From: "Rich Gauszka" 

yet more fuel to the fire
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_columns_100042_04/06/2007_84082

The Kurds lived in the region for millennia before the arrival of the
Turks. Today they are divided among four states, with most living in
Turkey, followed by those in Iraq, Iran and Syria. At the Treaty of Sevres
in 1920, the Kurds saw their dream of a homeland almost become reality but
the treaty was stillborn. In 1945, in a part of Iran that was occupied by
Soviet forces, Kurds set up the Republic of Mahabad. By the end of 1946,
after the Soviet withdrawal, this rebellion was crushed by the Iranians.
Later, backed by Iran and the United States, the Iraqi Kurds rose against
the regime in Baghdad. But in 1975, the shah made a deal with Iraq and
abandoned the Kurds, as did the US. Inevitably, after each rebellion the
Kurds suffered terrible reprisals. That is why they say the Kurds have no
friends but the mountains.
....
As true practitioners of realpolitik, the Kurds of Iraq have in the past
allied themselves with Turkish forces against Turkey's Kurds, knowing that
they need Ankara's tolerance to survive. But now that Kurdish autonomy in
northern Iraq is a fact, and with the US making it abundantly clear that
they are not in favor of Turkish adventurism, the Iraqi Kurds will fight.
The Turkish tanks now massing on the border may suffer the same fate as
Saddam's when they are forced to leave the plains of Mesopotamia and enter
the mountains. Also, if Turkish forces start to lose blood and treasure in
Iraq this may prompt a broader rebellion in southeastern Turkey that will
be difficult to control. The military cost will be inestimable, but the
political one will be even greater and will lead to greater Kurdish
confidence at Turkey's expense.


"Adam" <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the
field.near the bridge"> wrote in message
news:4667ce88$1{at}w3.nls.net...
>
http://news.google.co.uk/news?q=turkish+troops+northern+Iraq&hl=en&um=1&sa=X&
oi=news&ct=title
>
> Many many coverages.
>
> Hum.
>
> One wonders if DC or at least the local US HQ was pre-informed.
>
> "Turkish security officials say several thousand Turkish troops have
> crossed into northern Iraq to chase Kurdish guerrillas who operate from
> bases there.
>
> The officials tell The Associated Press that the raid is limited in
> scope and that it does not constitute the kind of large incursion that
> Turkish leaders have been discussing in recent weeks.
>
> The last major Turkish incursion into northern Iraq was in 1997, when
> about 50,000 troops were sent to the region. The officials have not said
> where the Turkish force was operating and have not said how long they
> would be there.
>
> The US military says it can't confirm the reports but is "very
> concerned.""
>
>
> Meanwhile Gul is denying...
>
> "Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul denied Wednesday that Turkish
> troops had entered neighboring northern Iraq in a cross-border operation
> to hunt down separatist Kurdish rebels.
>
> Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul denied Wednesday that Turkish
> troops had entered neighboring northern Iraq in a cross-border operation
> to hunt down separatist Kurdish rebels.
>
> "There is no incursion into any other country at the moment," Gul told
> reporters here. "
>
>
> Note the use of "at the moment". i.e. this is true so long as what's
> planned has either (A) ended or (B) not started.....
>
> Oh joy.
>
> My big worry in all this Iraq mess has been Turkey turning away from the
> West & to the South.
>
> People on the right in the US witter on about AQ....AQ ain't squat
> compared to Turkey.
>
> An "activist" Turkey in the ME.....lead by
"islamists" keen to push an
> alternative Islamist approach to  AQ/Saudi or Hezbollah/Iran or
> Hamas/Muslim Brotherhood
>
>
> Blimey this could get fun fast.
>
> The reality in the ME is that there are only 3 "natural"
powers: Egypt,
> Persia/Iran, and Asia Minor/Turkey.
>
> All the others are shooting stars either propelled by outside power
> (Israel) or temporary resources (Saudi/oil rich Arab states in general).
>
> Twas ever so. e.g. Eqyptians vs Hittites vs Persians (esp with the
> arrival of Cyrus).
>
> External empires have always found this e.g. Anthony & Cleopatra,
> Parthian wars etc.etc.
>
> Adam

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5