Monday
Mar032008
Recent Developments in the Politics of the Kurdish Question in Turkey
Monday, March 3, 2008 at 5:15PM
Problems facing the Kurds in Turkey have gradually accelerated. The US position in this perspective is getting complicated. Kurdish cooperation in Iraq is vastly important for the US as well as Turkey’s support in the region. However, the ongoing rivalry between Turks and Kurds is becoming a major issue for US foreign policy.
The Woodrow Wilson center (WWC) held a discussion today on ‘Recent Development in the Politics of the Kurdish Question in Turkey.” the presenters were Henri Barkey, the chair of the Department of International Relations and a professor at the Lehigh University, Gokhan Centinsaya, fellow at the WWC, Aliza Marcus, author of “Blood and Belief: the PKK and the Kurdish Fight for Independence” and lastly, Nicole Watts, assistant professor at the Department of Political Science at San Francisco State University.
Gokhan Centinsaya started off presenting the audience the history of the rivalry. He mentioned the Treaty of Lausanne in 1920 and the Baghdad Pact.
Aliza Marcus talked about the foundation of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). She mentioned that the organization is still the dominant political organization amongst Turkish Kurds. According to Aliza Marcus, the PKK has the support of the majority of the Kurds in Turkey, because the Turkish government was not and still is not treating them like true citizens.
Nicole Watts continued the discussion by talking about the importance of a moderate alternative for the PKK to work for the people without any terrorist acts. This moderate alternative should emphasize firstly, the linguistic and cultural rights of the people and secondly, distance itself from the PKK and act independently. DTP, Democratic Society Party, is an example of a moderate alternative, however party’s leadership has proven itself to be weak.
The presentation from the speakers came to its end by a concluding remark from Henri Barkey. He mentioned the recent clash backs in northern Iraq and defined it as a political move from Turkey’s side rather than military.
The Woodrow Wilson center (WWC) held a discussion today on ‘Recent Development in the Politics of the Kurdish Question in Turkey.” the presenters were Henri Barkey, the chair of the Department of International Relations and a professor at the Lehigh University, Gokhan Centinsaya, fellow at the WWC, Aliza Marcus, author of “Blood and Belief: the PKK and the Kurdish Fight for Independence” and lastly, Nicole Watts, assistant professor at the Department of Political Science at San Francisco State University.
Gokhan Centinsaya started off presenting the audience the history of the rivalry. He mentioned the Treaty of Lausanne in 1920 and the Baghdad Pact.
Aliza Marcus talked about the foundation of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). She mentioned that the organization is still the dominant political organization amongst Turkish Kurds. According to Aliza Marcus, the PKK has the support of the majority of the Kurds in Turkey, because the Turkish government was not and still is not treating them like true citizens.
Nicole Watts continued the discussion by talking about the importance of a moderate alternative for the PKK to work for the people without any terrorist acts. This moderate alternative should emphasize firstly, the linguistic and cultural rights of the people and secondly, distance itself from the PKK and act independently. DTP, Democratic Society Party, is an example of a moderate alternative, however party’s leadership has proven itself to be weak.
The presentation from the speakers came to its end by a concluding remark from Henri Barkey. He mentioned the recent clash backs in northern Iraq and defined it as a political move from Turkey’s side rather than military.
President of Kurdistan: The terrorists have weakened and are losing ground
President Barzani stated that his visit comes at a critical time, not only for the United States but for the entire world because the new president of the United States impacts the world. President Barzani said that his visit is intended to express his gratitude to the United States for their assistance in getting Iraq out of a dictatorship.
“A great opportunity has come to Iraq. An opportunity to have democracy and a free state but there are challenges ahead,” President Barzani said. He stated that the role of the Kurds is important and that they have shed blood fighting along side the United States. “The Kurds will continue to play a positive role to have a federal democratic state in Iraq,” President Barzani said.
He further stated that Kurdistan will stay committed and determined to make sure terrorists aren’t able to find foot ground in Iraq. He wants to make sure that Kurdistan maintains good relations with their neighbors. “ A lot of good meetings have happened with Turkey and Iran and we hope it continues for the sake of everyones freedom,” President Barzani said.
President Barzani assured that there is a current agreement being drafted between Iraqi officials and the United States. He said that the agreement has a timetable for withdrawal of troops in 2011 and that this agreement is better then any agreement that has been made in the past. “Fortunately the terrorists have not been able to gain a base in our region. If we look at the situation now, the terrorists have been weakened and are losing ground. If we do not continue on the successes we have had, there is always a chance of them gaining strength again,” President Barzani concluded.