* INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR GENERAL MINETTI

Major General Gerald P. Minetti (Director, Coalition Coordination at Central Command) spoke with Yasemin Çongar on CNN Turk

November 21, 2006 MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

Çongar: General Minetti, good morning. Thank you for being with us. I would like to start by asking you about Iraq. In the briefing here this morning, the three main objectives in Iraq were stated as “security, stability and governance.” I would like to know how essential, in your view, is preserving Iraq’s territorial integrity to the achievement of these goals? Or, given the increase in the sectarian violence, do you think a loose federal system might serve the purpose better?

Minetti: I think that is something for the Iraqi government to discern and decide upon. I think when you look at the two successful elections and the constitutional referendum, there are provisions to be able to make changes. They are a sovereign government. The coalition countries that are there are all in support of helping the government and we will have to see as we progress what kind of changes the Iraqi government might see best for itself as we move down this path.

Çongar: Iraqi President, Mr. Talabani said recently, in a speech in Washington, that they would like to have U.S. bases in northern Iraq which is a relatively stable area. He was saying that because that would be a deterrent, in his words, against the neighbors who might want to interfere in Iraq. Do you think having permanent bases in northern Iraq is a good idea?

Minetti: At this time, CENTCOM has no plans for any permanent basing withşn the country of Iraq.

Çongar: Any plans for the redeployment of U.S. troops to the North, sir?

Minetti: I think the tactical commander, General Casey, in conference with his divisional commanders will have to make that call. I think right now the primary effort is Baghdad. Twenty percent of the Iraqi population lives in Baghdad. I would say the second priority would probably be the Al Anbar province up to the West. And so we have pulled forces from the North to move into Baghdad, the 172nd Striker Brigade was moved from the Mosul area down to Baghdad to help; their tour was extended. So I am not aware of anything to move more forces to the North.

Çongar: Let me switch to Iran briefly if I may. Again, in this morning’s briefing, I was struck by your choice of words about Iran. You used positive words in general, words like engagement and dialogue. And of course there is a lot of talk about engaging both Iran and Syria now, perhaps in a conference of Iraq’s neighbors. How important is it to get the cooperation of Iran and Syria and what do you think the best method of that would be?

Minetti: That is something for our diplomats to work out. The Secretary of State and our Department of State certainly has a lead on that. I think you gain a whole lot by talking. I also think that that would certainly add stability to the country of Iraq. If we could reduce, or better yet, eliminate the influx of foreign fighters and suicide bombers coming in throuıgh Syria, if we could get the Iranian government, or the parts of the Iranian government that are supporting ongoing operations within Iraq to see “How do we provide economic support as opposed to the military support that is counter to what the Iraqi government is trying to do.” So I think it will be a benefit for the entire region to be able to ensure that Iran and Syria became good neighbors.

Çongar: Let’s stay on Iraq. As you know, there is a continuous presence of the PKK in Northern Iraq. PKK, as you know, is a terrorist organization and recognized as such by the U.S., Turkey, and Europe. Combatting terrorism in Iraq is one of your objectives, but where does the PKK fit into the picture? Why hasn’t been any military operation against the PKK so far?

Minetti: I think there is ongoing cooperation between the Iraqi government, the United States and Turkey on dealing with the PKK concern. I think there were some consultative talks that were held in Turkey, I believe it was last month. I think they continued in Germany, maybe at the beginning of this month.

Çongar: In general terms, sir, do you think this is a military problem still or a political one?

Minetti: I think it is a little bit of both. Not being that involved in any of the negotiations that have been ongoing I probably cannot address it with the latest information that might be available.

Çongar: But there are no plans to deal wıth the PKK militarily…

Minetti: That is something again that the tactical commander on the ground would be aware of. I would not be aware of it here at Central Command.

Çongar: Sir, was it a problem that the 4th Infantry Division was unable to open a northern front in Iraq at the beginning of the War? When you look at the bigger picture of the war and the military’s success, was it a problem, in hindsight, that there was not a northern front?

Minetti: There really was a northern front. It may not have been as large as we originally thought it might need to be. But keeping the 4th Infantry Division afloat in those 30 plus ships, I think, made Saddam and his generals not sure whether they were going to come through the North or not. And it may have caused him to not redeploy some of his forces from the North to reinforce the actual movement of the coalition forces up from the South. So it may have played into the hands of the coalition and been a positive thing in the end result.

Çongar: One very quick last question, if I may. Turkey’s Deputy Joint Chief of Staff, General Saygun was here at CENTCOM recently. Could you tell me, in a few words, what is the state of the military dialogue between the U.S. and Turkey now?

Minetti: Unfortunately, I was not here. I was on temporary duty and I missed his visit. So I don’t have information on that.

Çongar: Thank you, anyway, sir. Thanks very much for your time.

Minetti: You are welcome. Nice meeting you.