BM'deki Türkiye Daimi Temsilcisinin 2 eki m 2019 tarihli mektubu

United Nations S/2019/791 Security Council

 Distr.: General 4 October 2019 Original: English 19-17091 (E) 071019 *1917091*

Letter dated 2 October 2019 from the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

With regard to the letter from Mohammed Hussein Bahr Aluloom, Permanent Representative of Iraq, dated 5 September 2019 and issued under the symbol S/2019/720, I would like to draw your attention to the following:

For many years, some parts of the Iraqi territory have been a safe haven for terrorist organizations, including PKK, Deash and Al-Qaida.

Since then, terrorists have used Iraqi land to recruit and train militants, generate financial resources and launch systematic cross-border attacks on Turkey. That continues to be the case.

As enshrined in relevant Security Council resolutions, it is the responsibility of States Members of the United Nations to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and to deny terrorist groups the ability to use their territory as safe havens. The elimination of PKK and other terrorist organizations’ presence and operations within its borders is the obligation of the Government of Iraq, also under the Iraqi Constitution. In fact, this is the only way Iraq can establish and exercise its sovereignty fully over its territory.

It is against this background that Turkey exercises its inherent right of selfdefence, as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and takes appropriate measures within the context of the responsibility attributed by relevant Security Council resolutions to States Members of the United Nations in the fight against terrorism. Any measure taken by Turkey in this effort is in compliance with its obligations under international law.

Turkey will continue to take all the necessary steps in accordance with international law to protect its people from terrorist threats and attacks. Turkey expects the Government of Iraq to expand its sovereignty all over its territory and strengthen its fight against terrorism.

As a staunch supporter of the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, Turkey will continue to stand by the Iraqi Government as it intensifies its measures to prevent and suppress terrorist acts and eliminate terrorist presence in its territory.

I would be grateful if the present letter could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.