Army could have sealed the Iraqi border before
Turkey should have sealed off its borders to the PKK long ago. We did not need American help in northern Iraq or air raids against the terrorist camps to start taking measures. Why didn't anyone take these measures is an important question that needs to be answered. Ilnur Cevik 14 January 2008 Font Size:
default medium large
ilnurcevik@yahoo.com In a recent TV program which this columnist also attended Nationalist Movement Party Deputy Deniz Bolukbasi asked a very legitimate question: If the United States was capable of monitoring and then handing over such vital intelligence to Turkey on PKK movements in northern Iraq why didn't the Americans help Turkey before and why did they wait until November?
No one has been able to answer this question in a satisfactory manner but we say "let bygones be bygones." What is important now is that we have full American backing and Turkey is receiving real time intelligence to effectively deal with PKK presence in northern Iraq. Beyond that the U.S. has opened Iraqi airspace to Turkey which allowed us to carry out air raids against PKK hideouts.
Now the Turkish army is moving ahead with plans to seal off the borders with northern Iraq by stationing tanks in all major hilltops which are equipped with heat seekers and other censors that can detect the approach of PKK militants from Iraqi territory. Military patrols have been increased and the place is flooded with 100,000 troops. The PKK will now have a very hard time trying to infiltrate into Turkey.
As a matter of fact as soon as there is any kind of PKK movement in northern Iraq the Americans inform Turkey and Turkish fighter planes raid the area. Meanwhile, Turkish artillery also goes into action thus making life hell for the terrorist. This is what we all wanted and we are happy to get.
What is sad is that in 2004 we were also enjoyed a similar situation where the borders were effectively sealed off and the PKK could not move into Turkey.
So what really happened after that? We feel it is up to our military leaders toe explain all this
Besides we feel the current massive measures to seal off the borders could have been taken long ago. It did not need American approval or it did not need a Turkish parliamentary motion allowing Turkish forces to enter northern Iraq. What is being done today is being done on Turkish territory.
These measures could have been taken months ago… Did anyone prevent the military from doing this? We know no body did that so what has happened?
Too many lives have been lost in the past year as the PKK accelerated its terrorist actions. The Turkish public has been pushed into a state of revolt in view of these attacks so much so that anti-Kurdish sentiment had reached a peak a few months ago. Funerals were used effectively to create ethnic enmity. Are we mistaken?
All Artices of
Ilnur Cevik The right of free communications does not exist in Turkey.. Gul’s presidency is also challenged in Turkey
..The Turkish Parliament speaker does not see the real goal.. The real target is Prime Minister Erdogan
Turkey should have hosted the Queen under better circumst.. PKK is fighting back but without Iraqi Kurdish backing Turkey's global image is being hurt
..May Day exploited to hit at the Erdogan government
<..…and Baykal remains main opposition leader
CHP should not be the name of destructive opposition
..Is the nation the supreme power?
Of course AK Party will rally democratic forces against p.. There is a strong possibility that AK Party will be banne.. A lame duck administration in Turkey
..Party closure means chaos for Turkey
..Yes Turkey delayed reforms, but did EU help?
..Can the Turkish Supreme Court restore confidence in the j.. Vote by Turkish Supreme Court judges show AK Party will b.. Turkish Supreme Court should reject case against AK Party.. The chief prosecutor has plunged Turkey into disarray ..The dirty war against AK Party
Turkey faces a period of uncertainty
..Ankara gives out confused signals on pro-Kurdish partySo what did the visit of Talabani achieve?
<..Talabani visit to Ankara is deficient
..Turkey's military is responsible for any outcome in north.. February 28 is a coup anniversary for Turks
..Iraqi Kurds have to accept that PKK is also their problem.. As Turkey prepares hit and run operations in northern Ira.. Went with the bayonet, came back with elections
So why all this media opposition to Erdogan?
..The mainstream media that targeted Erdogan
<..Turkish secularists are again seeking a coup
..Turkish government should be sensitive to all bans
<..The Germans have to face their own realities
..Erdogan must be prepared for fight
<..Headscarf issue will remain a major woe
No Turkish electricity embargo on north Iraq
..Turkish ultranationalist gang displays the realities
..Headscarf solution was long overdue
..Kurdish leaders pushed on all sides
..Peace in Turkey, peace in the world
..Karamanlis takes the first vital step
..Karamanlis is here as a friend
Turkey's judiciary has to respect the elected
..We have to live with the headscarf reality
<..Did we learn lessons from the Dink murder?
<..Ties with Arab world not alternative to EU
<..This is a risky war for the government
Turkish diplomatic offensive on all fronts
<..Army could have sealed the Iraqi border before
Will changing 301 really do the trick?
No surprise! All out US support continues
<..Gul gives the right message to the Kurds
Turkish-US relations will always survive
Attacks show PKK is digging its own grave
Turk should be the last person to be indicted
..President should not be treated like a PM in US
We had already seen Benazir as premier…
..2008 will be tough year for the Turks
..2007: The nation pressed for change
..As red lines of the Kurds turn into pink
When will Citizen Osman feel the economic boom?
World sees Turkey's military capabilities
Kurds have to get used to these raids
..Iraqi Kurds have to see the new realities of Iraq
Should Turks exclude or include DTP at Eid?
..US made its choice by assisting Turkey
Turkey serves final warning to the PKK
Is EU sincere in helping Turkish democratization?
Turkish military is contradicting itself
Turkey doesn't want to call it an amnesty
Valuing human rights should be a way of life
..What if people like Gulen did not exist?
So what do we do to create new jobs?
..Gul presidency is an asset for Turkey
..Turkey and Greece on the right track
..Peace in Pakistan, peace in the world
Turkish air disaster should be eye opener
AK Party's Kurdish campaign is wrong
..We must be prepared to face Kurdish reality
..What if Gul was not the president?
<..Can there be Mideast peace without Iran?
Time to overhaul the Turkish constitution
..Turkey should promote democracy in the world
<..Turkey starts to exploit its strategic advantages
Turkey has to face its Kurdish reality
Iraqi Kurds ready to look the other way
Threat to ban DTP corners the Erdogan government
We should thank Gul and Erdogan on Saudi policy
The DTP has a duty but so do the others
Military news blackout displays the sad picture
Two presidents address the Turkish parliament
..Strong position in Mideast enhances Turkey in the EU
..The monarch who has enhanced Saudi image
Tehran putting more pressure with Kirkuk
Government also says "no magical formula"
Iraqi Kurds need to be pragmatic and realistic
Mrs. Pelosi should also look at the map
Turkey has to prove that it is not bluffing
..Turkish-US ties must endure public pressure
..Military incursion not a foregone conclusion
..Turkey has to show it means business
..This is not terrorism, it is clearly a warfare
We always create a fuss out of nothing
Those questions are tough for a military democracy
..They're trying to keep a military democracy
Are the Iraqi Kurds really a security risk?
..New legislative year with new challenges
<..Iraqi Kurds must allow implementation of deal
The inevitable is happening in Iraq
Are we heading for a clash with US on Iran?
..New constitution debate is creating more confusion
<..Turkey has the say for the future of north Iraq
..We have to decide our role in the Iraqi equation
US embarrasses the Kurds once again
Make no mistake: This is the AK Party's draft
Gul shows solidarity with President Talat
..Turkish companies are alienated by the Kurds
What kind of a bomb plot is this?
The State also has to embrace the Southeast
..Turkey has to walk on thin ice in the Mideast
Anniversary of a military coup
Osama Bin Laden is still live and well
Talabani cannot have best of all the worlds
..The judiciary should be open to criticism
..Even Israel trusts Gul but the CHP does not…
<..Baydemir complains, but Erdogan is right
..Please stop harassing the First Lady, just help her
..Push for the EU just for the sake of democracy
<..New president, new cabinet and a brand new TNA format ..Welcome Pres. Gul, goodbye Mr. Sezer
Gul’s presidency may be good for the Kurds
Turkey wants Iraq to remain united
Jews in US let the cat out of the bag
Three setbacks in one day is a wake up call
..The media is flying high, but military not amused
The presidency will now have added importance
General Buyukanit is doing the right thing
..Gul shows how his presidency will go
Sezer did it again!
Presid.. Why are they opposing Gul?
Isn't the PKK really a terrorist organization?
<..Will Maliki be able to deliver on the PKK?
..…and now for the election of the new president ..AK Party should tend to Ankara's water problem
Nation applauds civilized parties
So CHP has found several scapegoats
Maliki coming to Ankara, Turkish expectations too high
<.. MHP impresses as tough but realistic
What if Gul and his wife were not sincere?
Let this be a fresh start for all parties
Too many reasons for Gul to be president
..Iraqi Kurds should prove their friendship
..Baykal should not accuse the media
Clear cut victory puts burden on AK Party
..Clear cut victory puts burden on AK Party
..Erdogan should not be sent to early retirement
<..Iraq will be priority after the elections
..When will the Turkish Cypriots enjoy freedom?
Wait till Kurds enter the Parliament and…
..A major crisis in Turkish-US ties?
Citizen Osman is paying the bill
Campaign should not become a fight.. Campaign should not become a fight.. When a daily decides to play the role of God.. Iraqis seem to have swallowed the bait.. Blame PKK and close your eyes to realities.. Erdogan will not have an easy ride this time as PM.. Erdogan will not have an easy ride this time as PM.. Erdogan will not have an easy ride this time as PM.. Will the supreme court intervene again?.. Turkey is going strong despite political turmoil.. Turkish judiciary put to test with Dink trial.. Keeping the pressure up on the Iraqi Kurds.. Babacan is trying to keep a brave face.. Babacan is trying to keep a brave face.. When the Kurds enter the Turkish Parliament.. Turkey must exploit oil routes from Iran & Iraq.. French moves signals troubles in the future.. Turkey's unique location offers great opportunities.. Sedat Bucak is in but others are out….. Iraqi Kurds prove their muscle with new oil law.. Are opening chapters so important for Turks?.. Turks and Kurds must not fuel mutual enmity.. Presidential veto becomes routine.. There is not much Maliki can provide.. Is this how you respect the will of the people?.. Targeting Barzani is the easy way out.. Talk of cross border operation dies down.. PKK killing 4 birds with only one stone.. Government being pushed to a corner.. Iraq and US have to see the realities.. Military message is laud and clear.. Erdogan is dealing with 'tribal' leaders.. Same old story before early polls.. Lists show parties moving to center.. Center-right flop, left-wing success.. Do we want to solve issues or create havoc?.. Are the elections under any threat?.. Turkey needs serious work on Iraq policy.. North Iraq security file goes to Kurds.. Should the system function like this?.. Don't forget the ugly face of military coups.. Sezer is wrong, but he is the president….. Cross border operation is not a political game.. Suicide bomb! So we are all in the same boat.. Block AK Party, ban DTP and then what?.. Public opinion polls not taken seriously.. Will the crowds now vote for CHP-DSP?.. Ataturk was the father of liberation movements.. Alliance but still no unity.. What happened to the Semdinli case?.. Mrs. Ecevit decides not to be scapegoat.. These rallies should not be taken lightly.. Inclusion of Kurds or exclusion?.. Explosion in Erbil is the wake up call..