http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/24/wturkey124.xml
After bring up the discussion in class on Friday about Turkey crossing the Iraqi border I figured I could look up to see if there was any information for the class. In this article I found it. I found out that Kurdish separatists are threatening a new campaign of violence against Turkish cities as the country's army pressed on with its latest offensive against guerrilla positions in northern Iraq. The PKK, or Kurdistan Workers Party, vowed to "move the theatre of combat to the heart of Turkish cities" unless Ankara ends the military campaign, which began on Thursday. in the article it said, "The rebel group is believed to have numerous "sleepers" within Kurdish communities in cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, who are primed to carry out bomb attacks on military and government targets. Unleashing them, however, could raise tensions with the Turkish majority and lead to reprisals against Kurds." Even with the possiblity of the increase of tension the US is backing Turkey as long as it goes after PKK known members. I think that this could cause major problems in the Middle East, more then there already is. This problem needs to be solved soon, because these terrorist could have a possiblity of creating nuclear war. I hope you like the article let me know what you think.
Austin Conners
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5 comments:
I honestly think that Turkey is justified in its continued offensives against the PKK. While they want their own state, terrorism should not be tolerated as a method to bring about this end. Diplomatic discourse should be encouraged by Kurds who are not members of the PKK. Sleeper cells should not intimidate the Turkish government. They have been dealing with terrorism from the PKK in southern Turkey and northern Iraq for years now. Placating the PKK will only encourage them.
Yes, solving the problem would be nice... but how exactly? I think the PKK wants to provoke a brutal response from the Turks. If they can succeed in getting them to drop a heavy foot, they will hope to garner support at home and abroad. Of course, if you don't go and crush them they will still operate. It's so tricky. In the long run, I think Turkey can't fully invade northern Iraq and try and get them, as that will provoke too much a response both from the Kurds and from us. But what do you do? Wait for them to bomb you? Give into intimidation? Very tricky indeed.
Solutions? Not any time soon...I don't see the threat from the PKK going away any time soon nor the conflict between the Kurdistan Workers Party and Turkey ending soon, however desirable such an outcome might be. On a brighter note, despite continued activity in the past the PKK remains a rogue element within the Kurdish population.
Turkish incursions into northern Iraq may be perceived as a threat to Iraq's sovereignty, but it appears that many such threats currently exist throughout the country (US and British forces could be viewed under this light)so the Iraqi government may not concern itself with those issues until far into the future.
I found a Reuters video news report concerning the clashes: Link
I think if we were in a situation like Turkey we would take action and defend ourselves. Can't say I blame Turkey but that doesn't mean I'm happy with it. Northern Iraq has been relatively stable compared to the country as a whole. These clashes hinder our efforts elsewhere. Maybe the situation will allow the Iraqi government to step up and take the lead to stopping the fighting.
One addition: The US getting involved between the Kurds and Turkey will likely cause problems since both are considered allies in the WOT.
~ Greg
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