Turkey and Iraq: Confrontation or Interaction?

What is the root of tensions between Turkey and Iraq and how far they will go?

Turkey and Iraq are two neighboring countries with political, cultural, and geopolitical commonalities and also common political interests. These two countries have always held strong relations since both of them have Muslim populations. Great efforts have always been made for these commonalities and similarities to somehow be reflected within the framework of the national interests of each one of these countries. Following Saddam’s overthrow, the government of Turkey attempted to create relations with other Iraqi political groups. This was done especially since Iraq was being governed with a new approach which was displayed in its democratic process. Later certain developments occurred, some of which led to differences between the two countries. Of course, some cases of differences have, since long, been issues of concern for both countries. Among them was the issue of water. By building various dams inside its territory, Turkey has reduced the amount of water that enters Iraq from this country which, in turn, has had negative impacts on Iraq’s industrial and agricultural structure and even water availability for the people. This year, Iraq is faced with a drought for the fifth consecutive year. Therefore, this is one of the serious matters of difference.

At the present time, the government of Iraq has many differences with the government of Turkey over some minor issues. There are attempts on both sides to resolve these differences within a logical and wise framework. The issue of Tariq al-Hashimi is now one of the disputed matters between the two countries. It seems that reaching a solution for these problems is possible.

Considering the relations that the Islamic Supreme Council has with Turkey, it has always made great efforts to logically solve these problems within a wise framework, so that the national interests of both countries would be provided. We hope that these problems will soon be resolved.

What has been, in your opinion, the Kurdish population’s role in these tensions and to what extent can they use this atmosphere?

 One of the serious issues of difference between the government of Mr. al-Maleki and the Turkish government is Turkey’s interactions with the Kurdish residents of northern Iraq. Iraq’s central government believes that all agreements and issues related to Iraq’s Kurdistan region must be discussed through Baghdad, for Iraq’s constitution states that matters of unity in Iraq must be controlled by the Iraqi capital and foreign policy is among the issues related to the Iraqi capital and its united government. Based on its constitution, the administrative system in Iraq is a federal one. In federal countries, as can also be seen in Articles 110 and 111 of the Iraqi constitution, there are eleven domains in which decisions are specifically reserved for the Iraqi central government. Foreign policy issues are included on this list. Therefore, the Iraqi government believes that the government of Turkey must follow up on all of its activities with Kurdistan through Baghdad, not directly. An example of this can be seen in the issue of oil sales and how this crucial issue for Iraq is dealt with. The government of Iraq is of the belief that these contracts should be signed with the Iraqi government and organized by the government. However, it seems that if both sides show serious determination, this issue can be resolved.

In your opinion, how can Mr. al-Maleki take advantage of the Kurds against the Turkish government?

As far as I know, it is not Iraqi policy to play such cards against the Turkish government. Iraq’s general foreign policy is based on good relations with neighboring countries, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, and the resolution of existing problems. This can be observed in the serious steps taken recently to resolve existing problems with Kuwait and we hope that Iraq will be released from Chapter 7 of the UN Charter with regard to Kuwait in the following months. The only issue which currently keeps Iraq under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter is the issue of Kuwait. Iraq had previously also been bound by Chapter 7 due to issues of weapons of mass destruction and the US occupation. These issues were resolved and the only issue that remains is Kuwait. This issue is also gradually being resolved and it seems that it will be fully resolved in the following months, because the main issues have been agreed upon.

The same can be said with regard to Turkey. We can even observe this trend in Mr. al-Maleki’s recent interview. He is extending an olive branch to Turkey, as long as Turkey considers certain criteria defined by him.

Considering the complicated situation in the region, particularly Syria, and the polarization created with regard to this issue, it seems that Iraq can play a significant and effective role in finding a solution to the Syrian crisis. There has not yet been a consensus among countries, whether those supporting Bashar Assad or those who support the opposition, that the solution to Syria’s crisis is not a military one, but a political one and the rights and interests of the people of Syria must be safeguarded through a political process without any foreign intervention. Numerous proposals have been offered by different parties in this regard. Considering the fact that Turkey is a significant party in solving these problems, the government of Iraq can certainly play an important role in softening the atmosphere and solving this problem, for the interests of Iraq are not separate from those of the region. Any change in Syria, Turkey, or any other country will impact Iraq and vice versa.  Thus, we need regional convergence and cooperation so that, within a defined framework, problems will be solved in a manner with which the interests of the region would be maintained and unnecessary intervention of extra-regional forces would be prevented.

Mr. Maleki has invited the leader of Turkey’s opposition party to visit Iraq. What impacts, in your opinion, will this invitation have on Iraq-Turkey relations?

I do not believe that this invitation will have negative impacts, because just as Turkey invites all political parties of Iraq to participate in different conferences, including the conference of the Justice and Development Party, it would be natural for Iraq to invite all Turkish political parties. As you know, the Republican People’s Party, whose head has been invited to Iraq, holds 104 or 108 seats in the 550-seat Turkish parliament. Therefore, his party, in fact, represents one fifth of the Turkish population. Thus, it is natural for such a party inside the parliament and/or other legal and official parties of Turkey to be invited to Iraq. In my opinion, Mr. Maleki’s recent interview had a positive message for Turkey so that the two countries would be able to pass this stage.