Zeynep: There is no state of Kurdistan currently, but there is certainly a region of northern Iraq and eastern Turkey that is commonly referred to as Kurdistan. If all Turkey wants to do is protect its own borders and shelter and take care of refugees, that's great, but some people are a little wary of Turkey's motives, given its behavior towards the Kurds inside Turkey, and also its past dealings with others in the region (e.g., Armenians). Why does Turkey need to send troops into Iraq, as they have been planning to do, in order to protect its border, if it's not going to fight Saddam Hussein and his regime?

Edited by author 03-19-2003 07:35 AM
To Zeynep.

The Turks get paranoia to just even hear the name "Kurd". (Itīs probably the most taboo word in the Turkish language) They donīt call the Kurds in Turky or Iraq for Kurds, or name of the area for Kurdistan (they opposed and critsied when an Iranian airline wanted to call one of ther planes for Kurdistan), they refeer to them as Iraqis and the Area as northern Iraq.
 I donīt undrestand that such a paranoia ---- I mean Iraqi Kurdistan have borders with Iran and Syria, these countries havnīt threathend to do such a thing. (in fact more Kurdish refuges entered Iran then into Turkey during the Gulf ware) --- Why is it only Turky that wants to invade Iraqi Kurdistan?
  Turky wants influnce for for the Iraqi Turkemans in the upcoming new govermnet after the ware ( Today they have the same rights and freedom as other "Iraqi kurdistani" (shia Kurds (feyli), Kelldani /Ashuri and Yezidi) to study in their own language, they have their own TV channel, and their own political parties, while the kurdish minority in Turkey arenīt even allowed to study in theri own tongue --- For good sake they were not even allowed to speak kurdish for just some years ago...Talk about dubbel standard and once again paranoia, ... I mean itīs so ludicrous when your hear the Turkish argumest ; they want to advocate democracy and equality for Tukemes while they are really treating their own minority virtullay like SHIT,,,
The Turkish republic have destroIed the Kurds selfesteem by forbidding their language for some generation.

Why do you the kurds say: we want rather to be under Saddams govern then the Turks... I want you to consider over this a bit. Why dose the Kurds disapprove the Turks so much..
 How can Turkey have nervs to talk about democracy and human right concering their own human rights violation record.

As a Turk, living in Turkey, side by side with Kurdish people for as long as I can remember, I cannot agree with your weariness about Turkish motives. Kurdish people are very much integrated within Turkish society - some of our country's favorite musicians (even politicians) are of Kurdish descent. The Armenian issue raises much controversy, and has in fact, I believe, been distorted and manipulised to great extent. The problems in treatment towards Kurds only involve terrorism activity caused by the PKK (Kurdish terrorist group), and Turkey's efforts to protect its people. For America, it is easy to fight Saddam Hussein and his regime, it is easy to be caught up in the ideals of saving Iraq and knowing what is best for its people. America is so far away. Iraq is our neighbor - when deciding whether or not to participate in this war, there are many factors that we have to consider. Turkey's main problem is that sending troops into Iraq wasn't considered, or rather that there was no political framework set regarding Northern Iraq and the potential effect that such a war or movement would have on Turkey. I do not agree with discrimination of, or the assault on, any people - especially those within my country. I am sure that America, England, France and many other countries all have the same interests in Northern Iraq - why is the same argument not applied in the case of Turkey? Why are all other countries portrayed as only trying to help Kurdish people form a land and government of their own, while the Turks seemingly "maliciously" try to protect their own land?

Kawan: I don't consider anything that you wrote as substantial, or even remotely close to factual, so prefer not to continue further discussion with you. Although, I do recommend that you read a little more about Turkey before making such outlandish remarks.

Goodness. There is a war looming - in fact - may have already begun this moment and here we are in this peaceful forum lashing away. Or perhaps I am lashing away a litte. I want to apologise to all readers (and other contributers) for my harshness. My parents are currently in Bahrain, my uncle in southeastern Turkey, my brother in New York, and myself in Istanbul. My nerves are a wreck. I'm sorry. Let's just send our positive energy to those in Iraq and pray for a fast, healthy resolution. All the best.

US special forces in N Iraq, Iraq conscripts apparently surrendering in S, central bagdad empty

Why didn't people leave earlier? I'm just curious...I'm thinking I would have made plans to leave at least by one day of the deadline given to Saddam.

Good luck to you and your family Zeynep.

Kevin,
I happened to stumble onto this blog just now and I must tell you that you are doing a great job! Cant even begin to imagine the conditions out there, but do stay safe!
God Bless.

CNN posts news that us ambassadors urged to leave Turkey -"In other developments, the U.S. State Department authorized the departure of family members and non-essential U.S. personnel from the embassy and consulates in Turkey.
Under an authorized departure, which is voluntary, the U.S. government will pay travel expenses for those who want to leave.
The decision covers employees at all U.S. posts in the country, including the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul and U.S. consulates in Adana and Izmir. All facilities remain open to the public.
A travel warning issued Wednesday urged U.S. citizens to leave the country. "

Zeynep - I just want to say that having been a dependent of the military and seen many countries while growing up - No matter what a government (even mine) says, there are always two sides to every coin. I hope for a world without ethnic/religious/male-female prejudice and lots of peace with no weapons needed. But it is difficult if not seemingly impossible.
I am just glad to know that even though there are reports of negative coming from Turkey, there you are a very postive person to have met. I just hope for my sake that the US/UK is really only interested in exposing and destroying the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq or else I will feel really embarrassed for myself, my children and my country.

I am having such a difficult time accepting what is going on around us. Constant news flashes of bombings, deaths. What is happening? What is going to happen next?
I am so worried about the aftermath. What if America does overthrow Saddam, kill him, whatever. Then what? As if they will let the Iraqis "benefit from their oil resources like they have always deserved", as Tony Blair was preaching earlier this morning. As if everything will end with Saddam. Then terrorist activity accusations will be thrown at Iran, Jordan, Syria, and it will be decided to move into those countries. Palestine will of course be terribly harmed by the development of a pseudo-American presence in the Middle East. Turkey will be at war with American-supported Kurdish terrorists. Or what if this war becomes a second Vietnam? What if nothing the US has planned is accomplished and all we have to show our grandchildren are great deaths and waste of one our most valuable resources, petrol.

Where are you Kevin? Is everything ok?

Zeynep, I too would like to thank you for your point of view. The news we get here (I live in Oregon, USA) is so one sided I just cannot watch it anymore. I spend my time searching out people like you, people who are actually living through this. I have been reading a blog by Salam in baghdad which has been very "real" and enlightening...again thanks and stay safe. And to Kevin, where are you? I hope all is OK?

Sandstorms in baghdad......isnt it just an irony that this happens when the american troop are just outside the town....signs from GOD???!!!

sandstorms in baghdad.......is GOD telling us something about this war?

Edited by author 03-26-2003 10:18 AM
Peace on the Earth!!!