IRAQ- Heart of the PKK
October 2007 – 9’25’’
00.02
We are traveling the network of secret roads within the border triangle of Iran, Iraq and Turkey. Our destination is Khandil Mountain, a PKK stronghold in Northern Iraq.
Camera moves to Medya
Our guide’s name is Medya, a German doctor from Hamburg.
00.20 hugging
We arrive in one of the PKK womens camps. Medya is well known here, she runs the PKK health care programme. Fourteen years ago she left Hamburg after discovering that German arms were being used against the Kurds. Now she is dedicated to improving their humanitarian conditions.
00.44 O..T. Medya , Medical doctor (V SLOWLY!)
"It is very important for me to create and build something solid for the Kurdish people, particularly in the health sector. The people need political, social and military protection. This counts for all Kurds and that is why I am here - to be an active part of it."
01.13 guns at the ready
Training for the frontline. These women are in the reserve. They could be called up to strengthen the front against Turkey at any time.
01.24 crouchnig
Using simple but very effective guerilla tactics they can wage an effective war against the much larger Turkish forces.
01.50 just after grenade lobbed
Aze Malazgilt has been a member of the PKK for 11 years and commands this camp.
01.58 O.T. Aze Malazgilt, Commander
"With the right tactics and fighting techniques we will win against the Turkish army. We do not have only the simple weapons you see here. No, we also have special troops which have ground to air missiles and other up-to-date weapons. We are ready for any attack."
02.20 in car
We have received a call inviting us to meet the PKKs Commander-in-Cheif Murat Karayilan in a secret location. Our phones and GPS equipment are taken from us. These are security measures needed to protect the man on the top of Turkey’s Most Wanted list.
02.47 O.T. Murat Karayilan, PKK Leader
"I tell you honestly we do not fear the Turks. They should just try to attack us. I think it is important to understand the Turks are not coming because of us, they are coming because they do not want stability in this region. This is their problem."
03.24 acrobatics
Thousands of PKK fighters are living in camps on the Turkish/Iraqi border, using Iraq as a safe haven to prepare their missions into Turkey.
03.49 O.T. Murat Karayilan
"To call us Terrorists is a big lie. We are supported by Millions of people. We are a movement with Millions of followers in the Kurdish areas of Syria, Turkey, Iran and Iraq. I think that the reason that we have been put on the so called terror list is simply due to the economic and political interest of Turkey."
04.32 into hospital
We return to visit Medya in a small hospital she runs in a remote village. She is the only doctor in this area and the villagers are in need of medical treatment. Though she has achieved much, there are still shortages everywhere.
05.09 O.T: Medya
"We are missing a lot of medical instruments like ECG; X-Ray and Laboratory equipment.
There is simply not enough medicine to go around. It is like being a rural German doctor at least 20 years ago.
05.42 move off
Back in the womans camp some of the soldiers have been moved to the front. The situation
on the border to turkey is very volatile. Medya is on alert.
05.51 O.T: Medya
" If a moment comes when I or my patients are attacked I would not hesitate to reach for my gun.
06.12
Erbil, in Northern Iraq is the capitol of Kurdistan. Here there is relative stability: no foreign troops can be seen on the road. It is a totally different picture to that in Basra or Baghdad. There is economic growth and trade is gradually increasing. But if Turkey makes good it’s invasion threats these achievements will be wasted.
06.37 change of shot
It would also affect the Turkish economy. Many Turkish companies hold monopolies in the northern Iraqi construction business.
06.57
The one and only German Beer Garden in Iraq. This is a meeting place for foreigners and Kurds
who studied and grow up in Europe. The owner Gunter Jaff enjoys working in the region.
07.15 O.T. Gunter Jaff, Pup Owner
" When you mention the word Iraq everybody is shocked because they think all Iraq is the same.
But things are definitely different here. I can move freely, I leave my front door unlocked. In fact, it is safer than Germany. Business is good here. We are supported by local government and by the local people. Of course there are problems, for example, how to get the right food for my German restaurant - they do not have pork meat so we have to change it to beef or chicken meat. But these are only minor details.
07.57 RPG -
Everyday the Turkish army tries to attack the camp on the Iraqi side, but the PKK has decades of experience.
08.06 O.T. Murat Karayilan
" I think Turkey’s greatest worry is our wish for autonomy. To oppose this they need to put the Government of Northern Iraq and therefore the US under pressure. If this fails they may well resort to force.
08.35 swing to hut
Back in the secret camps of the PKK. Medya is meeting some political leaders. She acts as health spokesperson for the PKK.
08.51 O.T. Medya
" I came with an aim, and whatever happens I will not leave until it is fulfilled. It would be wrong to live here in the easy times and leave when the days get harder. No, that is not my way."
09.12
The awaits an attack from Turkey at any time. The border is tense but after 23 years of conflict the PKK fighters are strong in their belief in a better future for their people.
Credits
Production Company
TV Works