TURKEY - CEASE SENDING WARPLANES TO ATTACK KURDS IN IRAQ

The BBC reports that Turkey has again conducted bombing raids over Iraqi Kurdistan. We are certain to hear from Turkish authorities of so many Kurdish "terrorists" killed as a result.

Turkey needs to stop these attacks. Nothing good ever comes from dropping bombs on suspected insurgents. Instead the real victims are innocent civilians and villagers who happen to be the unintended targets for this war crime.

I have many times condemned attacks and bombing raids carried out by the U.S. I have called upon the US Air Force to cease bombing Iraqi enclaves and towns. I have deplored U.S. airplanes killing scores of Afghan civilians and children.

Bombing and killing from the air is never a solution. This applies to Turkey as well as to the U.S. Airplanes dropping bombs will only cause more hatred and killing. Turkey needs to mothball its fighters and bombers and seek a diplomatic peaceful solution to its problem with the Kurds.

BARZANI, HEAD OF IRAQI KURDS, DISSES CONDI AND REFUSES TO MEET WITH HER

The BBC is reporting on its web site that Massoud Barzani, leader of the Iraqi Kurds, has refused to meet with Condoleeza Rice because of the support of the U.S. for the Turkish raids inside Iraq against Kurdish militants.

Reports the BBC:

"Iraq's Kurdish leader has refused to meet the US secretary of state because of US tolerance of recent Turkish raids into Iraq, Kurdish officials say.


"Kurdish regional President Massoud Barzani had been scheduled to meet Condoleezza Rice in Baghdad.


"Kurdish officials said it was "unacceptable" the US had "authorised Turkey to bomb our villages" on Sunday. "


The refusal of Barzani to meet with Rice just adds to the perception that the Bush/Rice foreign policy is bankrupt and inept. Both of these state actors seem to be conducting U.S. foreign policy without any forethought or planning. It's like, "Let's do this, let's do that," without foreseeing the possible negative consequences. No thought is given to the outcome of their actions. In foreign policy, Bush and Rice are both ingenues. How either one got to the position of power they now hold will remain an enigma, because on their merits both are incompetent.

BUSH STARTS SECRET MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST KURDS

Robert Novak has an article in today's The Washington Post in which he writes that George Bush is mounting a clandestine military campaign, this time against Kurdish fighters attacking Turkish army positions from across the border with Iraq. Novak claims that Eric Edelman, former Cheney aide and now undersecretary of defense for policy, briefed selected members of Congress on these secret military operations.

"Turkey has a well-trained, well-equipped army of 250,000 near the border, facing some 4,000 PKK fighters hiding in the mountains of northern Iraq. But significant cross-border operations surely would bring to the PKK's side the military forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the best U.S. ally in Iraq. What is Washington to do in the dilemma of two friends battling each other on an unwanted new front in Iraq?

"The surprising answer was given in secret briefings on Capitol Hill last week by Eric S. Edelman, a former aide to Vice President Cheney who is now undersecretary of defense for policy. Edelman, a Foreign Service officer who once was U.S. ambassador to Turkey, revealed to lawmakers plans for a covert operation of U.S. Special Forces to help the Turks neutralize the PKK. They would behead the guerrilla organization by helping Turkey get rid of PKK leaders that they have targeted for years."

This secret operation shows how dangerous Bush and Cheney can be, even in their last 16 months in office. Who thinks these plans through? It would seem that person or group enjoys engaging in risky behavior. The damage that the United States has caused in Iraq would be only the prelude to the conflagration and apocalypse that could erupt should the Kurds band together and enlarge their military raids into full-scale war against Turkey and possibly even against Iran. Even Bob Novak sees the risks:

"Edelman's listeners were stunned. Wasn't this risky? He responded that he was sure of success, adding that the U.S. role could be concealed and always would be denied. Even if all this is true, some of the briefed lawmakers left wondering whether this was a wise policy for handling the beleaguered Kurds, who had been betrayed so often by the U.S. government in years past.

"The plan shows that hard experience has not dissuaded President Bush from attempting difficult ventures employing the use of force. On the contrary, two of the most intrepid supporters of the Iraq intervention -- John McCain and Lindsey Graham-- were surprised by Bush during a recent meeting with him. When they shared their impressions with colleagues, they commented on how unconcerned the president seemed. That may explain his willingness to embark on such a questionable venture against the Kurds."