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  • Armenia-PKK

    How much of these accusation do you think is true? Elaborate.

    __________________________________________________ ____

    Eurasia Insight:
    THE KURDISH ISSUE AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH
    Stephen Blank: 5/27/08
    A EurasiaNet Commentary

    The Kurdish issue, specifically the matter of establishing a homeland for Kurds, has complicated efforts to stabilize Iraq. Now, there is growing concern among international experts that the Kurdish question could become a source of tension, and possibly conflict in the South Caucasus.

    Media outlets in Turkey and Azerbaijan have reported that militant Kurds, in particular fighters affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party, have been settling in Nagorno-Karabakh and in portions of Armenian-occupied Azerbaijan, with the tacit support of the Armenian government in Yerevan. Many of the Kurds are reputed to have resettled in the strategically important Lachin Corridor, a strip of territory now occupied by Armenia that was formerly part of Azerbaijan proper. Control of Lachin is one of the main obstacles in the search for a Karabakh settlement. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

    Before the outbreak of the Karabakh conflict, Lachin had a high number of Kurdish residents, and during the 1920s, it was part of a Kurdish Autonomous Area within the Soviet Union. Much of the Kurdish population fled the region during the Karabakh war. But the fact remains that there is a historical precedent for a Kurdish presence in Lachin. Even so, their resettlement today -- especially if reports about PKK militants being among the migrants are accurate -- is fraught with peril for regional security.

    Some recent Turkish and Azerbaijani reports have seemed downright hyperbolic in sounding the alarm about the Kurdish threat, as well as about Armenia’s supposed role in promoting resettlement. The reports alleged that Kurdish militants have established training camps in and around Karabakh, and that Armenian authorities have given Kurds access to state broadcasting facilities. They likewise claimed that political organizations in Armenia, such as the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakstoutiun), are actively assisting the Kurds, seeing them as a means to strengthen Armenians’ hold on Karabakh. In addition, Turkish and Azerbaijani media have stressed that both Ankara and Baku consider the PKK a terrorist organization.

    On May 14, a commentary in the Istanbul newspaper Yeni Safak, a staunch supporter of Turkey’s governing Justice and Development Party, claimed that the PKK’s leadership, perhaps feeling insecure in northern Iraq, was mulling a move to Nagorno-Karabakh. The report could not be independently confirmed.

    Armenia officials have vigorously denied a PKK presence in either Armenia proper or in Karabakh. "The unsubstantiated rumors about the intentions on the side of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to move to Nagorno-Karabakh and controlled territories cannot be called anything less than another provocation," stated Foreign Ministry press spokesman Vladimir Karapetian.

    It might be tempting to downplay the news reports as Turkish and Azerbaijani propaganda aimed at their longtime enemy -- Armenia. But dismissing Turkish and Azerbaijani assertions and concerns could prove dangerous. They require further investigation.

    There is a danger that Turkey and Azerbaijan could take matters into their own hands, using the reported Kurdish threat as a pretext for military operations in Karabakh. In a February commentary published by the Ekho newspaper in Baku, political analyst Mubariz Ahmadoglu stated that that the country’s political leadership might feel compelled to use force in an attempt to address the Kurdish issue. “If Armenia continues moving in this direction, resistance on the part Azerbaijan will be increasing. And not only at a diplomatic level,” the newspaper quoted Ahmadoglu as saying. “I cannot rule out that Azerbaijan can start real actions of a military character. I know officials who made remarks lately and I formed such an impression.” For example, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has stated publicly that Baku would consider military operations to root out Kurdish militants.

    In addition, Turkish military leaders -- who in recent months have ordered military operations in northern Iraq designed to smash PKK strongholds -- have hinted that they would consider attacking Kurdish militants wherever they were found. This has fueled speculation that Turkey too might consider a raid against Karabakh, or even Armenia proper.

    The mere fact that Turkish and Azerbaijani media outlets are complaining about a Kurdish militant presence in Karabakh should spur the international community to action, in particular the co-chairs of the Minsk Group -- the United States, Russia and France. There is a clear need for redoubled efforts to get Karabakh negotiations back on track, so as to eliminate, or at least greatly diminish the chances of developments taking a calamitous turn.

    Editor’s Note: Stephen Blank is a professor at the US Army War College. The views expressed this article do not in any way represent the views of the US Army, Defense Department or the US Government.

    Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

  • #2
    Re: Armenia-PKK

    Bs, it's just propaganda. They are searching a reason to attack Armenia, but they have no proof to attack. But the Azeris will attack when they believe we are weak. But the Turks are creating a reason for the Azeris to attack because they can't attack themself. Because Russia protects the Armenian-turko border.

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    • #3
      Re: Armenia-PKK

      I was just about to post this article with the intention of calling it BS as KarotheGreat did.

      It's obvious the Turks are testing the waters in order to stage an attack on Armenia. Any half-wit anaylist (such as the US anaylist thet wrote this article) can see that. The problem with this senario is that the more these lies are broadcast, the better the chance that UN nitwits will give credence to them. They have allowed Turkey to attack Iraqi Kurdistan with impunity...who is to say that the international community won't exert pressure on Turks not to attack Armenia?

      Armenia needs to actively combat these accusations and go on the diplomatic offensive. Along with that, at some point Armenia needs to bloody Azerbaijan's nose before they decide to launch another suprise attack on Armenian soil again.

      Here is another article written today concerning prospects for "resumption of hostilities". Note the Russian political scientist's prediction that Armenia may launch preemtive "warning attacks" in order to disuade Azerbaijan from getting too confident:

      Russian expert: "By stressing its isolation, "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" became trapped by the same processes that occur around other unrecognized countries"

      27 May 2008 [10:16] - Today.Az



      "Today Nagorno Karabakh occupies special place among the unrecognized countries", said Alexander Skakov, chief of department for problems of near abroad of the Russian Strategic Researches Institute, taking part in the international conference in the Nagorno Karabakh center.

      "On the one hand, Nagorno Karabakh proved its political and economic independence and flexibility. On the other hand, "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" distances itself from other unrecognized countries and in the result from Russia as well. Russia also does not strive for involving Nagorno Karabakh into its orbit and does not intend to spoil its positive relations with Azerbaijan.

      Paradoxical situation emerged in the result-by stressing its isolation, "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" became trapped by the processes and pressure of the other unrecognized countries", said Skakov.

      According to him, "the intention of Brussels and Washington to break the status-quo, unfreeze the existent conflict, transform the system of international relations, established in the South Caucasus, did not bypass Nagorno Karabakh".

      "Since the Moscow meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group in 1993, Nagorno Karabakh had been a conflict party, a participant of the negotiation process and remained that until autumn of 1997, despite the sharp resistance of Baku. Nevertheless, a number of factors, including the emerging internal crisis in Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan's growing prestige resulted in Minsk group's refusal to hold talks with participation of Khankendi under pretense of the urgent presidential elections in "Nagorno Karabakh Republic".

      "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" is right to insist on its full participation as a conflict side in the negotiation process under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group. Baku is against it", said the Russian expert.

      At the same time he noted that the said situation is unambiguous. "On the one hand, the status of Nagorno Karabakh, as a conflict side, has lowered, as the talks are held without its participation. On the other hand, "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" gets an opportunity to block the implementation of any peaceful plan without participation in the talks and Armenia is free in its actions.

      Anyway, the non-participation of "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" in the negotiation process can not be considered logical, as the interests of Yerevan and Khankendi are not the same, though close to each others", said Alexander Skakov.

      He said Russia distances itself from the search of ways of the conflict resolution, shifting the responsibility to the conflicting sides and other mediators. This reduces Russia's influence in the region, he thinks.

      Speaking about possible renewal of hostilities in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, he noted: "Most officials in Azerbaijan do not rule out forced way of resolution in case there will not be any other peaceful solutions. Nevertheless, the variant of Azerbaijan's strengthening its position in the international arena and isolation of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh is the most important for Baku".

      He noted that militaristic spirits are stronger among the military leadership of Azerbaijan than among the political one. "Generals develop plans of military revenge and start to believe in their possibility. The most surprising is that in line with some sources, the Azerbaijani military authorities also admit the variant of front attack to the "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" for outlet to the Karabakh defense, which seems quite unreal.
      Anyway, the confidence about the possible revenge creates conditions for initiation of large scale military actions in case of any provocation. I admit that such militaristic spirits may also exist among the Armenian servicemen. In particular, Armenian mass medias admit that in case Yerevan and Stepanakert are confident about Azerbaijan's readiness to war, they may undertake a warning attack. It seems to me that both scripts are possible only in the result of a large scale crisis in the whole region", said the Russian expert.

      The current plans of the peaceful resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be considered in the sense of their preparedness, he considers. Yet, he says that all of them are unreal and face insuperable obstacles in the current conditions.

      "To overcome them requires either good will or peace-loving, which both sides do not have, or unilateral steps from one of the parties, demonstrating its good will, which is unreal so far. Today the only chance for the peaceful resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict on the long-term basis is a course for reconciliation of the peoples and rejection of the forced resolution of the problem", said Skakov.

      /Regnum/
      ...notice the political scientist said that Azerbaijani Generals have drafted plans for a frontal attack...I pray they are that stupid!
      Last edited by crusader1492; 05-27-2008, 12:14 PM.

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      • #4
        Re: Armenia-PKK

        Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the issue!

        I myself initially dismissed it as rubbish when I read similar articles a few months ago, including one where the Azerbaboons claimed the Mossad confirms the existence of the PKK in Artsakh (go figure!).

        But still, I have a gut feeling that we have had ties with the PKK to some degree. Plus, I doubt that we are not helping Kurds settle in strategic Lachin where there is a desperate shortage of population.
        Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

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        • #5
          Re: Armenia-PKK

          For God's sake we didn't sacrifice our people to liberate our homeland in order to please or place some kounvatz kurds in those territories. Just a reminder the kurds did the actual slathering during the Genocide.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Armenia-PKK

            This is what I don't understand about Armenians: Why be afraid to reveal such ties? What, Turkey is going to invade Artsakh? BS! What are they going to do, close their border with Armenia? Yes, Armenia most probably does have ties with the PKK. These ties go back to the time of the Soviet Union and, in my opinion, they need to be reinstated in full. However, again, there is the trust factor here. Kurds are by far one of the least reliable peoples on earth. What's more, northern Iraq (Kurdistan) has been a playground for CIA and the Mossad.
            Մեր ժողովուրդն արանց հայրենասիրութեան այն է, ինչ որ մի մարմին' առանց հոգու:

            Նժդեհ


            Please visit me at my Heralding the Rise of Russia blog: http://theriseofrussia.blogspot.com/

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            • #7
              Re: Armenia-PKK

              Originally posted by Azad View Post
              For God's sake we didn't sacrifice our people to liberate our homeland in order to please or place some kounvatz kurds in those territories. Just a reminder the kurds did the actual slathering during the Genocide.
              It's sad but we don't seem to want to settle in the liberated territories, nor do we really do much to improve conditions there so people at least consider doing so. Hell, we've ignored Nor Shahumyan (aka Kelbajar), Kashatagh (aka Lachin, Jabrayil, Zangilan, Qubadli) and southern Hadrut (aka Fizuli) for 20 years! Too bad we must turn to Kurds to at least boost some of the population.
              Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

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              • #8
                Re: Armenia-PKK

                Originally posted by Armenian View Post
                This is what I don't understand about Armenians: Why be afraid to reveal such ties? What, Turkey is going to invade Artsakh? BS! What are they going to do, close their border with Armenia? Yes, Armenia most probably does have ties with the PKK. These ties go back to the time of the Soviet Union and, in my opinion, they need to be reinstated in full.
                I guess it's mostly because it will ruin Armenia's "reputation" on a global scale since most leading countries have the PKK listed as a so-called "terrorist entity". Can't afford much more alienation so we must play the game discretely and carefully.
                What's more, northern Iraq (Kurdistan) has been a playground for CIA and the Mossad.
                This explains why the Mossad "confirms" the existence of the PKK in Artsakh. What I don't understand is why doesn't Armenia xxxxing demand an explanation from Israel about these kind of statements that Azerbaboonjan makes. Major foreign policy weakness is our lack of aggressiveness.
                Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

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                • #9
                  Re: Armenia-PKK

                  Major foreign policy weakness is our lack of aggressiveness.

                  This is one of many examples where the Armenian government hasn't done much to assert its place. I hope serge's government is much more assertive in its foreign policy than kocharyan's was.
                  For the first time in more than 600 years, Armenia is free and independent, and we are therefore obligated
                  to place our national interests ahead of our personal gains or aspirations.



                  http://www.armenianhighland.com/main.html

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                  • #10
                    Re: Armenia-PKK

                    i wanna ask a question to u armenian ppl. in turkey there is a wide belief that armenia helped kurds to build pkk and pkk was born from the ashes of asala. now pkk thinks armenians and assyrians old lands are kurdish lands (but they havent been there in history and they r kind of iranians) -- what do u guys think about it? did they betray to armenia or do u think armenians have never had relationship with them? but its also known thing that there was armenian members of pkk in the past and they werent few.
                    ----and i think most armenians dont know that kurds killed the arenians the most in anatolia in the past, not turks. (maybe u wont believe me but if u do research u will see it).
                    so what r ur opinions bour that? for example turkeys assyrians hate pkk, they think there r assyrian lands and they dont even want independence actually they just dont agree pkk saying there were pkk lands and work against pkk in turkey.

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