Η Τουρκία και οι εξ ανατολών γείτονές της : μέσα από την αρθρογραφία του ημερήσιου τουρκικού τύπου του 1996
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Abstract
In 1996, in addition to economic and social problems, Turkey was
confronted by its worst crisis situation since the Treaty of Lausanne, both at
home, with regard to the Kurdish Question, and abroad, in its relations with its
neighbours. Foreign diplomatic and military sources specialising in
Mediterranean security issues opined that, of all the countries in the region,
Turkey posed the greatest risk of war. Potential seats of war emerged in Cyprus,
owing to the latest events and developments, and in the Aegean, because of
Turkey’s ‘territorial claims’. The main cause of war with Iran was considered to
be that country’s establishment and directing of a terrorist organisation on
Turkish soil. The strife between the Kurdish groups in northern Iraq could have
triggered war between Iraq and Turkey, involving other countries in the region
too. The founding of a Kurdish state, whether federal or autonomous, in
northern Iraq could have affected the situation in south-eastern Turkey, with
unforeseen consequences. Syria was sheltering Abdullah öcalan, leader of the
PKK, together with his staff, and also allowing the Bekaa military camp to be used for training the Kurds. A military operation by Turkey against Kurdish
targets in Syria (because the PKK’s activities were being directed from that
country) would have been a cause of war between Turkey and Syria. But the
crisis Turkey experienced in 1996 was largely due to its own attitude towards
démocratisation, human rights, and relations with certain Islamic countries
(Iran, Iraq, Libya), issues which led to its being excluded from the group of
prospective members of the European Union.
confronted by its worst crisis situation since the Treaty of Lausanne, both at
home, with regard to the Kurdish Question, and abroad, in its relations with its
neighbours. Foreign diplomatic and military sources specialising in
Mediterranean security issues opined that, of all the countries in the region,
Turkey posed the greatest risk of war. Potential seats of war emerged in Cyprus,
owing to the latest events and developments, and in the Aegean, because of
Turkey’s ‘territorial claims’. The main cause of war with Iran was considered to
be that country’s establishment and directing of a terrorist organisation on
Turkish soil. The strife between the Kurdish groups in northern Iraq could have
triggered war between Iraq and Turkey, involving other countries in the region
too. The founding of a Kurdish state, whether federal or autonomous, in
northern Iraq could have affected the situation in south-eastern Turkey, with
unforeseen consequences. Syria was sheltering Abdullah öcalan, leader of the
PKK, together with his staff, and also allowing the Bekaa military camp to be used for training the Kurds. A military operation by Turkey against Kurdish
targets in Syria (because the PKK’s activities were being directed from that
country) would have been a cause of war between Turkey and Syria. But the
crisis Turkey experienced in 1996 was largely due to its own attitude towards
démocratisation, human rights, and relations with certain Islamic countries
(Iran, Iraq, Libya), issues which led to its being excluded from the group of
prospective members of the European Union.
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