Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Some interesting revelations from Sadr's political spokesman...

Could be connected to confirmed clashes between Iran and Turkish Kurd rebels and possibly Israel’s involvement.

Per a report in the latest issue of the New Yorker, Israel is actively involved in supporting the Iraqi Kurds, who are fast sowing the seeds of their independence, albeit often under the convenient guise of a new Iraqi federalism. According to the article by veteran writer Seymour Hersh, who has aptly unearthed the secrets of Israel's nuclearization, not to mention the Abu Ghraib prison torture fiasco, Israel's secret service, Mossad, is engaged in covert operations among Iranian and Syrian Kurds, in addition to training Iraqi Kurd commandos and setting up the latter as a counterweight to Shi'ite militias.
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-Am

Sadr Satisfied with Turkey, Opposes Federation


Radical Iraqi Shiite Leader Muqtada Al-Sadr's organization is apparently pleased with the approach that Turkey and the Turkish public are taking towards the invasion of Iraq.

Sheikh Ahmet Al-Saybani, who is Sadr's political spokesman and is responsible for the 'Mahdi Army' in Necef (Najaf), disclosed on Wednesday that Sadr's organization paid close attention to the Turkish demonstrations against the invasion. "We know that the Turkish public is against the invasion. We will not forget the support they have given us," Saybani said.

The Shiite representative added that they were in contact with many political organizations throughout the world. He emphasized that Sadr's group is opposed to a federation that might lead to the division of Iraq.

Saybani spoke with ZAMAN at Sadr's headquarters in Najaf. He reiterated that they do not want Turkish troops to come to Iraq. "This issue had come to the agenda at the beginning of the war. Exhibiting the solidity of democracy, the Turkish parliament did not allow this. Turkey knows that the invasion of Iraq is something 'dirty'. So, it does not send troops to Iraq."

Saybani pointed out that in terms of its own benefit, Turkey had every reason to want to send troops to Iraq; however, Ankara followed 'a very bright' policy and refrained from sending troops.

Saybani also quashed American claims that the Sadr militia was supported with arms from abroad. He said that Sadr's men did not need weapons to carry out their resistance. He added that Sadr's organization was in contact with many political groups throughout the world, including the Spanish King and some opposition parties in Australia, to justify that their organization was right.

On the topic of Iraq possibly adopting a federative structure, the Shiite spokesman said, "Our neighbors Turkey, Syria and Iran will suffer the greatest damage out of a situation like this. This kind of a development will cause everyone to suffer."

'Kurdish people should not forget the US promises in the past'

About claims that Kurdish Peshmergas joined the invading forces in the fight against the resisters, Saybani responded with harsh words for the Kurds. "The Kurdish people should not forget that the US, which promised them [Kurds] many things, never kept any of its promises. The Peshmergas should keep in mind that they too might one day experience what we going through today."

Saybani also disclosed that Sadr's organization is paying close attention to the political developments in Bagdat (Baghdad). He explained that by accepting the legality of the government formed by Iyad Allawi, they [Sadr's group] conditioned the invasion forces to leave Iraq.

"However, Allawi said that he wanted these forces to stay in the country. In 2005, there will be many great political changes in Iraq. Our group may enter into politics. There may be someone other than Muqtada Al Sadr leading the party," Saybani told.



07.08.2004
Foreign News Services
Istanbul


http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&trh=20040708&hn=10178