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Although there isn’t reliable census about specific population data that is based on ethnicity, according to several resources, 12-15 million Kurds live in Turkey.[1] The southeastern of Turkey is generally populated by the Kurds. Till 1991 in Turkey, Kurdish reality was not recognized especially by State and State’s organs[2] because of various nationalist ideas or paranoias. Today, arguments which are concerned with Kurds or Kurdish Question are in agenda of Turkey.
The reasons of Kurt question are not only nationalist movements which are based on ethnicity or the denial of ethnic identity.[3] Actually, the problem is based on generally socio-economic reasons and violation of the fundamental rights of the people. The restriction of the use of Kurdish language, the denial of Kurdish identity and in term of socio-economic underdeveloped regions which are mainly Kurdish, are explained as basic reasons of Kurd Question. Kurd Question is at same time a fact of Turkey and Turkey’s democracy, law, and human rights problem. Especially, the violation of universal basic rights of human and democracy process brings a different dimension to existing condition: international dimension. Till the end of 1990s, serious prohibits and aggressive applications which are considered with the protection of centralized nation state structure, caused to lose prestige for Republic of Turkey in both internal policy and international relations. In addition to internal problems, some focuses used this case effective with various studies and lobby activities against Republic of Turkey in abroad for their interests; and a bad prejudice occurred in the public opinion worldwide about Turkey. Actually, being worse, “PKK” (Kurdistan Workers Party) emerged as a terrorist organization and the so-called as representation and continuation of Kurd Question. Pkk used Kurd and Kurd Question (However, to say that Pkk is completely originated from Kurd Question is discussable). Even today, Pkk maintains to become serious problem both internal and external policy for Turkey. Although “Pkk” (Kurdistan Workers Party) is accepted as a Terrorist Organization by European Union, USA or many of countries, even its existence is able to disturb Turkey in foreign policy. In 1990s Turkey’s troublesome relations with Iran and Syria can be shown an example. Especially, “The water problem” with Syria; with Iran, the claims of Turkey’s support to opponents of regime against Islamic Republic in Iran caused the using of Pkk against Turkey by these countries.[4] Pkk established military bases in Northern Iraq and had a safe haven for its rebels in Syria.[5] Especially, serious diplomatic crisis occurred with Syria. Question in International Dimension Kurd question generally transforms into different dimension between European Union and Turkey relationship. Generally, Kurd question is called as violation of the fundamental rights of individual, the universal basic rights of human: To speak in motherlanguage, to identity himself/herself freely, to live his/her culture.[6] We can enlarge this list. These issues which are taken to agenda so often by European Union can be seen as a problem in negotiation process of European Union- Turkey by nationalist or the others. However, although these issues can be seen serious problem for Turkey within EU relations, these issues are a fact of Turkey and are handicap for Turkey not in only foreign policy, are in every area. We know that European Union puts pressure on Turkey to reform aimed at the progress of human rights in negotiation process and before.Turkey’s actions to suppress Kurdish opposition complicate its bid for membership in European Union. Human rights issues constitute the primary public rationale for European resistance to Turkey’s acceptance.[7] Kurd question of Turkey was used again and again by some of the countries. Especially, the countries which have any problem that is concerned with Turkey, used and still use this problem effectively against Turkey with any excuses. Pkk institutionalized in social area under different names, made its propaganda against Republic of Turkey, and its militants could take refuge in some of countries of European Union as political refugee.[8] When Turkey was not able to tell itself and its main problem, PKK provided an international dimension to Kurd Question aimed at its own interests. Turkey was accused of using of violence aimed at civilians and violating human rights.[9] Pkk utilized well Turkey’s mistakes on Kurd Question. From 1980s on, Turkey retorted to Pkk’s violence actions. Through occurred violence environment, Pkk took the politic and military support by some force; and strengthened more. Not ending the skirmishes and over 30.000 people death damaged Republic of Turkey’s prestige. Some national parliaments took decisions against Turkey.[10] Turkey who wanted to suppress terrorists, spent seriously for military reinforcement. Almost every year, Turkey’s effort suppress the terrorists are estimated to cost Turkey about 3 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).[11] In this time, some of member states of European Union, especially Germany did not sell arms to Turkey because of using of arms against PKK.[12] With fall of Saddam Huseyin and occupation of Iraq by USA caused important changes as conjectural in all Middle East. Especially for Iran and Syria which used Kurd as trump against Republic of Turkey in their international relations. Because of Kurds in Northern Iraq who improves relations with USA, also they began to live a Kurdish Question or worry their own securities. Turkey is not happy due to strengthening Kurd groups in Northern Iraq. Turkey has worry a Kurdish State that can be established in Northern Iraq. A possible Kurdish State may lead the rise of nationalist divider movements in Turkey and Kurdistan which also includes the lands of Republic of Turkey; that is not ethnically, officially (Kurdistan region means the part of southeastern of Turkey as an ethnic concept). Turkey doesn’t try to set up politically relations with Kurd groups directly. To say that Turkey follows a sensitive policy is possible against Kurd group in Northern Iraq. There is a fact that Turkey is more experienced any more and Turkey is aware of that nationalist Kurdish movements can increase; and knows What aggressive attitudes and populist comments can lead. So, although all provoker comments or attitudes, Turkey applies dialogue opposition and compromiser attitude. Turkey did not give the environment that is desired by Pkk. Turkey can show its authority and that Pkk uses Kurd Question but it or the other Kurdish groups are not solution and representative of Kurdish Question. It is also important in international dimension as diplomatic success and prestige.Also in internal policy, Turkey can follow socio-economic programs to solve Kurd Questions: such as economic progress, convenient opportunities for democracy process, and the protection of universal basic rights of human. This policy can gain prestige and advantage in solution stage of Kurd Question in both foreign policy and internal policy. Democratic, respecting to main human rights, having internal peace environment Turkey can solve Kurd Question and exterminates Pkk and its maintainer in both internal policy and foreign policy. Reference Page Elphinston, W. G., “The Kurdish Question”, International Affairs, vol.22, issue.1, June 1946 Gerner, D. J. and Schwedler J., “Understanding The Contemporary Middle East”, London: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2004 Houston, C., “Islam, Kurds and the Turkish Nation State”, New York: Berg Published, 2001, pp. 101-102 Oran, B., “Türk Dış Politikası”, Istanbul: Iletisim Yayinlari, 2003 Yegen, M., “The Kurdish Question in Turkish State Discourse”, Journal of Contemporary History, vol.34, issue. 4, October 1999
Şevket Cihan Durukan Doğu Akdeniz Üniversitesi 11.03.2008
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