STORY SUMMARY

By Ali Ezzatyar, Goran Sadjadi
The Daily Star

A new era in Turkey was seemingly born last spring when the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) declared a cease-fire and began withdrawing its guerillas from the country’s borders.

In an unprecedented move, the Turkish government formally announced that steps were being taken to bring the Kurdish issue to a peaceful resolution.

Over three years ago, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) quietly rescinded plans for a democratic opening that was largely focused on solving the Kurdish issue after public backlash among Turkish nationalists who were adamantly opposed to any negotiations with the vilified Kurdish rebel organization.

Very little has been done by the AK Party in the past nine months to allay Kurdish suspicions and ensure the PKK’s withdrawal will continue.

There, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, or PYD – an affiliate of the PKK – has been successfully securing Kurdish territory along the northeast border after intense fights with radical Islamist groups, which it alleges are secretly supported by Turkey.

Kurdish politicians and local residents in Turkey have begun protests against the wall, which they claim is designed to divide the Kurdish regions of Turkey and Syria.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2013/Nov-11/237442-new-era-in-turkey-looks-like-old-one.ashx#ixzz2kK1EhroF
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)