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Anxious days for Turkish Afghanistan command

Jon Gorvett 9/09/02

Recent unrest in Afghanistan is putting pressure on Turkey, which heads the international peacekeeping force in Kabul. Questions about the peacekeeper's ability to promote stability in the Afghan capital are coming at a sensitive time, when the international community is pondering an expansion of the force's mandate to cover other cities in Afghanistan.

Turkey has faced widespread scrutiny since it took over leadership of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Great Britain on June 20. The force, which fields soldiers from a variety of countries, came under Turkish command after a long debate over how much ground it could cover. Thus, the September 5 assassination attempt against interim Afghan President Hamid Karzai, along with the Kabul car bombing that left at least 25 dead, has served to intensify the debate about ISAF's capabilities.

Karzai and some UN officials have long urged as expansion of ISAF's mandate to cover Afghanistan's provinces, where warlords often use American aid and equipment to maintain their own militias. The United States has resisted the idea of expanding ISAF's mission until recently [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive]. But US officials add that the question of ISAF leadership must be resolved before any expansion plan can be given serious consideration. Turkey's initial mandate to lead ISAF is due to expire December 20.

On September 4, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told reporters that Turkey was discussing a possible mandate extension with US officials. However, foreign ministry sources privately stated that no agreement had been reached on this. They added that both Ankara and Washington was instead looking for a another country to lead ISAF in 2003.

Meanwhile, the Turkish commander of the 4,650-strong ISAF, General Hilmi Akin Zorlu, has accused Afghan warlord Gulbeddin Hekmatyar of being in league with remnants of the Taliban and Al Queda in an effort to destabilize the country. He also accused Hekmatyar of being behind various car bombings and shootings in Kabul and elsewhere – a statement reiterated after the attempt against Karzai's life.

"Some members of Hizb-i-Islami, headed by former Afghan Prime Minister Gulbeddin Hekmatyar, have been trying to destabilize the transitional authority (of President Karzai)," he told reporters. The accusation provoked an angry response from Hekmatyar, who accused the Turkish general of "speaking with American language." Hekmatyar denied that he had any links with Taliban or Al-Queda.

While warlords throughout Afghanistan resist Karzai and attempt to discredit the interim government in Kabul, the verbal battle between Hekmatyar and Zorlu hints at another challenge to the Turkish command. As the only largely Muslim country in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Turkey has used its religious identity as a source of strength in its security efforts.

Turkish soldiers, for example, have assisted in rebuilding mosques and other war damaged religious sites. By implying that Anakara is taking orders from Washington, Hekmatyar may be aiming to erode the esteem that Turkish troops enjoy in Afghanistan. In any case, Hekmatyar is forcing Turkey and ISAF to take measures to bolster security in Kabul.

Zorlu has refused to be drawn for his views on a possible extension of his command, both in terms of time and territory, except to say that an expansion would require ISAF to obstain "stronger units, with tanks, with armored units, with attack helicopters." He added that providing such a force would be up to the countries backing ISAF, with the likely chief donor being the United States.

With the security situation in Afghanistan uncertain, it seems likely that if Turkey is to take on a lengthier and greater responsibility, it will also need much greater financial support. This issue was a major stubling block during negotiations before Turkey agreed to accept the ISAF mandate. Eventually, the United States delivered an about $228 million aid package to Ankara, $28 million of which was used to finance the Turkish deployment. Turkey would undoubtedly seek a much larger amount if ISAF was expanded.

Prime Minister Ecevit is also known to be keeping an eye on the upcoming general elections in Turkey, scheduled for November 3, with the worry that an upsurge in violence – and possible Turkish casualties – might have an effect on the ballot. Being seen to bow to US wishes too easily would also likely hurt him in the polls, although his party, the Democratic Left (DSP), looks unlikely to survive the election in any case, as its level of support is way below that necessary to gain any seats in parliament.

Editor's Note: Jon Gorvett is a freelance journalist based in Istanbul.

Posted September 9, 2002 © Eurasianet

Topics: Peacekeeping,