Being aware of the Ergenekon in Arbil

The two-day conference titled "Searching for Peace and Future Together" ended with a conclusion declaration. I remember just a few meetings where so many renowned and influential Turkish intellectuals participated in, but for the first time so many distinguished people visited this mysterious land which rules the agenda in Turkey quite often. The occasion here, however, was not covered by the Turkish agenda and this is perhaps for the first time.

I think our colleagues who visited the Kurdistan territory in Iraq and colleagues who live there will from now on write articles after sleeping on their impressions for a while. However, most of them were tired of the Kurdish media’s heavy attention. It was possible to see academics giving interviews to Turkish media members or in front of TV cameras in the hall or in the courtyard. Turkish media remained reluctant to the occasion contrary to the Kurdish media.

The Kurdish media is brisk and pluralist although people living in the Iraqi-Kurdish land are extremely calm.

A member of the Kurdish media or an ordinary Iraqi-Kurdish man, all are asking every Turkish man they see why Turkey doesn’t have a consulate general in Arbil.

A similar question is whether or not Arbil will be included in the itinerary of the expected official visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gül to Iraq.

What they are looking for in the answers, without doubt, is if Turkey really recognizes the Kurdish entity, or officially "Kurdistan Regional Administration," or KRA.

Turkey should get used to the name "Kurdistan." This also defines the acceptance criteria for Turkey to project the "Kurdish identity" inside.

Hundreds of Turkish companies running business in the cities of Arbil, Süleymaniye and Dohuk in the KRA. Besides, thousands in southeastern Turkey keep crossing the border. Such powerful humanitarian, economic and commercial ties and the "potential political, economic and cultural relations" require direct representation of the Republic of Turkey in Arbil.

The Turkish general consulate in Mosul is open for three years. But Mosul, an hour outside Arbil by car, is troublesome for security reasons and Turkish citizens stop in Mosul rarely, that’s even incomparable to the Turkish traffic in Arbil.

Turkish Consul General in Mosul Hüseyin Avni Botsalı visited Arbil twice during his three years in office, the second visit for the Abant Platform. When I told him that he is gaining weight, Botsalı said it is 200 meters between the office and home so "inactivity" makes him fat. Owing to a hundred Turkish intellectuals visiting Arbil, the dinner party was I think one of the rare occasions he has outside the house.

Bilateral relations are developing, there is official "close-up" and the Turkish intellectuals in Arbil for the Abant Platform will speed this up and make contributions, it was said in every possible chance.

This, however, is slower than expected.

Turkey has a tremendous potential in the future that even if it cannot valuate, the "environment" is making "pre-emptive" efforts now. For instance, the day before we arrived in Arbil Iranian Foreign Minister Manucher Mouttaki paid a surprise visit to Arbil and Süleymaniye and the Kurdish officials interpret this as a "message to Turkey."

Iran already has general consulates in Arbil and Süleymaniye. Mouttaki’s visit to Arbil after Baghdad is in a way perceived as a message to Turkey; "Don’t be interested in Arbil more than necessary. We are here too."

As it is the case, Turkey’s having a general consulate in Basra, down in the south, after re-opening the Mosul general consulate three years ago and its sliding over and saying, "If God’s willing, in the future.." for the opening of a general consulate in Arbil, is nothing but putting the cart before the horse. Additionally, from the U.S. vice president to the U.S. state secretary to the Iranian foreign minister so many international top figures have already visited Arbil but none of the top-ranking Turkish officials came here. And this is hurting Kurds, putting a distance in between and "nurturing unnecessary doubts."

For this reason, Turkey should immediately open a general consulate in Arbil, as it is stressed in the conclusion statement. President Gül should definitely include Arbil in his Iraq itinerary. I heard the most meaningful Arbil impression from one for organizers of the Abant Platform. While we left the Khanzad Hotel located between Arbil and Selahaddin for the Arbil airport, he told me; "Such a strong togetherness opportunity there is. People are so very warm and willing toward us. I now see that the pro-Ergenekon kept us apart and made us to see this land as the land of the enemy." Perhaps it is unnecessary to relate everything to the Ergenekon crime gang but the "Ergenekon" is surely in everything about Kurds.