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Cornell University, The Cornell Daily Sun, NY
March 16 2008
A New Outlook? Bird's Eye View
March 16, 2008 - 12:20am
By Rob Coniglio
Since its founding after World War I, the Turkish state has had a
clouded history with the integration of minorities. Founded out of
the multi-cultural Ottoman Empire, Turkey forged an ethnic identity
that came into conflict with Greek and Armenian residents of the
Anatolian Peninsula. The conflict with the Armenians is often
referred to as genocide, though the Turkish government steadfastly
refuses to characterize it that way. Kurds are spread across the
Middle East; they live in Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. The Turkish Kurds
have had the most sustained conflict with their government. The
Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) has been fighting since the 1970's and
in general, the Kurds in Turkey have faced legislation that
discriminates against them. For one, Kurdish language has been
severely restricted over the years. With the newfound autonomy of
Kurds in Iraq, the Turkish government has had to confront the
possibility of a strengthening separatist feeling and the possibility
of an independent Kurdistan. Such fears and increased PKK activity
have lead to Turkish military action in Iraqi Kurdistan. It seems,
however, that the Turkish government realizes the importance of
integrating Kurds and has adopted more forward-looking policies.
Then there is the question of the EU. Turkey has wanted to become an
EU member for quite some time but unfortunately, due to anti-Turkish
feeling in Europe, roadblock after roadblock have been put up to
block Turkey's accession. Some have been legitimate, including the
EU's demand to loosen restrictions on freedom of speech and better
incorporate the Kurdish minority. Other times, EU members are
stalling because they feel uncomfortable allowing a Muslim country
into `Europe.' It is good then that Turkey is taking the policy-based
EU objections seriously, finally moving to offer an alternative to
insurgency to the Kurds by expanding economic investment and cultural
empowerment. Though these polices may result from necessity, they are
signs of progress.
Progress in Turkey has not been based in the secular elite. Instead,
it has come from the Justice and Development Party, Turkey's Muslim
version of Europe's Christian Democratic Parties. Given the paradigm
that we live in, it is ironic that the force behind modernization and
opening are the forces of political Islam. Granted, it is an
extremely moderate form, but the Justice and Development Party should
remind us that we do not live in a black and white world of `us
versus them.' Turkish reforms should give us hope for the future, and
reinforce our confidence in a westward-looking Turkey, even if it is
one led by Islamists.
http://cornellsun.com/node/28865
March 16 2008
A New Outlook? Bird's Eye View
March 16, 2008 - 12:20am
By Rob Coniglio
Since its founding after World War I, the Turkish state has had a
clouded history with the integration of minorities. Founded out of
the multi-cultural Ottoman Empire, Turkey forged an ethnic identity
that came into conflict with Greek and Armenian residents of the
Anatolian Peninsula. The conflict with the Armenians is often
referred to as genocide, though the Turkish government steadfastly
refuses to characterize it that way. Kurds are spread across the
Middle East; they live in Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. The Turkish Kurds
have had the most sustained conflict with their government. The
Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) has been fighting since the 1970's and
in general, the Kurds in Turkey have faced legislation that
discriminates against them. For one, Kurdish language has been
severely restricted over the years. With the newfound autonomy of
Kurds in Iraq, the Turkish government has had to confront the
possibility of a strengthening separatist feeling and the possibility
of an independent Kurdistan. Such fears and increased PKK activity
have lead to Turkish military action in Iraqi Kurdistan. It seems,
however, that the Turkish government realizes the importance of
integrating Kurds and has adopted more forward-looking policies.
Then there is the question of the EU. Turkey has wanted to become an
EU member for quite some time but unfortunately, due to anti-Turkish
feeling in Europe, roadblock after roadblock have been put up to
block Turkey's accession. Some have been legitimate, including the
EU's demand to loosen restrictions on freedom of speech and better
incorporate the Kurdish minority. Other times, EU members are
stalling because they feel uncomfortable allowing a Muslim country
into `Europe.' It is good then that Turkey is taking the policy-based
EU objections seriously, finally moving to offer an alternative to
insurgency to the Kurds by expanding economic investment and cultural
empowerment. Though these polices may result from necessity, they are
signs of progress.
Progress in Turkey has not been based in the secular elite. Instead,
it has come from the Justice and Development Party, Turkey's Muslim
version of Europe's Christian Democratic Parties. Given the paradigm
that we live in, it is ironic that the force behind modernization and
opening are the forces of political Islam. Granted, it is an
extremely moderate form, but the Justice and Development Party should
remind us that we do not live in a black and white world of `us
versus them.' Turkish reforms should give us hope for the future, and
reinforce our confidence in a westward-looking Turkey, even if it is
one led by Islamists.
http://cornellsun.com/node/28865