Redstate

This is... "interesting" is a nice, neutral word.

By Moe Lane Posted in War — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

President of Iraqi Kurdish region urges end to rebellion
by Abdel Hamid Zebari

ARBIL, Iraq (AFP) - The president of Iraq's northern Kurdish region on Wednesday urged the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to end its more than two-decade armed struggle against Turkey.

"We call upon the PKK to eliminate violence and armed struggle as a mode of operation," said a sternly worded four-point statement issued by the office of Massud Barzani, president of the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq.

"We do not accept in any way, based on our commitment to the Iraqi constitution, the use of Iraqi territories, including the territories of the Kurdistan region, as a base to threaten the security of neighbouring countries."

As Captain Ed notes... hold on, and read on.

Anyway, the Captain notes that this is a drastic switch:

Barzani said on Sunday that the Kurds would defend against the Turks and that the PKK leaders could not be surrendered. In the intervening three days, Barzani has had a change of heart. That may just be reality slapping him in the face -- the reality that the US will not defend Barzani as long as he acts as a defender of terrorism against the Turks.

It's also probably a reflection of this (noted by our own blackhedd). It looks increasingly like a deal has been worked out between the KAR, the Turks, and the United States. Nobody's likely to be ecstatic with the results, but all the parties involved will probably be willing to settle for "equally displeased" - as long as the terrorism stops, which is in everybody's short-term interest... including, come to think of it, the PKK's.

Incidentally, this event also clarifies that the United States is not violating a diplomatic rule that I have heard (but not confirmed) comes from the Empress Theodora: "Do not trample over old friends in your rush to meet new ones." Even if it doesn't come from her, it's darn good advice to heed.