However, losses of civilians and PKK attacks to Turkish army pushed Turkey to take more aggressive measures against PKK terrorist organization. Last month a motion that gives authorization to government to use army against PKK was approved by the parliament with a great majority. Moreover, operations against specific targets of the PKK have taken impetus. Thanks to the diplomatic endeavors, both western countries and neighbors of Turkey in many platforms made and making announcements that supports Turkey in its fight against PKK terrorism.  

In the framework of these efforts, PM Erdogan was in the US with a delegation composed of high level Turkish bureaucrats to discuss PKK problem with President Bush. This visit was a hot issue of Turkish media as its repercussions will be from now on.

What Turkey got from this meeting?

Three main points can be indicated as the main outcomes of this meeting;

1.      Sharing efficient, recent intelligence

2.      Cooperation between Turkish and the US Armies

3.      Cutting logistics and financial supports of the PKK

These three measures show a kind of change in both countries relations in a positive manner in the framework of Turkey’s fight against terror. First of all sharing efficient intelligence means that Turkey would probably carry out operations against specific targets of the terrorists like Israel does and while doing this the US intelligence units would support the Turkish security forces.

Secondly, cooperation between the two armies at high level bureaucrats shows that the PKK problem is being taken more seriously by the US government. Previously, this cooperation mechanism was being carried out by two retired generals (Ralston and Edip Baser), but did not give the concrete results as expected. From now on deputy chief of army of the US and Turkey with the commander of the US forces in Iraq will cooperate to solve this problem of Turkey.

Lastly, cutting logistics and financial supports of the PKK might be called as the most concrete outcome of this meeting.  As known Iraqi President announced that they have increased the measures to control and prevent the supports going to PKK. The US measures in this sense would provide a more efficient basis and support for Turkey’s fight against PKK. Having problems in their vital consumption goods and financial resources, PKK would lose power in the region and accordingly its supporters, militants and partisans.

Apart from these outcomes Bush’s statements as announcing PKK as the enemy of the US, Iraq and Turkey were really important in diplomatic sense. It is a known fact that PKK has been taken into the lists of terrorist organizations of the US, but with these statements it should be perceived that it is not taken as any other terrorist organization in the world, but a common enemy of these two NATO allies and also enemy of a country in which the US has a total political control.

What will be the expectations of Turkey from now on?

There should be no expectations that Turkey would not take any aggressive measures against the PKK terrorists. The motion approved in the parliament is giving authority to use army in one year time and this can be extended if necessary. PM states that Turkey can make an operation anytime if these measures do not give concrete results. In fact, it is likely that we are going to see some operations against high level PKK terrorists. Moreover, closing down PKK bureaus in Iraq and taking measures to cut financial and logistics supports of PKK would be closely followed by Turkish authorities.

On the table all these results seems so fine. However, Turkey should follow up the process carefully and have to push the US as much as possible via diplomatic channels and cooperation mechanism to take serious steps against PKK. Moreover, it can give impetus to its cooperation with regional authorities. Since, what we hear until now so many promises, but limited action.

On the other hand, losing its international support and probably having to deal with aforementioned issues PKK would try to sabotage this process by carrying out terrorist activities in Turkey to increase the internal political and social tension. The way Turkey followed till now provided support of international community and a good basis for a possible cross border operation. Turkey should continue acting rationally and patiently. It is important to plan such actions carefully and take steps accordingly for efficient results.

Hasan Selim Ozertem

06 November 2007

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