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SHOWDOWN FOR ATATURK'S REPUBLIC
By Slater Bakhtavar
NewsBlaze, CA
http://newsblaze.com/story/20071114223444nnnn.n b/newsblaze/OPINIONS/Opinions.html
Nov 15 2007
"A nation which makes the final sacrifice for life and freedom does not
get beaten." Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey.
In early October, members of the separatist Kurdish Workers' Party
("PKK") stationed in northern Iraq, instigated a clandestine military
attack, which led to twelve casualties. This attack is a minuscule
part of a spate of intensified attacks by the Kurdish Workers' Party.
The Kurdish' Workers' Party, whose agenda includes the autonomy of
Turkey's southeast region and an end to Turkish assimilation, have
infiltrated segments of northern Iraq and Turkey. Their ferocious
tactics include, but are not limited to kidnappings, beheadings,
tactical bombing, and pillaging. This month alone, the Kurds have
racked up a body count of 42 Turks and kidnapped eight others. In
just twenty years, the organization, which is designated a "terrorist
organization" by the United States and Europe, has murdered over
30,000 people.
Feeding on rampant sectarian violence in Iraq, the PKK have intensified
their militaristic approach. Contrary to their glorified public
relations campaign, the PKK is not a heroic counter-interventionist
movement. PKK's Marxist ideology and treacherous brutality is
an aberration in a society recognized for its tolerance. Turkey's
ethnic Kurds, the majority of who recently voted for the Justice and
Development Party, oppose PKK's agenda. The Kurdish people recognize
that the guerrilla escapades have promoted regional and international
political upheaval. Once, isolated and prone to factionalism,
the guerrilla movement is on the rise due to the dire situation in
northern Iraq.
The Turkish government, which believes Turkish citizens should have
no loyalty outside of the state, has responded. On October 17th, the
Turkish parliament voted 507-19 to authorize cross-border raids into
northern Iraq to root out the PKK. Turkish General Yasar Buyukanit
angrily touted, "We are determined to make those who cause this sadness
grieve with an intensity that they cannot imagine," Prime Minister
Erdogen, leader of the moderate Islamic Development Party said "Turkey
shall not be intimidated." Turkey recently massed over 100,000 troops
on the border with Iraq backed up by tanks, artillery, warplanes and
helicopters. Turkish jet fighters and helicopters pounded suspected
rebel hideouts in Turkey and northern Iraq, strategic maneuvers
condemned by U.S. and Iraqi governments. The U.S. and Iraqi government
fear that Turkish intervention could destabilize a moderately tranquil
segment of the volatile region.
The two nations believe Turkish military intervention may deepen
tension between diverse ethnic groups in the region, deteriorate
loose coalitions and trigger a sharp increase in global oil prices.
Neighboring Iran and Syria, which are both home to substantial Kurdish
minorities, may be pressured to intervene. Even minimal ethnic friction
in Iran, a predominately ethnic Persian nation, may escalate the
fragile region. But the United States must balance its desire for
regional stability with steadfast support for and cooperation with
the Turkish government.
Turkey chastised the US-led invasion in Iraq, but it subsequently
provided vital strategic airbases for U.S. flights into Iraq
and Afghanistan. Turkey, a secular Republic with fragments of
institutionalized democracy and constitutionally protected rights is a
natural ally of the United States. But the once-friendly relationship
between the U.S. and Turkey has waned due recent U.S. political
maneuvers seen as threatening to Turkey's national sovereignty. Turkey,
once a proud US ally with a populace generally supportive of the United
States, is now one of the least America friendly nations in the world,
this according to a recent Pew Research Center poll.
The Turkish public islargely opposed the US government's unilateral
decision-making in the Middle East, including the Kurdish quandary. A
recent counterproductive resolution by the US congressional committee
condemning the Ottoman Empire for genocide against the Armenians over
ninety years ago further agitated the Turkish public sentiment.
Detrimental and untimely decisions, such as these, undermine our
long-term interests in the middle-east.
Besides an array of rhetorical assurances, the U.S. government, has
done little to pressure provincial, regional and national Kurdish
political heavyweights. Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan
Regional Government in Iraq, must be confronted by the U.S. and the
central Iraqi government. To its credit, the Iraqi government recently
announced it will set up checkpoints to restrict the PKK's movement
and cut their supply lines to their mountainous hideouts.
Military reports that the U.S. is supplying the Turkish government
with PKK hideout locations is a constructive political maneuver. But
the United States must do more to provide channels of cooperation
and mutual understanding between the Turks and Americans.
Enthusiastically supporting the Turkish government's justified campaign
against the Marxist-terrorist organization may help mend bridges as
well as ensure victory for a progressive democratic Middle East.
Slater Bakhtavar is president and founder of Republican Youth of
America, a frequent commentator and respected analyst on foreign
policy issues, and an attorney with a post-doctoral degree in
International law.
By Slater Bakhtavar
NewsBlaze, CA
http://newsblaze.com/story/20071114223444nnnn.n b/newsblaze/OPINIONS/Opinions.html
Nov 15 2007
"A nation which makes the final sacrifice for life and freedom does not
get beaten." Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey.
In early October, members of the separatist Kurdish Workers' Party
("PKK") stationed in northern Iraq, instigated a clandestine military
attack, which led to twelve casualties. This attack is a minuscule
part of a spate of intensified attacks by the Kurdish Workers' Party.
The Kurdish' Workers' Party, whose agenda includes the autonomy of
Turkey's southeast region and an end to Turkish assimilation, have
infiltrated segments of northern Iraq and Turkey. Their ferocious
tactics include, but are not limited to kidnappings, beheadings,
tactical bombing, and pillaging. This month alone, the Kurds have
racked up a body count of 42 Turks and kidnapped eight others. In
just twenty years, the organization, which is designated a "terrorist
organization" by the United States and Europe, has murdered over
30,000 people.
Feeding on rampant sectarian violence in Iraq, the PKK have intensified
their militaristic approach. Contrary to their glorified public
relations campaign, the PKK is not a heroic counter-interventionist
movement. PKK's Marxist ideology and treacherous brutality is
an aberration in a society recognized for its tolerance. Turkey's
ethnic Kurds, the majority of who recently voted for the Justice and
Development Party, oppose PKK's agenda. The Kurdish people recognize
that the guerrilla escapades have promoted regional and international
political upheaval. Once, isolated and prone to factionalism,
the guerrilla movement is on the rise due to the dire situation in
northern Iraq.
The Turkish government, which believes Turkish citizens should have
no loyalty outside of the state, has responded. On October 17th, the
Turkish parliament voted 507-19 to authorize cross-border raids into
northern Iraq to root out the PKK. Turkish General Yasar Buyukanit
angrily touted, "We are determined to make those who cause this sadness
grieve with an intensity that they cannot imagine," Prime Minister
Erdogen, leader of the moderate Islamic Development Party said "Turkey
shall not be intimidated." Turkey recently massed over 100,000 troops
on the border with Iraq backed up by tanks, artillery, warplanes and
helicopters. Turkish jet fighters and helicopters pounded suspected
rebel hideouts in Turkey and northern Iraq, strategic maneuvers
condemned by U.S. and Iraqi governments. The U.S. and Iraqi government
fear that Turkish intervention could destabilize a moderately tranquil
segment of the volatile region.
The two nations believe Turkish military intervention may deepen
tension between diverse ethnic groups in the region, deteriorate
loose coalitions and trigger a sharp increase in global oil prices.
Neighboring Iran and Syria, which are both home to substantial Kurdish
minorities, may be pressured to intervene. Even minimal ethnic friction
in Iran, a predominately ethnic Persian nation, may escalate the
fragile region. But the United States must balance its desire for
regional stability with steadfast support for and cooperation with
the Turkish government.
Turkey chastised the US-led invasion in Iraq, but it subsequently
provided vital strategic airbases for U.S. flights into Iraq
and Afghanistan. Turkey, a secular Republic with fragments of
institutionalized democracy and constitutionally protected rights is a
natural ally of the United States. But the once-friendly relationship
between the U.S. and Turkey has waned due recent U.S. political
maneuvers seen as threatening to Turkey's national sovereignty. Turkey,
once a proud US ally with a populace generally supportive of the United
States, is now one of the least America friendly nations in the world,
this according to a recent Pew Research Center poll.
The Turkish public islargely opposed the US government's unilateral
decision-making in the Middle East, including the Kurdish quandary. A
recent counterproductive resolution by the US congressional committee
condemning the Ottoman Empire for genocide against the Armenians over
ninety years ago further agitated the Turkish public sentiment.
Detrimental and untimely decisions, such as these, undermine our
long-term interests in the middle-east.
Besides an array of rhetorical assurances, the U.S. government, has
done little to pressure provincial, regional and national Kurdish
political heavyweights. Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan
Regional Government in Iraq, must be confronted by the U.S. and the
central Iraqi government. To its credit, the Iraqi government recently
announced it will set up checkpoints to restrict the PKK's movement
and cut their supply lines to their mountainous hideouts.
Military reports that the U.S. is supplying the Turkish government
with PKK hideout locations is a constructive political maneuver. But
the United States must do more to provide channels of cooperation
and mutual understanding between the Turks and Americans.
Enthusiastically supporting the Turkish government's justified campaign
against the Marxist-terrorist organization may help mend bridges as
well as ensure victory for a progressive democratic Middle East.
Slater Bakhtavar is president and founder of Republican Youth of
America, a frequent commentator and respected analyst on foreign
policy issues, and an attorney with a post-doctoral degree in
International law.