Syria is not eager to escalate tension with Turkey

The chief editor of the Egyptian daily al-Musawar quoted a high-ranking Syrian official he met with during the recent visit of President Mubarak to Damascus as saying that against the increasing Turkish military buildup on the Turkish side along the Syrian border, which spans 700 km, there are only 1,000 men as border guards.

The Syrian official added that the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK) does not launch its attacks against Turkey from within Syrian borders and the PKK's leader, Abdullah Oclan, does not live in Damascus or in the Western Bekaa.

The Syrian official added, "Those who know his address, Oclan, they are welcomed in Damascus to see for themselves." He asked, "Why should we keep Oclan in Damascus if we seek an open dialogue with Ankara?"

Replying to a question, the Syrian official denied reports that Syria is using the Kurdish issue as a means of pressure against Turkey. He added that for several months, Turkey has been pumping more than 900 cubic meters of water to Syria, an amount which exceeds the agreed-upon quantity, which is 500 cubic meters.

This is, however, because Turkey until now has not been able to build all the dams it intends to establish in al-Anadoul heights to keep the waters of the Euphrates, he added.

The Syrian official continued that what is called as the "Kurdish issue" which makes a pressing element on the Turks "may also constitute a pressing element on us, because the establishment of Kurdish state in the northern part of Iraq will damage the interests of Syria. We have more than one million Kurds who are looking for the establishment of this new state."