NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/12/turkey.ceasefire.ap/index.html

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Kurdish separatist rebels Tuesday declared a "unilateral cease-fire" in attacks against Turkey and said they were ready for peace negotiations, but the group maintained the right to defend itself.

The statement came as the Turkish military intensified operations against the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party, known as the PKK, in the country's southeast, at the border with Iraq.

The guerrillas have been fighting for autonomy in Turkey for more than two decades.

"We are renewing our declaration to halt attacks against the Turkish army," Abdul Rahman Chaderchi, the PKK official in charge of foreign affairs, said in northern Iraq, where the rebels have several bases.

"We want peace and we are ready for negotiations. But if Turkey decides to attack our bases inside Turkey or inside Iraqi Kurdistan, then this unilateral cease-fire will be meaningless. If we are attacked, we will fight back and we have the ability to confront any Turkish aggression," he added.

Turkish troops have massed at the frontier and shelled Iraqi territory while pursuing rebels, drawing criticism from the Iraqi government and raising fears that the conflict could draw in its NATO ally, the United States.

The Turkish government had no immediate response to the PKK statement.

Authorities generally ignore rebel statements, ruling out negotiations with "terrorists." Turkey has rejected several past cease-fires declared by the group, vowing to maintain its military drive until all rebels surrender or are killed.

It was unclear if the PKK announcement reflected a desire to ease pressure from the Turkish armed forces, or was a public relations effort to portray the rebels as peace-seeking, and the military as the aggressor.

The rebels might also want to give Kurdish candidates in Turkish parliamentary elections next month a chance to make gains at the polls without being accused of links to rebel violence.

The PKK has accused the Turkish military of engineering the collapse of a unilateral rebel cease-fire declared on Oct. 1, 2006.

Turkey's prime minister said Tuesday that the country needs to focus on fighting the PKK inside its borders amid a debate over whether Turkey should pursue rebels into northern Iraq.

"There are 500 terrorists in Iraq; there are 5,000 terrorists inside Turkey. Has terrorism inside Turkey ended for us to think about an operation in northern Iraq?" Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters.

Later Tuesday, Erdogan chaired a two-hour security meeting to discuss measures against the rebels. Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, chief of the military, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Interior Minister Osman Gunes and other top generals attended the meeting.

"As always, the struggle against terrorism will be carried out with respect to democracy and law but with great determination," the leaders said in a statement after the meeting. "The threat directed against our country will be overcome."

Rebels of the PKK have bases in the mountainous north of Iraq.

Turkey's army chief has said an incursion into northern Iraq is necessary, but said he needed political approval to act. The government pledged to hunt down rebels, but Erdogan has not called for the parliamentary approval required for a cross-border operation.

PKK guerrillas took up arms in 1984, and tens of thousand of people have died in the conflict. The United States and European Union brand the PKK a terrorist organization.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, in Turkey on Tuesday, said the alliance hoped Turkey's conflict with the PKK could be resolved "with the maximum of restraint."



Sounds like political BS on the part of the terrorists. But if there is even a chance that a cease fire can be negotiated between the Kurds and Turkey, it definitely warrants pursuit. Who knows--maybe, if the terrorists are serious, if Turkey agrees to negotiate, and the negotiations don't collapse like the negotiations between the US and the insurgency in Iraq did, all of which are unlikely conditions, we might see some semblance of peace in the region.

I think they're doing this for the sake of the Iraqi Kurds.

They'd rather have at least one Kurdistan free instead of North Iraq becoming occupied by Turkey.

You know
Visiting Youtube I've noticed how much the Kurds and the Turks hate each other.

In fact the Palestineans get along with the Israelis there better than the Kurds and Turks.

That's pretty bad.

Visiting Youtube I've noticed how much the Kurds and the Turks hate each other.

You ought to look at some Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian video's. All the comments are filled with hateful vitriol about the civil wars. Who commited atrocities, how many were killed, denials of said atrocities, purport other atrocities, rinse and repeat.

To the OP, I believe that the Kurds are actually being sincere with this cease-fire proposal. With all the recent Turk/Iraq border activity, the world just seems to be waiting for the Turks to stroll across the border.

You ought to look at some Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian video's. All the comments are filled with hateful vitriol about the civil wars. Who commited atrocities, how many were killed, denials of said atrocities, purport other atrocities, rinse and repeat. Yes forgot that, I need to look at it more.

What I want to know is did Cease Fire answer the phone, or is he not speaking to Kurdish Terrorists these days?

Kurdistan Workers' Party? Are they like a socialist group or something?

I think they're doing this for the sake of the Iraqi Kurds.

They'd rather have at least one Kurdistan free instead of North Iraq becoming occupied by Turkey.

You know
Visiting Youtube I've noticed how much the Kurds and the Turks hate each other.

In fact the Palestineans get along with the Israelis there better than the Kurds and Turks.

That's pretty bad.I met a college student from Armenia.. he invited me to an Armenian marriage.. they hate the kurds with a passion.

I guess the Turks are no choir boys.

Kurdistan Workers' Party? Are they like a socialist group or something?

leninist. but still, free ocalan!

Sounds like political BS on the part of the terrorists. But if there is even a chance that a cease fire can be negotiated between the Kurds and Turkey, it definitely warrants pursuit. Who knows--maybe, if the terrorists are serious, if Turkey agrees to negotiate, and the negotiations don't collapse like the negotiations between the US and the insurgency in Iraq did, all of which are unlikely conditions, we might see some semblance of peace in the region.

1.Kurds have been compelled to use also terroristic warfare because they are denied (since about 90 years) of their own land, as Kurdistan was estabilished by the Society of Nations shortly after WW1.

2.The Turkish Army and most of Turkish society have always been quite supportive of extreme measures against the Kurds (like the Ottoman did against Serbs, Albanians, Armenians etc etc), INCLUDING resort to terroristic warfare - air strikes and artillery bombings of the refugee camps. By the way, they also bombed the iraqi kurds who tried to escape Saddam's massacres by crossing the border with Turkey. Oh, I forgot, back then Saddam was a good guy and a staunch ally of the West. The only bordering country who helped and accepted the kurdish refugees was Iran.

So, since none of the two parts involved in the war (yes, war!) is totally innocent, I'd say that the better thing is to go back to what was decided 90 years ago: estabilish Kurdistan as an independent state, under the protection of UN, with a joint peace-keeping force of Europe and NATO.

leninist. but still, free ocalan!

Hail to these guys then, kurdish workers, you have nothing to loose but your chains!

Sounds like political BS on the part of the terrorists.

nah, the BS is on u mate=p seeing as the Turks are scared to hell of an independent Kurdistan, and seeing as they tried to completely wipe out the Kurds, as they did with the Armenians, it's only fair that the faggots withdraw and allow an independent Kurdistan to be re-setup... The terrorists in that region are the Turks and no one but the Turks... the Kurds aren't saints ofc, bt seeing as they were attacked, i find complete justice in their struggle to defend themselves against an agressor... still, i believe than no matter how small a chance for peace there is [and the failure won't be due to the Kurds bt due to the Turkish government, they cannot afford an independent Kurdistan, as Turkey would go down the drain (and i totally believe they deserve it)], it should be pursued....

1.Kurds have been compelled to use also terroristic warfare because they are denied (since about 90 years) of their own land, as Kurdistan was estabilished by the Society of Nations shortly after WW1.

2.The Turkish Army and most of Turkish society have always been quite supportive of extreme measures against the Kurds (like the Ottoman did against Serbs, Albanians, Armenians etc etc), INCLUDING resort to terroristic warfare - air strikes and artillery bombings of the refugee camps. By the way, they also bombed the iraqi kurds who tried to escape Saddam's massacres by crossing the border with Turkey. Oh, I forgot, back then Saddam was a good guy and a staunch ally of the West. The only bordering country who helped and accepted the kurdish refugees was Iran.

Believe it or not I do have a basic understanding of the issue. I'm no supporter of Turkey's policies and their repression of the Kurdish culture. But from a practical perspective, an independent Kurdistan is a bad idea, because it would stir the wrath of Turkey. I think that peace is more important than reclaiming past lands (which is why I support Israel over Hezbollah, Hamas and the like). You'll see the same problems that currently exist between Palestine and Israel; between Pakistan and India. Ultimately the Kurds will grow tired and will elect a terrorist organization like the PKK into power, much like Palestine elected Hamas.

Turkey is not acting in the best interests of peace, and neither are the seperatists (who are certifiable terrorists, for better or for worse: they use violence and murder to achieve political ends). Both sides have a duty to negotiate. Turkey needs to respect Kurdish human rights; the PKK needs to be dissolved. The U.S. and UN might not be wrong in putting economic pressure on the Turkish government.

The terrorists in that region are the Turks and no one but the Turks

Um, sorry, but you're pretty much wrong.

Believe it or not I do have a basic understanding of the issue. I'm no supporter of Turkey's policies and their repression of the Kurdish culture. But from a practical perspective, an independent Kurdistan is a bad idea, because it would stir the wrath of Turkey.

I can't believe what I'm reading... So according to you Mr. Basic Understanding (dung-for-brains), the Kurd's shouldn't fight back to regain their homeland, because the f-ing Turks would get wrathfull?? Man, you are a MORON!! So if an invader [and that's what the Turks are, at least to a sane person] don't like you reclaiming your OWN land back, you shouldn't so that they wouldn't get angry??? I fail to see a single shred of logic in your reasoning!! The matter is simple: that land belongs to the Kurds, and as such the Turks should get the hell outta there asap, and I don't care how angry the faggots get!! It's called common f-ing sense, and it is supported by a little thing called international law and justice...

(who are certifiable terrorists, for better or for worse: they use violence and murder to achieve political ends).
Well, Mr. Wiseass, newsflash for you: SO DO THE TURKS!!! and compared to each other, the Kurds look like tree-hugging pacifists!! Have you even bothered to look up all the events sparked by Turkish violence?? Let's see: Invasion of Greece, Invasion of Asia Minor, Armenian Genocide, Invasion of Cyprus, Destruction of Kurdistan... all against international law, and omg!! they don't look like the actions of non-terrorists!!

So, all in all: "Um, sorry, but you're VERY much wrong."

I can't believe what I'm reading... So according to you Mr. Basic Understanding (dung-for-brains), the Kurd's shouldn't fight back to regain their homeland, because the f-ing Turks would get wrathfull?? Man, you are a MORON!! So if an invader [and that's what the Turks are, at least to a sane person] don't like you reclaiming your OWN land back, you shouldn't so that they wouldn't get angry??? I fail to see a single shred of logic in your reasoning!! The matter is simple: that land belongs to the Kurds, and as such the Turks should get the hell outta there asap, and I don't care how angry the faggots get!! It's called common f-ing sense, and it is supported by a little thing called international law and justice...

Firstly, I can let you know that you aren't going to receive a warm welcome on these forums if you continue this drivel. Random swearing is for politicians, not serious debaters.

The Turks have indeed violated international law. So did Saddam Hussein on numerous occasions, but it was still a bad idea to invade Iraq. If we pick a fight we every country that did so, the Earth would be a slaughterhouse.

Well, Mr. Wiseass, newsflash for you: SO DO THE TURKS!!! and compared to each other, the Kurds look like tree-hugging pacifists!! Have you even bothered to look up all the events sparked by Turkish violence?? Let's see: Invasion of Greece, Invasion of Asia Minor, Armenian Genocide, Invasion of Cyprus, Destruction of Kurdistan... all against international law, and omg!! they don't look like the actions of non-terrorists!!


Of course the Turks are terrorists. But so are the PKK, at least as recognized by the U.S. and the European Union. The wars you cited occurred decades ago; this war is happening right now.

I think you are missing the entire point. I don't support EITHER side, and neither should any responsible person. In time, an independent Kurdistan should exist, but only after the current war is resolved.

The Turks have indeed violated international law. So did Saddam Hussein on numerous occasions, but it was still a bad idea to invade Iraq. If we pick a fight we every country that did so, the Earth would be a slaughterhouse.

I do not by any means condone the behaviour of either side. However, the Turks invaded an independent Kurdistan and simply wiped it from the map. And they do not recognise it as an illegal action. Whereas the Americans, while making a right pig's ear out of Iraq, have at least admitted that they f-ed things up [well, at least some of the more logical ones ;p]. I didn't say that Turkey deserves what she is getting [and really she should be getting more] cz of violation of international law, but rather for denying the Kurds their inalienable right to have a country of their own.


Of course the Turks are terrorists. But so are the PKK, at least as recognized by the U.S. and the European Union. The wars you cited occurred decades ago; this war is happening right now.
So, because they happenned decades ago, they don't matter? Dude, i'm a Cypriot, half my country is being occupied by those bastards, and u'r telling me that because they invaded in 1974 it doesn't matter? Has your country ever been invaded and occupied? If not, u have no right saying anything about how long ago the aggressions happenned... Try telling an Armenian that about the Armenian Genocide... And btw, if u'r expecting the U.S. [the greatest terrorists by my standards] to recognise Turkey as terrorists, u'r in for a LONG wait... Turkey was, is and will be the Americans' lapdog, and as for the EU, Britain will never allow Turkey to be labelled as terrorists...


I think you are missing the entire point. I don't support EITHER side, and neither should any responsible person. In time, an independent Kurdistan should exist, but only after the current war is resolved.
Here we at last agree on smth:p while i do not support either side, i at least condone the actions of the Kurds, cz if u have noticed, they kill Turkish soldiers rather than anyone they find in front of them.. I consider their actions to be resistance against an occupier... And seeing as that occupier deprived them of a homeland, arrested and executed their leader for no good reason, well, I tend to find some sort of justification of their actions..

These constant calls for 'cease fire' remind me of childhood with my brother, who beat me for random reasons now and again though mainly because I'd wait for an opportunity, smack him one as hard as I could then run away calling 'Quits, quits, no returns' only to be surprised when he completely ignored the Golden Rule of Childhood and beat me again, despite having called 'quits'.

Hard to say who started it all but it stopped when we grew up, mostly.

These people need to grow up a little.

*smacks brother, runs*