[Umit]

14 July 2005

Erdogan condemns BBC and Reuters on PKK definition

Erdogan condemns BBC and Reuters on PKK definition
The only way to end terrorism was international co-operation but that discrimination on terrorism made the solution more difficult, the PM said.

Turkey’s Prime Minister has criticised two England-based media organisations for not defining the separatist group the PKK as terrorists in their stories.

“I condemn and curse the BBC and Reuters agencies for describing the PKK as militants,” he said. “I call on the world media to be objective. If this attitude continues terror strikes in Turkey would hit them and their children,” he said.

http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/news/333090.asp

[Shannon]

I agree, Turkey has long had this problem and no one listened, its only now cos its happening in Western Europe that people are listening! So for western europe its terrorism when it hits them but when it hits an eastern european country, its militants! HYPOCRACY!!

[Croushy]

Western Europe dont care about other terrorists than their countries, and its a fact. Whats hapenning in Nepal, Peru... They dont mind. France condamns only one terrorists group that dont attacks Western Europe. Who? The FARC from Colombia. Why? Because one of their hostages is French!

[Shannon]

I agree with you 100% on that one Croushy, the governments of the west are hypocrites, they will step in when it suits them and they have something to gain from it! Other than that, its not their probem apparently! Iraq is the perfect example of that - oil!

[PeiramatoZwo]

Actually these "terrorists" in Turkey are trying to establish autonomy (not to say independant state), so that's the difference between them and the the terrorists in the west. Either way i don't agree with the way they claim their rights, but i think BBC and Reuters used the proper words. (In which stories exactly did they use the term militants ? On attacks in Anatolia, or on attacks in Kusadasi and rest turist places?

[Shannon]

Looking ro define terrorism is difficult, ive been searching on the web for definitions and here are 2 that stood out!

The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence against people or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives. (JCS Pub 1-02)

A criminal act that is undertaken with the purpose of achieving political gain. It may or may not be directed against a particular government, and it may or may not be state-sponsored. Defining terrorism is a very controversial subject because of the differing motivations of those who practice it. As the old saying goes, "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter."

http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&lr...fine:terrorism

I think the point i am trying to make is that nobody is saying that these people dont have rights and perhaps many things they fight for are just. Its not their aims you see, its their methods of achieving them! And it all depends on the methods of achieving them, because thats what slots you into the terrorist definitions!

[PeiramatoZwo]

I agree with u, about the means of fighting for your rights. Still i think Turkey is really behind when it comes to minorities rights, always compared with the EU.

[Umit]

Originally Posted by PeiramatoZwo

I agree with u, about the means of fighting for your rights. Still i think Turkey is really behind when it comes to minorities rights, always compared with the EU.

okey, for example which minorities?

[PeiramatoZwo]

Greek, Kurds , Religious Minorities etc That's why EU asked for Turkey to change the law regarding the rights of the minorities and their institutions. Turkey voted a new law, but practically there wasn't any major changes in the key issues.

[Umit]

i dont know about Greeks and i really dont understand what you mean by religous minorities.. i think you are watching biased news channels and/or reading biased newspapers. BTW, do you know somethings about "The Roman Orthodox Patriarchate" ? as far as i know, they are pretty happy to live here and they dont have any problem. I dont say everything is so perfect here but at least not bad as you say.

Ahh, Kurds again. I think you should really change your resources. Becuase, Kurds are not a minority in Turkey, They are Turkish Citizens and they have full rights with Turkish people. Our parliament has lots of Kurdish deputy. And our deceased president, Turgut Ozal (you may remember the name) was a Kurdish.

Anyway i recommend you to read/watch unbiased resources and if you can please visit Turkey and see everything for yourself.