Cyprus-Forum.com

[detailer]

Whenever there is attck in Turkey, the western media names PKK as seperatists or guerillas instead of terrorist even if the attack targets civilians? Do you agree with that and why?

[cannedmoose]

Detailer, can't answer that question, because as the old adage states, one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. I don't know any Kurdish people to discuss this issue with, so I haven't formed an opinion on whether the PKK genuinely represents a desire for Kurdish autonomy and independence or whether they're just a gang of thugs seeking power for themselves within a convenient political framework (which is what I would classify the IRA's campaign as being all about).

The way I'd define it is that if a group espouses political goals and only attacks the military forces and government infrastructure of a state, then they represent a guerilla organisation. Where they start taking the campaign to people who have nothing to do with the running of the state, that's when they cross the line into terrorism. It's the best definition I've been able to draw, but there are many groups for whom neither description will entirely suit.

[cannedmoose]

Here's a related article from Zaman in which Erdogan condemned the BBC and Reuters for their position on the PKK's status.

http://www.zaman.com/?hn=21757&bl=international

[brother]

Well on the weekend a suicide bomber blew a bus up in Turkey and two brits died as a result of the PKK actions, i would deem them as terrorists and nothing else.

May i add these Brits were on holiday before the coward ended their lives prematurely.

[cannedmoose]

I don't care if they attack Brits or Turks, if they attack innocent people from any country, it makes them terrorists. If this was indeed the PKK, they are designated as a terrorist organisation by the EU anyway. My only personal issue with designating someone a terrorist is defining the fuzzy edge... let me be honest, my problem stems from not being able to bring myself to say that those Palestinians who carry out attacks against Israel are terrorists, whether through suicide bombings or through more convential means. They do so out of not just total desperation but also through a belief that they are defending the rights of their homeland by exacting vengeance upon its occupier. Having lived amongst these people for 6 months in Gaza, I did grow to appreciate why someone would go to such an extreme, although I fundamentally disagree with taking the lives of others regardless.

What the PKK believe and what they represent is outside my knowledge and I have no kurdish associates with whom to discuss the kurdish question. Therefore, I have to reserve my judgement. Although on the face of it, if they do attack innocent civilians, Turkish or otherwise, they are a terrorist group.

[Piratis]

For me the worst terrorists are all those that have the power and they are using it to terrorize others in order to accept terms that are against democracy and human rights.

for example:
UK
USA
Turkey
Israel
etc.

The ones that respond with terror to this terror are also terrorists, but these ones are terrorists because they have no alternative.

[city]

I don't care if they attack Brits or Turks, if they attack innocent people from any country, it makes them terrorists. If this was indeed the PKK, they are designated as a terrorist organisation by the EU anyway. My only personal issue with designating someone a terrorist is defining the fuzzy edge... let me be honest, my problem stems from not being able to bring myself to say that those Palestinians who carry out attacks against Israel are terrorists, whether through suicide bombings or through more convential means. They do so out of not just total desperation but also through a belief that they are defending the rights of their homeland by exacting vengeance upon its occupier. Having lived amongst these people for 6 months in Gaza, I did grow to appreciate why someone would go to such an extreme, although I fundamentally disagree with taking the lives of others regardless.

What the PKK believe and what they represent is outside my knowledge and I have no kurdish associates with whom to discuss the kurdish question. Therefore, I have to reserve my judgement. Although on the face of it, if they do attack innocent civilians, Turkish or otherwise, they are a terrorist group.

Thats exactly my sentiments Moose. I have not enough knowledge on the kurdish situation. And with the Palestinians its the same as you said, I met a few in Betlehem, but of course not to the extent you can claim.

That actually brings me to the point how a personal experience influences your view on problems. (referring to the GC-TC action on that cemetary issue) Doesn't it show how important this is?

[cannedmoose]

That actually brings me to the point how a personal experience influences your view on problems. (referring to the GC-TC action on that cemetary issue) Doesn't it show how important this is?

It does indeed City mou

[city]

To follow up on the palestinian issue (i know its OT) I've just seen a documentary on TV about a suicide bomber that failed to explode his bomb in a bus because he was discovered shortly before. They interviewed him, his family, the bus driver etc and I must say that doesn't make it easier to judge. It just shows how difficult and broad these problems are and how much understanding, learning and negotiating will be needed to solve these issues.

[detailer]

The cases in Turkey and Palestine are very different imo. Kurdish are very involved in Turkey; politics, arts, business... The problems in Turkey exist more because of the poverty and other social reasons rather than because of two "rival" ethnic/religious groups like in Israel.