"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. "
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