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The
candidature of Turkey to the European Union had been agreed on the
occasion of the summit of Helsinki in December 1999. If all the member
countries have accepted to accord more time to the new candidate, in
order to become conformed to the principles of respect of Human's Rights,
Turkish authorities semm not very hurry to answer to this request ; but
why should do it, for no exact delay has been exiged ?
Entering in Europa, OK. Respecting the main rules applied by each
member state, no. It seems that for Turkey, the advantages providing by
an official position of candidate to Europe are dued without any
compensation and of course no droit de regard about what 's happened
inside its borders. And the policy of "no seen, no caught"
works very well the the one of to bury our heads in the sand ! Witness the fact that Turkish authorities have decided to continue
the martial law in the Kurdish provinces of Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Sirnak,
Dersim and Van, for four month since and after on 31th March This reaport is used against the Kurds and their representatives. It is on its basis that three HADEP mayors (People's democracy party) were arrested and tortured before to be temporarily released, with the interdiction to leave the country(2), The last fact is surprisong if we consider that after the Öcalan's arrest, a very few number of Kurdish personnalities had had this authorisation. They will be judged though there is no concrete evidence against them, except if to met foreigners induces to be a supporter of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party). Indeed, according to this reaport, the delegations would come by "illegal way" (?). The most visited town is Diyarbakir (the historical capitale of Kurdistan) that did received 26 délégations. After it comes Mardin with 23 delegations, Van (22 délégations), Urfa (16), Kars (5) and Elazig (4). The reaport explains too that the delegations had mainly met HADEP mayors (the only pro-Kurdish party to exist legally but with great difficulties in Turkey) and tlaked about economical and political development in the area. The reaport concludes that the aim of these delegations was to politicized the PKK, and it accused this party to "drive" them. Consequently, in the opinion of Turkey, the Europeans who go to the Kurdish regions for meeting elected representatives or Kurdish associations could not want to make friendly links and make exchanges with the leaders of this country. For the Turkish authoritiesd, these Europeans are nothing but PKK's emissaries ! If they can punish them just with many hours in detention, it is different for their hosts who undergo more serious problems. Moreover, European authorities seem to have the same opinion : they just regret the pressures against the Kurdish representativesse and take care to do not sanction Turkey(2). In regard to the economical and strategical interests, prudence is the rule and it is better to let some time to tormentors for turning over a new leaf. Europe sacrifies the Kurds since 77 years, so more or less... Roxane - 29 February 2000 (1) Kurdish Observer on 28/02/2000 (2) AFP 24, 25 and 28/02/2000 |