Statements by U.S. Officials
Ambassador David Satterfield, Coordinator for Iraq interviewed by Murat Akgun on NTV
Friday, January 18th
NTV: Welcome, Mr. Ambassador. First of all I would like to get your opinion about the situation in Iraq in the short term. Do you see a civil war? How do you regard the security situation?
Satterfield: The surge of US troops, the strengthening of Iraqi security forces, all of these elements have contributed to the increased security in Iraq. I do not see civil war today; however that is a likely possibility. What are we concerned about unity in Iraq? I see all Iraqis, Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds telling themselves, each other, telling us, they want to see a unified Iraq. It’s going to be a federal Iraq, that’s what the constitution provides for, and the definition of federalism needs to be worked out between Iraq’s leaders, with Iraq’s people, but we see a single united Iraq.
NTV: One of the most important issues for Iraq is the referendum in Kirkuk. Mr. Barzani has said there will be a referendum for the future of Kirkuk in six months. Now, what’s your comment with the reaction of the Washington administration – do you think it’s possible to have such an important referendum in such a short time?
Satterfield: The United Nations, through the good offices of the new Secretary General’s Special Representative has been working this issue with KRG leadership as well as with other elements in Iraq with our strong backing and support. What he has devised is a process, a process that leads to an understanding, a consensus resolution on article 140, Kirkuk and other issues are included in that article. We want to see, the United States wants to see, a resolution reached whenever that may be, that meets the needs of all parties concerned. We do not want to see a unilateral decision taken; we do not want to see a decision taken that contributes to the division of Iraq rather than unity, stability, and security. We believe that such a process is underway and should happen at the time it needs in order to come to a satisfactory conclusion.
NTV: Do you believe that such a referendum can take place in 2008?
Satterfield: Well we certainly hope that progress towards a mutually agreeable resolution to the questions raised in article 140 can be achieved this year. That’s going to depend on progress on the ground made by all of the parties.
NTV: Turkey has some doubts about the referendum. Do you believe the doubts can be addressed by the time the referendum takes place?
Satterfield: We have been very clear that interested parties, such as the government of Turkey, the United States Government, has a right to express our views. The security and stability of Iraq is very important for both of our countries. It’s very important for Iraq. While we respect Turkey’s views, the ultimate outcome will need to be decided on the ground by Iraqis.
NTV: I have a question about the relationship between the northern Iraqi leadership and the US?
Satterfield: We have a good relation with the Kurdish leadership, with President Talabani, with KRG President Barzani, with their senior officials. The secretary of state was in Iraq on Tuesday and she met with President Talabani, Mr. Barzani, and other senior leaders. They had a good discussion, they had a very frank discussion, they focused on issues involving Iraqi unity, the national hydrocarbon law, that we hope can be negotiated. The secretary made it very clear. We see the Kurdish region as part of the unified Iraq. President Barzani made the same comment that he, too, sees the future of Iraq as a unified Iraq with Baghdad as the capital for all Iraqis, including its Kurdish population, and that’s a positive sign.
NTV: We hear they are making agreements without the authority of the central administration in Baghdad. What is your comment on this?
Satterfield: Well, our position is very clear, and it was expressed by the secretary of state to President Barzani. We believe there should be a moratorium on such contracting activities. It does not contribute to an atmosphere for negotiating a national hydrocarbon law and that is our focus right now. It raises doubts, sends mixed signals to the international community, and very frankly, it is not a course that will lead, whether from the standpoint of the Kurdish government or the Iraqi government, to a satisfactory outcome. That outcome is agreed by everyone, it should be to maximize Iraq’s hydrocarbon resources for the equitable benefit of all Iraqis.
NTV: How would you characterize the cooperation between the US and Turkey against terrorism?
Satterfield: It is excellent cooperation and it will continue.
NTV: Do you think the US support to Turkey will expand or only be limited to military intelligence?
Satterfield: We view the PKK as a terrorist organization. It has killed too many innocent Turkish citizens. It has upset the stability of this region, in Turkey and Iraq and it needs to be brought to an end. We are working with the Turkish government to achieve that outcome just as we are working with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish regional government on the same objectives, and that will continue.
NTV: How would you characterize Turkish General Saygun’s visit to Baghdad?
Satterfield: It was a very good visit. General Saygun saw General Petraeus, he also saw Iraq Armed Forces Deputy Chief Abati. These were good talks, they were good discussions, they dealt with broad issues, not just the PKK, but also cooperation between the government of Iraq, the government of Turkey, and the security forces in Iraq. We’d like to see this kind of dialogue continue, it’s something we’re committed to and something we believe the Turkish government is committed to.
NTV: Everyone knows the central government in Iraq is not strong enough to help Turkey in the fight against terrorism. How about the help the Kurdish leadership for Turkey, because Mr. Barzani is still not willing to characterize the PKK as a terrorist organization? In this case, do you believe the fight against the PKK will be successful in the short term without the help, the real help, of Mr. Barzani?
Satterfield: It is essential that all elements of the Kurdish regional government, including President Barzani, are engaged in as direct and effective manner as possible against this terrorist threat. Look, the Kurdish regional government’s stability and the livelihood of Kurdish citizens in northern Iraq are affected by the activities of the PKK. It needs to come to a halt. It needs to be ended, resolved definitively. That will require actions by the KRG, our own actions, and actions by the Turkish armed forces, all working together.
NTV: The mechanism was not effective in the past. For example, General Ralston’s mechanism was criticized. Do you think we see real improvement with this mechanism?
Satterfield: We have a very different mechanism now, today, which is a much more effective mechanism and it is achieving results.
NTV: What are your expectations for Turkey in providing for permanent stability in Iraq?
Satterfield: Turkey has strong interest in the stability, security, and unity of Iraq. It has a very strong interest in ending the PKK terror threat. We believe the maximum degree of Turkish presence, engagement, involvement in Iraq is a positive thing. Turkey is a respected voice in the Middle East. We want Turkey to use that voice, as it is, in an effective manner with others within the region to contribute to Iraqi security and stability. This is the course the Turkish government has embarked on now; it is a course we strongly support.
NTV: Press reports allege the US was asking for use of Turkish airports and harbors in the case of the withdrawal of US Forces from Iraq. What is your comment on a timetable for withdrawal?
Satterfield: Absolutely not. General Petraeus, on repeated instances, insists the status of US Forces in Iraq will be determined by circumstances on the ground, the recommendations of General Petraeus, and nothing else. We are in the process of withdrawing the brigades that were surged into Iraq during the course of this past year. Any decision on further steps will be made as a recommendation by General David Petraeus later this year and will be considered through the chain of command, ultimately by the president. But no, we have no specific requests.
NTV: Concerning the general situation in Iraq, is Washington satisfied with the help and cooperation from Turkey?
Satterfield: We are very pleased with the contributions from Turkey.
NTV: Last question. What might be the contribution of good Turkish-American relations to the Middle East in general?
Satterfield: Turkey is a respected voice in the region, as I said, not just with respect to Iraq. Whether with regard to Syria, the Gulf, or Iran, what Turkey says is listened to. It is a responsible force and we very much hope that Turkey uses that role in a fashion that contributes to regional stability and security.
NTV: Do you feel the level of dialogue between Turkey and the central leadership in Baghdad is satisfactory at the moment?
Satterfield: I think the stronger that dialogue that is, the greater degree of Turkish engagement is better for Turkish interests as well as for the long term interests of Iraq and the region.
NTV: Do you feel Mr. Barzani and his government is taking the necessary steps for good dialogue between Ankara and northern Iraq?
Satterfield: There is much more that can be done by the Kurdish leadership with respect to the addressing the threat posed by the PKK. We continue to urge them to continue taking measures already adopted and to make them more effective.
NTV: Do you feel the US is doing its best concerning helping Turkey in the fight against the PKK?
Satterfield: We certainly do.
NTV: Mr. Ambassador, thank you so much.
Satterfield: Thank you. It was my pleasure.