than the American our oil and gas sector with the there that intolerant ideology. " people. So, for the first time, we a city that straddles ciples? We see the debate in the United vative, it was just not tolerant of On the contrary, this resource has been and the in that the page America in Iraq', responded talked democracy. Kurdistan. about It's star¬ Embrace it. Support it. Defend it. You want to talk about starting energy in security. Kurdistan. apply it in can nationally. Counterterrorism today It's We is Kurdistan. happening All of the things that we have hoped for in oil. The Arab and Turkmen fami¬ cription of that gassing is horri¬ in the world and the United States lies established by Saddam have fic, was leading the charge. Saddam lived The women and children. More Kurds was Kurds that were displaced have were rounded up and disappeared mass come back to demolished homes in what the Iraqi High Criminal threat to say peace, stability, of difficulty and streets. The inclusion of the Court allies in the region and, by exten¬ position. Mr. Talabani referred to Turkmen inte¬ declared a genocide against the sion, espe¬ Kurdish people. The Kurds feel why cially, their concern about Kurds this loss at their core and are still the expanding should recovering their dead. There was Iraq had weapons of mass des¬ added, "what would be nice for they be given the administration a recent ceremony in their capital truction. We were quietly, publi¬ Americans of Kirkuk. city, Erbil, cly, actively trying to inject into spectrum the war have a friend in the Kurds. And, issues of human rights violations, even though there may be times issues the when we might disagree with one Kurds, issues of genocide against another, this friendship we feel is rest, there as a generation. gamers Turkey's does the oil and, their territory The Turks watch this because they have their own large with many has, of just its this victims past year, where the bodies of long-missing Kurdish children were returned to their families. Kurdish minority which is not as The Iraqi Kurds' peaceful well off as Iraq's Kurds. A rebel society is a testament to their gro¬ Kurdish group out of Turkey, the wing maturity. They've seen vio¬ PKK, which encamps just over lence used against them and bet¬ viewed with weapons destruction the the as United That's argument of Iraq justification of mortal States. principle liberation a was for genocide of this against the lack of political freedom, so red important in world politics, the differences with the support regrettably." Kurdistan but have not been dis¬ of the Clinton Administration and lodged formed support from their of mountain a government camps in the north of Iraq. The two U.S. Kurdistan and Turkey to improve the lot of the Democratic Party) Turkish share has reduce been working Kurds, which support for the with could PKK parties in region. (Patriotic with Union the the of all of the stuff that is not conside¬ What's the formation of their Kurdistan while they struggle to survive. Oil was another topic took twenty- democracy. semi-autono¬ horrors to with the and rebuilding of a lenges. The Kurds interacted clo¬ sely with the Bush administration years, and, worse, knew The for which they'd been subjected, the them. conversation. Foreign investment Kurds have no patience for extre¬ Obama has for how better to deal transition administration or to the has pre¬ mist groups like Al Qaeda. "Our sented its own challenges for the society does Kurds. Mr. Talabani was specific: head. called insurgency," Mr. Talabani mony into They to Iraqi held open Kurdistan a recent cere¬ a facility to be embraced. It not tolerate the so near was adamant, "Al Qaeda tried to Erbil. Deals have been made with set up a base in Kurdistan after it scores of companies. The Kurds knew it was going to get hamme¬ are open for business. Their posi¬ red in Afghanistan. The intention tion on these resources is that it's was to set up a base of operations "What the for, in in the United States will world particular, is what we need help, guide us where we need when guidance, we need work to be with us worked with." with like a spigot opened on a well¬ come needs appreciate this and help us where It's not been without its chal¬ for past Middle East. This success story tions five seats. They are building their the many of those right now in the is the tion along with future administra¬ in opposition to the two Given from red. I'm hopeful this administra¬ primary Iraqi that has significant U.S. finger¬ the associated growing pains that List thriving a developed. It shouldn't be igno¬ when a is manage opportunity to improve their situation enough at "there pursue diverse society. border with, dom they now enjoy while they Kurdish parliament parties closed power- that third group, known as the Change the He success story in the Middle East shouldn't be feared. It needs to be has to wonder what it would take across you mous region and the relative free¬ come look regrettable Kurds' point of view held an election in 2009 where a can political that prints on it and I can't point to too not within Turkish borders, but one they is Kurdish their semi-autonomous The the know strong, is deep, and is based on during the 1990's. They resolved the across to core values and core principles." Iraqi have the president as "caught between constant struggle of many Iraqis - not conflict the Obama's Iraqis, issues of torture and of the EU and Turkey. The PKK does an understand of President knew how that felt. To this, he outbreak of internecine in Kurds that red a terrorist group by the U.S., factions The Iraq and a hard place" and said he ween own in the Kurdistan region of Iraq." for the Iraqi border, has been decla¬ their broader Iraq are today happening looking we are looking for as Kurds," he pointed out, "is a clear vision from the United States. What are its core interests? What are its core prin 59 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti ' ££ftf du 29 décembre 2010 au 4 janvier 2011, numéro 851 . a. i?i Iraq . Le Parlement a accordé sa confiance an gonvernement d'unité nationale dirigé par Nouri Al-Maliki et a adopté son programme visant à libéraliser l'économie, développer la production pétrolière et les services tout en combattant le terrorisme et la corruption. Les défis du nouveau gouvernement Maliki E n Maha Salem Cin euf mois après les élec- 1^1 tions législatives, le gouvernement iraqien a enfin été approuvé par le Parlement. De longues tractations ont eu lieu tout au long du mois dernier, afin de former ce gouvernement de compromis. Mais une lourde tâche pèse celui-ci. Il sur les faudra épaules tout rétablir la sécurité confirmer régime de d'abord en Iraq et l'instauration démocratique. d'un A cet égard, le premier ministre ira¬ qien Nouri Al-Maliki a sélec¬ tionné cinq dossiers prioritaires : la sécurité, les finances, le pétrole, l'électricité et les rela¬ tions avec l'étranger. « Les défis qui nous attendent sont énor¬ mes. Nous devons avoir une poli¬ tique claire dans les domaines de la sécurité, des finances, du pétrole et de l'électricité et amé¬ liorer nos relations extérieures », a déclaré Al-Maliki, lors du pre¬ mier Conseil des ministres réuni au lendemain de l'intronisation du gouvernement. mier ministre Mais iraqien le pre¬ n'a tou¬ jours pas nommé de ministres ni pour l'Electricité ni pour le Pétrole. Il a expliqué aux députés qu'il avait décidé de retarder ces nominations réception en raison tardive de de la certains postulants. « J'ai décidé de retar¬ der ces nominations, car j'essaie de choisir les meilleurs et les plus expérimentés, mais malheu¬ reusement, j'ai reçu certaines (candidatures) très tard, et j'ai besoin de temps pour les exami¬ ner », a expliqué Maliki. Avec une secrétaire seule femme d'Etat sans qui est porte¬ feuille, ce gouvernement de com¬ promis compte 45 ministères et secrétariats d'Etat. L'Alliance nationale, qui regroupe les partis religieux chiites et occupe 159 des 325 sièges, s'octroie la part du lion avec le poste de premier ministre, de vice-premier minis¬ tre et 17 portefeuilles, dont celui du Pétrole. de vice-premier ministre et 8 Maliki : le manque de présence ministères, dont les Finances, et féminine les Kurdes (57 sièges) qui gar¬ Ainsi, sous la pression des dépu¬ dent leur poste de vice-premier au nouveau cabinet. tés, le Parlement a voté samedi ministre et gèrent 3 ministères, une résolution affirmant que la dont les Affaires étrangères. La question des femmes était « sa petite priorité coalition Wassat (10 siè¬ », et qu'un comité de ges) obtient 2 ministères, et un suivi a été créé à cet effet. C'est chrétien de ce un Oussama devient ministre l'Environnement. décompte Selon l'AFP, Al-Noujaïfi. Si la Constitution stipule qu'un quart ministres nommés jusqu'à main¬ des députés soit des femmes, il figurent 20 parmi son président les tenant de qu'a annoncé chiites, 10 (91 sièges) qui obtient un poste 60 sur la lutte contre la corruption, le développement des n'y a, en effet, aucun quota pour sunnites, 4 Kurdes et un chré¬ le gouvernement. Et la nomina¬ tien. tion d'une seule femme au gou¬ ments, l'accroissement de la pro¬ duction pétrolière, la lutte contre le terrorisme et le confessionnalisme, et l'amélioration des rela¬ tions avec L'Iraq sur vernement a mis le feu aux pou¬ dres. Accusé, Nouri Al-Maliki a plus vite possible les ministres renvoyé concernés par la sécurité, afin de groupes politiques, qui n'ont pas garantir pays. présenté suffisamment de candi¬ Maliki dates pour le gouvernement, mal¬ Jusqu'à la stabilité du maintenant, la responsabilité sa gré ses appels répétés. « J'avais de la Défense, de l'Intérieur et de demandé à tous les groupes poli¬ tiques de proposer des femmes, iraqiennes doivent être capables et je ne vous cache pas d'assurer la sécurité lorsque les n'ai reçu qu'une seule candidate que je 50 000 derniers soldats améri¬ ». Et pour trouver une issue à cains auront quitté le territoire cette question, il a insisté sur le d'ici fin 2011. A plusieurs repri¬ fait que l'un des 43 points de son ses, le premier ministre a programme de gouvernement annoncé qu'il ne souhaite pas de fait mention de « la nécessité de prolongation de la présence amé¬ promouvoir ricaine, nine ». tout en se targuant la condition fémi¬ ces. « Nous avons surmonté la cette année de contrats d'exploi¬ es députés ont approuvé le a voit programme gouvernemen¬ tal en 43 points, qui pré¬ notamment de « passer mais cela ne veut pas dire que la d'une économie centralisée à une économie de marché, de dévelop¬ d'opposition armée per », a-t-il pré¬ Une les secteurs commercial ainsi autre question dérange avec des compagnies internationales. La production a atteint 2,5 millions de b/j. Par ailleurs, les services publics sont toujours dans un état déplo¬ rable, notamment la production d'électricité. C'est le nouveau vice-premier ministre Hussein Chahristani, ministre du Pétrole et de dans l'Electricité le par intérim gouvernement sortant, qui est chargé provisoirement du dossier en attendant la nomina¬ tion du titulaire. La demande d'électricité ne cesse de croître et les coupures de courant ont entraîné de violentes manifesta¬ Affaires violence est finie, qu'il n'y a plus cisé. économie, notamment après la conclusion étrangères, le Kurde Hoshyar Zebari, en poste depuis année 3 500 personnes ont été violence et frappé les hors-la-loi, pétrolière, son nationales, c'est au ministre des Un nouveau programme pouvoir en 2006, même si cette tuées dans des actes de violen¬ production relancer voisins. tions. Quant aux relations inter¬ d'avoir divisé par sept le nombre des morts depuis son arrivée au pays principalement aux assure l'intérim des ministères la Sécurité nationale, les forces les compte tation Pour M. Maliki, il faut choisir le services, l'encouragement aux investisse¬ pour industriel que et 2003, que revient la tâche d'amé¬ liorer les relations avec les voi¬ sins, notamment avec la Syrie, et surtout l'Arabie Saoudite, qui n'a jamais accepté de voir les sunni¬ tes évincés du pouvoir au profit des chiites. celui des transports », selon le document Juste après, il y a la liste Iraqiya plus, le programme insiste aussi présenté aux parlementaires. Par ailleurs, le cabinet n'est pas totalement renouvelé, puisque le Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti premier vice-pre¬ apportons notre plein soutien », proche mier ministre kurde, le chef de ministre, un a déclaré Iyad Allaoui. « Ce cabi¬ ministre. la diplomatie, le niinistre de la net ne représente pas l'ambition Jeunesse et des Sports ainsi que du premier ministre, mais celle Les législatives de mars ont été nature à apaiser les craintes de deux secrétaires d'Etat gardent des marquées par le ceux qui redoutaient un regain leurs postes. Maliki) aurait préféré diriger un lisme. Les chiites ont voté pour de violences intercommunautai¬ gouvernement une la liste de l'Etat de droit de M. res. groupes politiques. basé (M. sur conseiller du premier Conseil confessionna- Le chef de la liste laïque Iraqiya, majorité (parlementaire) plutôt Maliki et l'Alliance nationale ira¬ qu'un cabinet qienne alors que les sunnites se longtemps le les résultats des élections ont sont prononcés en masse pour la poste de ce dernier, a proposé de fait qu'un gouvernement de la liste laïque Iraqiya de l'ancien « tourner la page ». « Nous espé¬ majorité aurait été un gouverne¬ premier rons né ment d'une seule couleur confes¬ Ce dans la douleur, réussira pour le sionnelle, ce qu'il a voulu éviter d'ores bien de la population, et nous lui », rejoindrait le gouvernement en que espéré le occuper gouvernement, a indiqué Ali Mais Moussawi, un national de politique stratégique. Sa décision est de le rival de M. Maliki, et qui a d'alliances. tant que dirigeant d'un nouveau ministre dernier, Iyad Allaoui. un chiite laïque, et déjà fait a savoir qu'il Le président irakien rencontre les dirigeants 13- kurdes de Turquie sur la question kurde 24 décembre 2010 - xinhua derniers jours, qui Le président irakien Jalal Talabani a l'Assemblée rencontré jeudi à Istanbul d'éminentes personnalités kurdes de cratique Turquie où en marge l'Organisation de la du llème sommet coopération de pays abrite les démo¬ autonome, Kurdes se réunissent pour dis¬ économique (Economie Cooperation Organization, ECO) dans le but cuter de trouver une solution pacifique au problème kurde. d'une des détails éventuelle autonomie, Le président du Congrès pour une société démocra¬ une position à laquelle le tique (DTK) Ahmet Turk et le vice-président Aysel Tugluk, gouvernement qui ont rencontré M. Talabani, ont été tous les deux est exclus de la politique en décembre 2009 et leur parti, le fermement turc hos¬ tile. principal parti kurde de Turquie, avait été dissout lorsque le Conseil constitutionnel Interrogé pour savoir si M. Talabani a soutenu l'idée l'a reconnu coupable de liens de l'autonomie démocratique, avec les terrorists du Parti des travailleurs kurdes (PKK). commenter directement, A l'issue de la rencontre à huis clos, Ahmet Turk a mais M. Turk s'est abstenu de a déclaré: "personne ne protesterait contre une solution autonome". déclaré qu'ils avaient discuté de la façon de promouvoir la paix dans la région, de ce qui peut être fait pour deve¬ loper la démocratie et du type de mesures devant être prises pour accroître la fraternité régionale. Le DTK a été inscrit sur l'agenda de la Turquie ces Un ancien cadre du Après avoir été jugé en flagrant délit par la Cour correctionnelle de Salonique et acquitté car il se trouvait "en état de nécessité", M. Sarikaya parti turc pro-kurde a déposé une demande d'asile aux autorités grecques, qui doivent pro¬ chainement se prononcer. DTP demande l'asile en Grèce Lors de sa déposition devant la cour, M. Sarikaya a indiqué qu'il avait passé vingt ans dans les geôles turques en raison de son activité politique et que sa vie serait en danger en cas de retour à son pays. La décision de la Cour constitutionnelle turque de dissoudre le DTP en SALONIQUE (Grèce), 29 décembre 2010 (AFP) 2009 avait été qualifiée d'"inquiétante" par le ministre suédois des Affaires étrangères, Cari Bildt, dont son pays présidait alors l'Union européenne. UN ANCIEN cadre du parti pro-kurde pour une société démocratique (DTP), dissous demandé par la Cour constitutionnelle turque en l'asile en Grèce après son arrestation 2009, a à l'aéroport de Salonique (nord), a-t-on appris mercredi de source policière. Parmi divers problèmes qui entravent le progrès des négociations entre l'UE et la Turquie engagées depuis 2005, figure le respect des libertés politiques.Par ailleurs, dans la ville multiethnique de Kirkouk, à 240 km au nord de Bagdad, la police a découvert le corps de Barbaras Mohammad Ancien vice-président du DTP, Mustafa Sarikaya, 46 ans, a été arrêté il y Habib, un membre de l'Union patriotique du Kurdistan (UPK de Jalal a une semaine à l'aéroport de Salonique pour détention "de faux passe¬ Talabani), criblé de dix balles, a indiqué le colonel de police Azad port" et "entrée illégale" sur le territoire, lors d'une escale de son avion en Abdallah. provenance de Paphos (Chypre) et à destination de Sofia (Bulgarie). 61 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti HemlojKÊK tribune DECEMBER 30- 201° The new government rightly includes all of Iraq's major EDITORIAL OPINION' communities. We are especially encouraged that Sunnis disenfranchised after boycotting the 2005 election were given several top posts, including speaker of Parliament. Mr. Allawi's bloc has a large number of Sunni supporters, which is another reason why the new council should be given real At last, the country has a new govern¬ clout. A secularly minded Sunni also became the minister of edu- ment, which includes all of Iraq's major cation,-succeeding a religious Shiite, increasing the chance communities. Now its leaders must ad¬ that education will become more secular and inclusive. Un¬ dress the country's many problems. fortunately, Iraqi women were shortchanged, being offered ; only one minor government office. Nine long months after parliamentary elections, Iraq has a Iraq's factions, with their competing priorities, are going to new government. Its leaders can't waste any more time on \ have to work hard to make progress on the country's many petty maneuvering. problems. They must pass laws ensuring an equitable divi¬ The March elections were only the second since Saddam sion of the country's oil wealth. They must make sweeping Hussein's ouster. Forming the government was a sordid and ! economic reforms, without which there is no chance of creat¬ costly process. The political paralysis meant important eco¬ ing jobs for the 450,000 mostly young Iraqis entering the nomic decisions were not made, leading to even higher un¬ , workforce each yean They need to keep their promise of jobs employment. Basic services deteriorated even further. And, to the thousands of Sunni fighters who came in from the cold. Iraqi voters have grown even more cynical about the demo¬ At this point, Iraq's most dangerous fault line may be the cratic process. ; oil-rich region of Kirkuk, which is claimed by Arabs and The new government will have to work hard to establish its Kurds. Washington must press Iraqis to find a Solution, mak- credibility. We have mixed feelings about Prime Minister ! ing clear that a Kurdish secession or a grab for Kirkuk would Nuri Kamal al-Maliki winning a second term when so many l mean the end of American support. voters wanted change. In the past, lie has shown disturbing President Obama has rightly promised to withdraw all autocratic tendencies and bolstered his power by inflaming i American troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. In an interview sectarian differences. This time he needs to prove himself as with The Wall Street Journal that was published on Tuesday, a leader for all Iraqis. Mr. Maliki insisted that that deadline is firm. Still, the two , In the election, his Shiite-dominated State of Law coalition came in second by two seats leaders need to consider whether some number of forces to the multi-ethnic Iraqiya American or from the United Nations slate led by Ayad Allawi, a former prime minister. But Mr. The administration deserves credit for goading Iraqis into winning coalition. a political deal. But the long delay and Iraq's daunting list of As part of the deal, Mr. Maliki accepted an American pro¬ problems is a reminder that, even after the troops come posal to have Mr. Allawi lead a still-to-be-created council to home, Iraq will continue toneed American attention, support oversee national security issues and provide some check on and pressure. Mr. Maliki's powers. Xecattofi* Sribunc DECEMBER 30, 2010 was thought to be the leader of the Mo¬ On 6th try, sul branch of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. Mosul, the capital of Nineveh Province, has remained a hotbed of sec¬ bombers kill tarian bloodshed even as overall vio¬ lence in the country has dropped during : the last two years. a top police chief in Iraq sive vests entered a fortified police com¬ said. The first blew himself up inside the concrete blast walls. In the mayhem that followed, the other two bombers ran into the headquarters building and detonat¬ BAGHDAD ed their explosives, killing Colonel Ja¬ bouri in his quarters, said Abdulrahem BYJOHNLELAND al-Shemari, who heads the provincial se¬ An attack Wednesday morning by three suicide bombers in the northern city of Mosul killed a top police commander there and destroyed the police headquar¬ ters, adding more unrest to a region already torn by extremist violence. commander, Lt. Col. Shamel Ahmed al-Jabouri, had been hailed for taking on terrorist groups operating in the area. The attack was the sixth at¬ tempt on his life, and the second in the last three months, a police official said. A week earlier, Colonel Jabouri led an assault that killed Munathel Salim, who 62 curity and defense committee. trapping others. inside.' Local officials they did not that withdrawal must finish by the end of 2011. Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Ma. liki was quoted as saying this week in The Wall Street Journal that he would not ex¬ tend the deadline for troops to leave. know how against the terrorist groups in Mosul," a police official said. "We have lost one of our heroes." The official said the commander had a long history of battling terrorist groups ' in the area. Just three months earlier, a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest tried to rush at him in a coffee shop, but the officer's guards opened fire be¬ fore the attacker could get close, and no one was hurt in the explosion. The blast brought down the building, said . troops leave the country. By agreement, Colonel Jabouri "was a sharp sword At 6 : 30 a.m., three men wearing explo¬ pound in Mosul on foot, the authorities The should remain terri- porarily as a buffer in Kirkuk. Maliki outmaneuvered his rival and finally put together a many people were killed or wounded. But an official at the Interior Ministry in Bagh¬ dad said four people had been killed by the bomb and the collapse of the build¬ ing, a one-story structure that had been damaged during previous attacks in the area in 2006 and 2007. The continued violence in Mosul has stirred fears that the area will descend in¬ to carnage after the remaining American The attack Wednesday came two days after suicide bombers assaulted the heavily fortified government com¬ pound in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province, which is in western Iraq and another battleground of the insurgency. Both attacks may have been retaliation for recent police operations against ter¬ rorism suspects in the regions. In An¬ bar, where the attack killed at least 14 people, the police have arrested 93 people in the previous week and a half. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti ®ftejt\etolJ(Kk®fateg December 31, 2010 A Kurdish Rebel Softens His Tone for Skeptical Ears The presence of the P.K.K. has long been an irritant in relations, prompting crossborder raids and bombings as recently as last summer. Increasingly, though, it would seem to be a surmountable one. "We continue to remind all: Violence will not be the way to solve this issue," said Barham Salih, the prime minister of the Kurdish regional government in nor¬ thern Iraq. Iraq's Kurds are "mindful of our rela¬ tionship with Turkey," Mr. Salih added. The experience of the Kurds within Iraq's democratizing if not yet fully democratic system "dispels the notion that the Kurds are a destabilizing ele¬ ment in this part of the world," he said. Shiho Fukadafor The New York Tîntes "We want the Kurdish problem as a nation's problem, as a people's problem "We don't have to be stuck in the conflicts in the past," he said. to be solved not by guns, but by dialogue." MURAT KARAYILAN MR. KARAYILAN is a garrulous man, portly but fit, mustachioed and nattily tiously arranged, if not exactly clandes¬ tine, interviews from his mountainous By STEVEN LEE MYERS redoubt, irritating officials on both sides of the border who would rather see him QANDIL, Iraq fade into obscurity. dressed in the handmade olive-gray uni¬ form that the party's fighters wear. His past is murky enough that the United States Treasury Department's official ter¬ rorist designations give two birth dates for him, making him either 56 or 60. HIGH in the craggy mountains of Iraq's northern frontier, where men (and, in this case, women) with guns have long operated beyond the control of any government, Murat Karayilan sounds more interested in pursuing peace than the "The Kurdish people are an ancient peo¬ ple in the world," he said. "All their national and linguistic rights have been denied. Our goal is to achieve those rights." He has been the day-to-day commander of the Kurdistan Workers' Party since its charismatic founder, Abdullah Ocalan, was captured in 1999, tried and sent to an island prison in the Sea of Marmara. war he has led against Turkey. Mr. Karayilan's party, long designated a "We are not weak," Mr. Karayilan said in an interview in this village, where he terrorist organization and since last year a drug trafficker by the United States, has declared a new cease-fire and and other fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or the P.K.K., represent already extended it into the new year. Whether by design or under duress, the the law of the land, despite official party has reduced its own political claims to the contrary. demands, tempered by the profound "Our youths are always ready, hot-bloo¬ ded and combative, but we want the Kurdish problem political and economic changes that have swept Turkey and Iraq. to be sol¬ Mr. Karayilan no longer calls for a sepa¬ rate Kurdish state, but for a degree of ved not by guns, but by dialogue." autonomy within Turkey that is inspired Many will doubt Mr. Karayilan's since¬ rity, especially in Turkey. The party's violent struggle has lasted more than a quarter-century and cost 40,000 lives. federal system the Kurds set up for themselves in Iraq after the American invasion in 2003. Iraq's Kurdish leaders, eager to expand trade and cross-border cooperation, have have reached its endgame. supported efforts to end the fighting, And that has put Mr. Karayilan either a noble insurgent fighting oppression or a narco-terrorist commander at the center of a different kind of offensive. less openly in what amounts to an unde¬ clared haven. Its fighters ber of them women a large num¬ adhere to a disci¬ plined, ascetic lifestyle. While they have always used the mountains as refuge, the toppling of Saddam Hussein has made this much easier to the chagrin nely complains to the United States and Iraq to do more to curtail the P.K.K.'s movements. by, but stops considerably short of, the But now, perhaps more than ever before, there are indications that the war may afterward, and its fighters live more or of the Turkish government, which routi¬ as a nation's pro¬ blem, as a people's problem The leadership moved to Qandil shortly offering their own model of self-deter¬ mination and rising prosperity as an example. Even as officials in Turkey rule out negotiations with the party itself, "For the first time in history the Kurds have breathing space," said the move¬ ment's spokesman, Roj Welat. Mr. Karayilan's exact base is, of course, kept secret, but the party's presence in the gorges around Qandil is not. Uniformed fighters maintain a check¬ point on the road from the Kurdish regional capital, Erbil, not far beyond the last official checkpoint. intermediaries have held secret talks to He has been making the case for Kurdish rights in Turkey in surrepti discuss the possibility of a lasting peace, according to officials in Iraq and Turkey. The parry's flag flutters over its territory, while Mr. Ocalan's portrait hangs ubi¬ quitously. Mr. Ocalan remains the move- 63 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti ment's revered leader, but he "is not in Kurdish-language studies at universi¬ a position to giver orders" from prison, ties. He spoke for nearly two hours in a cin¬ Mr. Erdogan's government has ignored from another house badly damaged by the party's announced terms for an end two Turkish bombs in the summer. as Mr. Karayilan put it, though his mes¬ sages and writings are still circulated. der-block house here in Qandil, not far The party runs a clinic with a German to violence altogether, including the doctor and a factory to make the uni¬ release of arrested Kurdish political acti¬ He traveled with only a small retinue of forms. It neatly tends a cemetery with a vists and the creation of a reconciliation guards in Toyota Land Cruisers and 30-foot white obelisk that looms over commission like the one in post-apar¬ took few other precautions. When the the graves of Kurdish fighters from theid South Africa. Instead the govern¬ interview ended, he apologized for not Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria. ment has struck a more nationalistic being able to stay for dinner. tone before elections in June. Mr. Karayilan said donations from Nevertheless, the government is expec¬ Kurds in their homeland or abroad sus¬ ted to offer some new gestures for dent at times, denouncing what he cal¬ tained the movement. American and Kurds in hopes of marginalizing Mr. led Turkish occupation, oppression and Turkish officials say smuggling does. As Karayilan's group. for weapons, Mr. Karayilan smiled For all his polite charm, he remains stri¬ genocide. But the outline of an accom¬ modation that he sketches no longer coyly when asked. "You can get whate¬ "Some of the things listed as precondi¬ ver you want," he said. "If s the Middle tions are already part of the democratic East." standards by our government for all of He urged the United States, as well as our citizens, not only for Kurds," said other nations, to stop seeing the conflict The party unilaterally declared a cease¬ Orner Celik, a member of Parliament through the prism of the "war on ter¬ fire after an eruption in cross-border and one of Mr. Erdogan's leading politi¬ ror," but rather through that of self- violence from 2007 to 2009. The lull has cal advisers. determination. "It is the cause of a largely coincided with concessions from nation that needs to be addressed," he the Turkish government under Prime Mr. Karayilan said the Turkish govern¬ Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ment lacked the political will to pursue expand rights for the country's Kurdish a true peace, though, tellingly, he did minority by, for example, allowing a not close the door on a negotiated reso¬ Kurdish-language television station and lution. VA Voice of America seems so far-fetched. 31 December said. 2010 Turkish President Talks Unity on Visit to Kurdish Province Turkey's President .P.9..Q.anJ.°..n.^ Abdullah Cul, right, and Turkey's President Abdullah city's mayor Gul, right, and city's mayor Osman Baydemir speak to the Osman media in Baydemir's office in Baydemir Diyarbakir, Turkey, 30 Dec 2010 speak to the Turkish President Abdullah Gul media in sent out a message of unity during Baydemir's his long anticipated trip to the office in southeastern Kurdish province of Diyarbakir, Turkey, 30 Diyarbakir. Dec 2010 Diyarbakir extended a warm gree¬ ting to President Abdullah Gul. Throughout his two day visit, the city's Kurdish cultural identity was this to you," he said. visible, from music to dance to the Kurdish language. Everywhere he went there were bilingual street eased somewhat, there are still restrictions in place. ched this month for Kurdish cultu¬ Speaking at a dinner with local ral and political rights, focusing on businessmen Thursday night, the greater use of the Kurdish lan¬ President Gul tried to take a guage. balanced approach. the mayor of Diyarbakir, Osman Kurds make up around a quarter The official language of the Baydemir. "This is the dictionary of Turkey's population of 72 mil¬ Republic of Turkey is Turkish. This of our beautiful Turkish and our lion. During the 1980's, the will continue in this way. However, we have citizens using different signs in Turkish and Kurdish. This highly important separate linguis¬ tic identity was also the inspiration behind a gift to the president from 64 Baydemir is one of the leading figures behind a campaign laun¬ controls on its use have been beautiful Kurdish and it is a trea¬ Turkish authorities refused to ack¬ sury of 40,000 words," Baydemir nowledge that the Kurdish lan¬ languages, he said. Kurdish is said." I am honored to present guage even existed and while used here, he said, and there are Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti some other citizens using Arabic But it is the government that Aktar said. "Because many of in other places. All these are ours, wields the real power in Turkey, those politicians who take the our languages. not the president. And analysts floor and talk about this issue, Observers say the president's say the government's condemna¬ they talk in terms of division of tion of Kurdish demands the country, secession etc, and stance is in mark contrast to the will go down well with nationalist conser¬ strong condemnation of the this is very, very bad." vative Turkish voters. With elec¬ Kurdish demands by the Turkish Observers warn electoral politics tions due in less than six months, government. His busy schedule could well overwhelm any good political commentator Cengiz included meetings with Kurdish will generated by President Gul's Aktar expects rifts between Turks political and business leaders in visit. and Kurds to deepen. another contrast with the govern¬ ment, which has curtly dismissed "The more we get close to the the main Kurdish party as just an elections the stake gets higher and extension of the outlawed Kurdish higher, so it will create more and rebel group, the PKK. more tensions in the country," 30 December 2010 How will Erdoan manage the Kurdish question on the eve of the election? Columnists down its arms for some period of time, in order to convince EMRE USLU believe. I think it is based on the naivety of non-Ocalanist his Turkish constituency. I see this option as too optimistic to [email protected] Kurds who want some promising steps taken in order to convince Kurdish voters. Democracy Party The second possibility is that Erdoan will wear his nationalist (BDP) has successfully injected a new political debate mask and become the forerunning nationalist leader that will The Kurdish nationalist Peace and in Turkish domestic politics: the demand for a bilingual be society. Prime under the 10 percent threshold and gain Turkish nationalist Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan has now strongly rejected votes, while losing Kurdish voters. Erdoan has proven that he opening the language issue up to debate, saying Turkey can secure Turkish nationalist voters. For instance, during the After remaining silent for some time, able to drown the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) last referendum the prime minister managed to convince 58 has only one official language and that is Turkish. percent of voters from traditionally MHP stronghold cities. Erdogan even went so far as to accuse those asking for a Yet, even if Erdoan wears his nationalist mask and uses natio¬ bilingual nalist arguments at the center of his election rhetoric, the society and governmental services of being the same as traitors. This is exactly what the BDP wants to hear nationalist political mandate is not be so easy to control from Erdogan. By pushing Erdogan into the nationalist corner either. the of demands, the Turkish nationalist MHP is using what the BDP Kurdish voters. On the eve of the election Erdoan is facing a is saying and is holding the Erdoan government responsible dilemma of whether to highlight a Turkish nationalist rheto¬ for the BDP s bold language and Kurdish demands. Therefore, BDP excludes its only contender ric or stress further democratic for reforms. the support There are three options before Erdogan to escape such a dilemma as the elec¬ While Erdogan needs the to BDP is convince highlighting Kurdish voters that what nationalist the MHP is arguing is not correct. tion approaches. The third possibility is to bring President Abdullah G,l in and The first possibility is that Erdoan can continue to promote ask him to play a critical role in the Kurdish question. liberal democratic reforms and take the risk of losing some seems that the most likely scenario is this one. While Erdoan It nationalist votes. Although some Kurdish nationalists and pro- is highlighting Turkish nationalist discourses, President Gul, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Kurds would love to on behalf of state institutions, can step in and deliver a hope¬ see such ful message to the Kurds. By using this method Erdogan does an occurrence, it is very difficult for Erdoan to adopt such a position before the election. Yet, some Kurds, not risk losing nationalist votes and at the same time Kurdish who claimed to be at the center of negotiations between voters can Abdullah ocalan and the National Intelligence Organization votes as well. Given the fact that both Erdogan and his oppo¬ hear a positive message that will secure their (MIT), still insist that the Erdogan government will take sur¬ nents consider the prising steps political event for the near future of Turkish politics, Erdogan known as in February. For instance, a Kurdish figure upcoming election the most important the and Gul will share dual responsibility to overcome the politi¬ details of the negotiations, insists that soon we will see posi¬ cal challenge before them. For that matter, I consider Gul s Fisherman (Balikci), who claimed to know tive developments in the Kurdish question. If it is true, then Diyarbakir visit a milestones for the future of the Kurdish Erdogan needs to develop a powerful argument, such as a question. declaration from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay 65 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti » to<x*l«Q Arable in*oTiabonol Oti*y &iglth BcSBon 31 December KURDISH 2010 SELF DETERMINATION THE GOOD AND THE Asharq Al-Awsat of their own, no Kurdish lea¬ Shi'ites form a majority of Ottomans in Turkey pursue der worth his salt could pre¬ the population. dreams of empire, Ankara tend that the issue does not exist. By Amir Taheri But what does self-deter¬ mination actually mean? A recent remark by Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani that the issue of If one takes self-determi¬ gift to those who have always claimed that parti¬ tion is the best solution for Iraq. Over the past seven years we have seen dozens The break up scenario position that favours the carved up Iraq would not be break up of Iraq. After all, able to challenge Tehran's the Ottoman Empire was ambitions for regional hege¬ made possible by the fact mony. A united Iraq with a that the Arabs were divided into countless mini emirates choose one's government population of 30 million plus huge potential wealth thanks or had no states of their through free and fair elec¬ to oil reserves and water own. A mini-Kurdish state in tions, the Iraqi Kurds already northern Iraq would have no enjoy that right. As head of resources would be in a good choice but kowtow to Ankara the autonomous Kurdish position to counter-balance government in Erbil, Barzani Iran. even if that meant continued Turkish military incursion into himself is a living testimony Moreover, Iraq is the its territory. to this fact. second largest Shi'ite majo¬ of seminars, mostly held in the United States, on how may be tilting towards a new would also make sure that a nation to mean the right to "self determination" remains on the table has come as a BETTER However, many of those rity country after Iran. In Syria may also favour the time, Najaf could re-emerge break-up of Iraq. Such a who speak of self-determina¬ as the main centre of Shi'ite development would make tion mean something else: Syria the most populous Arab the right to break away from scholarship and religious gui¬ dance, making it harder for state in the strategic region Iraq and form an indepen¬ between Egypt and Iran and dent state in the provinces the Khomeinists to pursue thus a more important Obama as President of the where ethnic Kurds form a their pan-Sh'ite dreams. Even player. A united and demo¬ majority of the population. today, there is evidence that United States encouraged the Grand Ayatollah Ali- cratic Iraq, on the other Muhammad Sistani, who is hand, would be a daily chal¬ based in Najaf, is emerging lenge to a Syria dominated best to carve Iraq up. Meanwhile, books and arti¬ cles on the subject amount to a sizeable library. The election of Barack partitionists. Obama himself had no particular position because, as in other issues, he wanted to have as much wiggle room as possible. However, his vice president Joseph Biden, who had pas¬ And, who might benefit from such a development? as the most popular Shi'ite by a despotic elite in a client revolution, the safe assump¬ marja'a or "source of emula¬ situation vis-a-vis the tion was that Iran would not tion" in Iran. Before the Khomeinist wish the Kurds of Iraq to have a state of their own. sionately argued in favour of the war in Iraq, had promo¬ ted partition for years before his new position forced him to either shut up or equivo¬ The reason was that Inside Iraq, however, the the context of a public debate. The reason for this is that Arabs, who account for almost 80 per cent of Iraq's population, have had no des¬ ire to raise it while the Kurds, during the reign of society there is no reason why the issue of Kurdish self- Iraq. A smaller Iraq would make tiny Jordan look bigger own Kurdish minority to state for fear that such a while old dynastic claims to secession. development might push its ruelrship in Baghdad are revi¬ own ethnic Kurds towards ved. Today, the picture is dif¬ ferent. The Khomeinist secession. Between 1981 and regime, or at least the part 2003, Turkey also enjoyed of it that is still dominant, the carte blanche issued by ruable to the dismembering sees the world through a Saddam Hussein for military of Iraq. Many in Israel's lea¬ pan-Shi'ite prism. Its long- incursions in northern Iraq. dership believe that Iraq is term strategy is to assume That enabled the Turks to the only Arab country large the leadership of united pursue Kurdish rebels deep and, potentially, wealthy Shi'ite communities across inside Iraqi territory with the enough to pose an "existen¬ existing frontiers and then consent of the despot in tial threat" to the Jewish use this as a platform for Baghdad. As long as a despot state. They argue that a claiming the leadership of was in power in Baghdad, a smaller Iraq would be less Islam as a whole in an as yet united Iraq suited Turkish likely to harbour dreams of interests. A democratic Iraq, leading the Arabs in a new tion" with the "Infidel" however, is unlikely to tole¬ major war against Israel. Western powers. rate foreign military incur¬ raised. fit from the break-up of Iraq. the carpet. After all, when For the past four years Tehran has been promoting the so-called " federal" the southern Sudanese are agenda for Iraq in the hope allowed self-determination of creating a client republic and at a time that the Kosovars are buildng a state 66 One other regional player, Israel, has always been favo- ill-defined "final confronta¬ That strategy would bene¬ want to brush the issue under favourable to a beak-up of want an independent Kurdish determination should not be Barzani is wise not to ration of Iraq, the popular development could attract its hint at it. Now that Iraq is an open ruling elite would also be view was that Turkey did not successive despots in Baghdad, did not dare even Part of the Jordanian also changed. Until the libe¬ Tehran feared that such a cate. idea has never been raised in Turkey's position may have Khomeinist regime in Tehran. in the eight central and sou¬ thern provinces of Iraq where sions into its territory for long. It would be hard for But what if all partitio¬ nists are mistaken in their various calculations? Turkey to provoke a war situation with its only demo¬ cratic neighbour in the Middle East without provo¬ king adverse reaction from the international community. The first big losers could be Iraq's own Kurds. They would not only have to bear the huge cost of building a new state but would also continue to pay for its main¬ Thus today, as neo- tenance and defense in a Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti hostile region. Several stu¬ include a number of ethnic Kuwait and Iran for example, attached to Iraq provided dies show that a citizens of a groups that do not regard they have not been wrong. they are allowed to enjoy a mini Kurdish state in Iraq themselves as Kurds. The However, new Iraq will not wide measure of autonomy would end up much poorer new state would have to be what it was under the within a pluralist system. than they are today. either suppress those minori¬ mad dictators of the period Since 1991 Iraqi Kurds have Landlocked and cut off from ties by force or accept their between 1958 and 2003. the bulk of Iraq's huge oil demand for the creation of wealth, the Kurds might find micro-states in accordance "self determination" not such with the most radical inter¬ a good deal after all. Even in pretations of the Treaty of Europe, the partitions that Lausanne. we have witnessed recently nists. The Slovaks are now 40 percent poorer than when they were part of a united Czechoslovakia. With the pos¬ sible exception of Slovenia, all the seven states that have emerged from the break-up of Yugoslavia are relatively poorer. There is no reason with Iraq without putting Margaret Thatcher were their fate in the hands of opposed to the re-emergence those in power in Baghdad. Both Barzani and his allycum-rival Jalal Talabani des¬ would also end up as losers. ries of the Weimar Republic erve credit for an outcome All those states include and the Nazi Reich. Today, that seems to satisfy a majo¬ within their frontiers a wide united Germany is the princi¬ rity of Kurds in Iraq. As far as variety of ethnic minorities, pal guarantor of stability in Iraqi Kurds are concerned, including Kurds, who might Europe and the continents their current status is good be interested in their own ultimate economic insurance. enough, and there is no rea¬ versions of "self determina¬ The lesson is that fears of son to upset it in the name of tion". History shows hat when the past should not block the something better. Often, bet¬ the contours of one state are hopes of the future. put in doubt the frontiers of why Iraqi Kurds would do any analysis to its logical conclu¬ are open to change. Most of That would not be the ter could become an enemy of the good Barzani should press his all states within this region better. sion and formally put the the states surrounding Iraq issue of "self determination" only cause for concern. The have treated it either as a areas that would presumably nuisance or an actual threat. form the new mini state And in the case of some, on the agenda for national debate. Unless one is wrong, a majority of Iraqi Kurds are Iraq's Luaibi says Kurdish oil Guardian December27, that maintains their links British Prime Minister fear was based on the memo¬ favour the partition of Iraq detriment of the secessio¬ Francois Mitterrand and of a united Germany. Their The regional powers that have often ended up to the succeeded in developing an original system of autonomy In 1989, French President 2010 exports to resume soon Minister confirms Kurdish exports due to resume soon Minister - "nothing new" regarding Kurd contracts dispute Government with foreign firms By Ahmed Rasheed to all the produced quantities from the develop oil fields in the north to be region through the Iraqi export net¬ illegal. work and the revenues will go to the With permission from the federal budget," Luaibi said. - Iraq's Kurdish regional government, DNO "In return for that, the govern¬ Kareem became the first western company ment pledges to pay all the expenses Luaibi confirmed on Monday that to drill for oil in Iraq after the U.S. and costs which were used to deve¬ exports from the semi-autonomous invasion of 2003. lop the oil field." BAGHDAD(Reuters) new Oil Minister northern Abdul Kurdish region were But Iraqi expected to resume soon. But he said there was "nothing the disagreement Kurdistan Before the flow was halted last central year, the Kurdish region was expor¬ the ting day. ween Iraqi Kurdistan and the cen¬ exports from the region last year. Baghdad contracts to develop the northern oilfields. News had agency reports last week quoted Baghdad Luaibi reporters when around Hussain 100,000 barrels al-Shahristani, per Iraq's former oil minister, said earlier this Kurdish oil exports would resume, month Kurdish oil was expected to Luaibi flow early said the said, "There is no specific time, but it will be soon." saying Asked about the reports that Iraq next year. region Shahristani could produce 150,000 bpd next year. the would honour contracts signed by Output from the Kurdish region the Kurdish Regional Government, is seen as a key to boosting exports, firm he said: which provide Iraq with about 95 has honour by over contracts, such as one Norwegian oil DNO would as Asked over Baghdad between contracts to develop the fields halted government in in the new" regarding a disagreement bet¬ tral government and with the region's "(There is) nothing new in this government. Shares in DNO rose 9 percent ched with our brothers in Kurdistan after the reports. Baghdad considers signed by the Kurdistan percent of its federal revenue. issue. The agreement that we rea¬ contracts Regional in April was that the Kurdish Regional Government is to export 67 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti n-|pir .December 31, 2010 NPR : National Public Radio . TURKEY FLEXES Turkey's Prime ECONOMIC, POLITICAL Tayyip Erdogan Minister Recep (right) meets with Iraqi President MUSCLE IN IRAQ Jalal Talabani in Istanbul, Dec. 22, by Deborah Amos 2010. Turkey is vying with Iran to be the most Turkey is stepping up its role in Iraq, vying with Iran as a regional power. These powerful neighbors influential regio¬ use invest¬ nal power in Iraq ments and building projects to ensure long-term influence. The competition is heating up as the U.S. prepares to with¬ draw troops from Iraq by the end of next year. Northern Iraq is the staging ground which for Turkey's bid for economic dominance, and the Marina restaurant in Irbil is the kind of place that businessmen come to make deals. opened opportunities for Turkish contractors. Turkish laborers are building thousands of housing units in Irbil. Success in the Kurdish region in northern Iraq has led to bids farther south. The food is pricey, and the live entertainment is in Turkish, a sign of Turkey's growing role. In the central market, "Maybe we will go further down to Basra," says construction manager Turkish products are available in every shop stall. Serdar Kutsal, who has plans Karbala, south of Baghdad. "We will Local university professor Birzo Abdul Qhader surveys the for a project in but most likely we will go with our Kurdish friends." goods on display. In Baghdad, a Turkish consortium outbid an Iranian group "These baskets are Turkish, the plastic flowers, towels, the children's clothes," he says. Turkish and nies builders largest are active, too. A Turkish firm designed built Irbil's new international airport. Turkish compa¬ have estates. invested And in the exploring for oil in for an $11 billion project to renovate Sadr City, the capital's new five-star energy sector, hotels state and housing companies are Shiite neighborhood. Turkey economic dominance in southern is contesting Iran's Iraq with a consulate in Basra that focuses on trade. "Different kind of influence I know what Turkey is trying to do, and it is definitely a win-win policy," Kutsal says. in the south, while private oil companies This are staking claims to discovered oil near Irbil. is a historic rivalry, says Davis of Rutgers University. "This "They've basically traded the stick for the carrot," says Greg Gause, who teaches about the politics of the Middle East at is like going Safavids ... in the back to the Ottoman Empire and the 1500s. This is the old struggle for Iraq between the Turks and the Iranians," he says. the University of Vermont. "The Turks have predominant influence of any foreign power, even rivaling the U.S., and they've done it through a Building Ties In Kurdistan And Baghdad clever and low-key strategy," he says. In the modern contest, carried out in business suits rather The economic boom in the north is due to the relative sta¬ than bility in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan American backing to keep Iran in check. Iraqi Prime Minister region. It is also military uniforms, Turkey appears to have Arab and Nouri al-Maliki visited Ankara to get Turkish support for his due to a dramatic shift in Turkish policy. bid to form the new government. He also sought approval "[The Turks] are a very serious player in the Kurdish eco¬ nomy, which is doing much better than the in many more visits to Tehran. rest of Iraq," Gause says. "But they've also gained a lot more day-to-day "I think that's the long-term Turkish goal here, and in many influence than they've ever had in the past." ways, the long-term Iranian goal is to so tie the business and economic pervasive Kurdish autonomy in it's that Iraq and Iran has historic Arabs ring to deal exclusively with Baghdad. Turkey has long fea¬ government red that Kurdish aspirations for independence would incite political Turkey's own Kurdish minority. The Turkish army conduc¬ International Crisis Group. ted cross-border raids against the PKK, separatist Kurdish rebels who are fighting for an ethnic homeland for Kurds. But the government in Ankara, dominated by the AKP, or Development Party, has made a historic shift, symbolized by an official visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu and the opening of a Turkish consulate in Irbil. Turkey's overall trade with Iraq has jumped to more than $6 billion a year, and Ankara's goal is to raise trade to $25 billion in five years, making Iraq its top trading part¬ ner. With Iraq's vast oil reserves, Turkey aims to be a major energy bridge from the Middle East to Europe. Eric Davis is a Middle East specialist at Rutgers University. He notes that the Turkish chamber of commerce and indus¬ and used political did not recognize the Kurdish regional government, prefer¬ Justice and their influence unquestioned," says becomes Gause of so the University of Vermont. Turkey's Historic Shift Toward Iraq For years, Turkey opposed elements that in those line muscles, with too, ties to Iraq's connections Iranian says to Kurds press interests. Joost and for Turkey Hiltermann "The regional states absolutely had an influence Shiite an Iraqi flexed with the but none of them was able to impose the solution it wanted," he says. With so much at stake, Turkey continues to build ties to the leadership in the Kurdistan regional government as well as Baghdad. In a telling piece of political symbolism, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan, the leader of a predo¬ minantly Sunni Muslim nation, attended the Shiite comme¬ moration of Ashura, one of the most important holidays on the religious calendar. It is a gesture that will likely be noted by the dominant Shiite leaders in Baghdad. The Turks have shown that religion can be good for business. In an office in Irbil, Turkish businessman Ardel Ahiska explains that it is good to be a Turk in Kurdistan. try has been lobbying the government not to allow the mili¬ tary to attack PKK forces whenever it wants, because that "It is a big threatens investments in the north. trade man," he says. "We will be rich together." Indeed, stability in the north has led to a housing demand, 68 market for the Turkish nan businessmen, Turkish Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti Pétrole: l'Irak va entériner les contrats signés par le Kurdistan (ministre) LE CAIRE, 25 décembre 2010 (AFP) L'IRAK va reconnaître les contrats signés par le Kurdistan irakien avec des compagnies pétrolières étrangères, a affirmé samedi son nouveau ministre du Pétrole, Abdel Karim al-Luaybi, lors d'une réu¬ nion de l'Opep au Caire. "Oui, nous les reconnaîtrons", a répondu M. Luaybi, interrogé sur cette question par Dow Jones Newswires, lors d'une rencontre de l'Organisation des pays exportateurs de pétrole (Opep). Bagdad et la région semi-autonome du Kurdistan s'opposent de longue date au sujet des contrats signés par le Kurdistan avec des compagnies étrangères depuis 2004. Le gouvernement central a jusqu'à présent refusé d'entériner ces contrats car il veut des contrats de service, rémunérant les compagnies pétrolières au baril extrait, plutôt qu'un partage des bénéfices tirés de l'exploitation des ressources comme le prévoient les contrats du Kurdistan. companies - soit un investissement total prévu de 10 milliards de dollars - notamment dans la prospection et la production de pétrole, avait déclaré récemment le ministre de la région chargé des Ressources Naturelles, M. Luaybi, titulaire du portefeuille du Pétrole dans le nouveau gouverne¬ Ashti Hawrami. ment de Nouri al-Maliki approuvé mardi par le Parlement, a précisé que le gouvernement central rembourserait les sommes déjà investies par les Le Kurdistan irakien avait commencé le 1er juin 2009 à exporter du pétrole pour la première fois de son histoire, dans un climat d'hostilité avec compagnies dans la région. Bagdad qui nie à sa province le droit de signer des contrats sans son aval, Vendredi, M. Luaybi avait indiqué que le gouvernement irakien activerait avant de suspendre ces exportations en octobre 2009. un accord signé plus tôt dans l'année avec le Kurdistan pour exporter du La question pétrolière a fait l'objet d'âpres discussions lors de la formation brut. du gouvernement, le député kurde Mahmoud Othmane affirmant que "Nous avons déjà signé un accord avec le Kurdistan (...) Si Dieu le veut, l'Alliance kurde ne participerait pas au gouvernement tant que M. Maliki cet accord sera activé dans les prochains jours", avait-il dit à la presse. n'aurait pas avalisé les contrats signés par le Kurdistan. Le gouvernement autonome du Kurdistan a signé 37 contrats avec 40 26 décembre 2010 OBÊÊmtew* Iran: la justice suspend la pendaison d'un militant kurde Vingt à trente personnes La pendaison prévue dimanche ont manifesté dans la nuit matin d'un militant kurde, de samedi à dimanche Habibollah Latifi, accusé de coopéra¬ devant l'ambassade d'Iran tion avec le groupe rebelle kurde à Paris, où certaines se Pejak, a été "suspendue", a déclaré son sont enchaînées aux grilles avocat, Nemat Ahmadi, cité par pour protester contre l'exé¬ l'agence Isna. cution dimanche d'un "Pour l'instant l'application de la jeune militant kurde, selon peine a été suspendue", a déclaré Me les organisateurs et la Ahmadi. police, (c) Afp La pendaison devait avoir lieu à la prison de Sanandaj, chef-lieu du Kurdistan iranien. Me Ahmadi a expliqué que cette déci¬ sion avait été prise à la suite d'une lettre tions terroristes, est lié au Parti des tra¬ samedi l'Iran à la "clémence" envers M. qu'il a envoyée au chef de l'autorité judi¬ vailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) actif en Latifi, qui "n'a pas bénéficié d'un procès ciaire, l'ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, lui Turquie. Il a mené ces dernières années équitable", ce qui rend son exécution demandant "un nouvel examen du dos¬ de nombreuses opérations armées au "d'autant plus insupportable" selon l'or¬ sier" et que la peine soit "commuée". Kurdistan iranien. ganisation de défense des droits de Le condamné à mort, Habibollah Arrêté fin 2007, M. Latifi avait été l'Homme. Latifi, jeune étudiant en droit, avait été accusé d'avoir participé à un attentat la jugé coupable de coopération avec le même année contre la voiture d'un pro¬ groupe Pejak (Parti pour une vie libre au cureur du Kurdistan, et à une attaque dimanche devant l'ambassade d'Iran à Kurdistan), selon son avocat. contre un commissariat de police, ce qu'il Paris pour protester contre la possible a nié. exécution de M. Latifi. Ce groupe, interdit en Iran et classé par les Etats-Unis parmi les organisa Vingt à trente personnes avaient manifesté dans la nuit de samedi à Amnesty International a appelé 69