Middle East Politics.Net » PKK http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 More Turmoil in Turkey’s South East http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/05/more-turmoil-in-the-south-east-region/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/05/more-turmoil-in-the-south-east-region/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:45:24 +0000 cicek http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3683 It is not unusual to read about, at least once a week, the turmoil going on in the South East region of Turkey. I also do not think it is unusual for many other places. The SE region has been a place of major conflict since the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the intentions of western states have not been much help at that time. We are experiencing the effects of decisions made for us many years ago, without our consent, might I add.

This morning, while reading the newspaper, Hurriyet, I have come across yet another article that concentrates on the military and terrorism issues, especially the PKK. “Turkish army said it neutralized 17 terrorists, including three dead, during the operations held in last week. It also said that it will organize a trip for journalists to the military posts in the southeastern regions.”

As I have implied above, it is not a fact that brings the surprise element to mind. We have struggled and will struggle along the borders of this region, in order to protect the territorial integrity, and to some extent national identity. As long as these terrorist organizations continue with their unreasonable requests concerning parts of Turkey, the solution to this situation cannot be revealed. Not that I think there is one clear cut solution.

Aylin Cicek

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/05/more-turmoil-in-the-south-east-region/feed/ 0 Turkish President To Address Deputies in Opening Speech http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/02/president-abdullah-gul-will-address-deputies-in-his-opening-speech/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/02/president-abdullah-gul-will-address-deputies-in-his-opening-speech/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:38:27 +0000 hazzout http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1140 The Turkish Parliament is set to return from summer recess and resume working on the yearly agenda. President Abdullah Gül is expected to address the deputies of both the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and the Republican Party (CHP), urging the leaders to work together on implementing the National Program and passing European-Union inspired reforms.

The leaders of both the Nationalist and Republican parties did not approve of the appointment of Ali Babacan to the position of Foreign Minister for consultations over the National Program. The National Program is a document that spells out the country’s reform program and a timetable to complete all the chapters, in order to be completely aligned with the EU Acquis. The adoption of the document could be an excellent opportunity for the Turkish to display to the European bloc signs of progress before the annual report of the European Commission in November. This would be especially advantageous to the Turkish, as so far, negotiations to pass most of the chapter reforms of the document have been frozen due to the contentious issue of Cyprus.

The President has previously emphasized the importance of Turkey showing the will to proactively open and close these document chapters and the necessity of consensus between the deputies, as 2 or 3 refusals from deputies is enough to reject legislation in the Parliament.

On a different note, the Turkish Parliament will also vote on extending authorization for another year to the military to conduct cross-border operations in Northern Iraq, to quell terrorist activity of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The current authorization is set to expire on October 17th.

Adam Hazzout

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