New Mandate Submitted; Turkey Will Extend Stay In Iraq
On Monday, September 22, 2008, the Turkish government submitted the new parliamentary motion regarding authorized operations on the border between Turkey and northern Iraq. Turkey’s motive in the
region is to maintain a secure border and prevent all terrorist activity, led by the PKK. The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet states: ” The terrorist threat and attacks by outlaw PKK separatists, which took shelter in the north of Iraq, continued against peace, security, national unity and territorial integrity of Turkey.” Turkey has adopted an aggressive military stance to terrorist activities in northern Iraq for the last two years. Analyzing this motion, it is clear that they will continue with this stand.
Although the mandate was passed, there will still be discussions about the decision. In a week, the Turkish Parliament (TMBB), will gather once more to finalize this motion.
The most interesting observation at the domestic level about this issue would be that the opposition parties, CHP (Republican Peoples Party) and MHP (Nationalist Movement Party), have given their support to the motion. In the political arena there is no doubt that this motion will pass. This is a solid demonstration that the opposition parties and the government can work together to maximize the national interest. It is a step in the right direction, to decrease turmoil that the political arena has been in for too long.
However, at the international level, it should be considered that the Turkish military presence in northern Iraq will continue to exist, at least for another year.
It is clear that the Iraqi government will have no say in this matter, considering that they are not capable of securing the borders and preventing terrorist activity. Iraqi motives are an enigma, almost impossible to understand, in contrast to Turkish motives, which are justified under the United Nations.
Aylin Ece Cicek
