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Clinton urges BDP to denounce terrorism
Hillary Clinton
Turkeys main pro-Kurdish political party should follow the example of the Irish group Sinn Fein in denouncing terrorism if it wants to pursue serious negotiations to solve the Kurdish problem, Washingtons top diplomat has suggested.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the comparison, the first time a U.S. official had used the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, or IRA, as an example to Turkeys Kurdish politicians, during a meeting in Istanbul last week with two senior leaders of the Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP.
Clintons statement was an indirect message to BDP officials Selahattin Demirtaş and Gültan Kışanak to denounce violence as Sinn Fein did in Ireland. In order to pursue negotiations the way Sinn Fein did with the United Kingdom, you have to denounce violence. Its not enough to say we feel sad after every deadly attack when young people die, Clinton told the BDP delegation, the Hürriyet Daily News has learned.
The U.S. secretary of state was in Istanbul on July 15 and 16 to join an international meeting on Libya and hold official meetings with the Turkish government. She also requested meetings with the opposition parties to emphasize the importance Washington places on Turkish democracy as a whole. In addition to the BDP leaders, Clinton met with main opposition Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the deputy parliamentary group leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP.
The messages Clinton conveyed to the BDP officials gained importance given their timing, two days after 13 troops were killed in Southeast Anatolia by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, an event that caused outrage among the public and the countrys political parties. The BDP is seen by many as the political wing of the PKK and has been severely criticized for not denouncing violence committed by the terror organization.
During her meeting with BDP officials, Clinton suggested the party could look to Ireland as an example, pointing out that Sinn Feins denouncement of IRA violence made it possible for them to have a seat in further negotiations. It also gave Sinn Fein moral high ground in these negotiations, she added.
Without making a direct reference to the BDPs boycotting of Parliament due to six of it elected deputies remaining behind bars, Clinton also emphasized how important it is for opposition parties to take part in the political process.
The Daily News has learned that Demirtaş hinted that the partys aim was that, but also expressed concerns about the restricted rights of Kurds, especially in terms of the use of their mother tongue and educational rights. He also said one BDP-backed seat in Parliament had been stolen by the ruling party through court decisions and that there were still deputies behind bars.
A constitution of compromise
Clintons message to all parties on constitutional reform was equally important. Emphasizing the importance of broad participation in making the new charter, she also urged all parties to be able to compromise to reach a blueprint that represents the views of entire country.
Thats why she wanted to meet with all political parties. She showed that the U.S. stakes were not just for one party but for Turkish democracy, a source with knowledge of the meeting told the Daily News.
Clinton backs speedy Cyprus talks
Among the top foreign-policy issues discussed by Clinton with Turkish officials were developments in Syria, Libya and other regional countries shaken by uprisings, the ongoing Cyprus talks and relations with Armenia as well as with Israel.
Clinton expressed support for the accelerated timetable of the United Nations that will keep Cypriot leaders meeting twice a week until October. On Armenia, she hinted that it was time for Turkey to take steps toward Armenia to show that the reconciliation process was still ongoing, adding that Washington understood Ankaras domestic concerns.
Clinton urges BDP to denounce terrorism - Hurriyet Daily News
Hillary Clinton
Turkeys main pro-Kurdish political party should follow the example of the Irish group Sinn Fein in denouncing terrorism if it wants to pursue serious negotiations to solve the Kurdish problem, Washingtons top diplomat has suggested.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the comparison, the first time a U.S. official had used the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, or IRA, as an example to Turkeys Kurdish politicians, during a meeting in Istanbul last week with two senior leaders of the Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP.
Clintons statement was an indirect message to BDP officials Selahattin Demirtaş and Gültan Kışanak to denounce violence as Sinn Fein did in Ireland. In order to pursue negotiations the way Sinn Fein did with the United Kingdom, you have to denounce violence. Its not enough to say we feel sad after every deadly attack when young people die, Clinton told the BDP delegation, the Hürriyet Daily News has learned.
The U.S. secretary of state was in Istanbul on July 15 and 16 to join an international meeting on Libya and hold official meetings with the Turkish government. She also requested meetings with the opposition parties to emphasize the importance Washington places on Turkish democracy as a whole. In addition to the BDP leaders, Clinton met with main opposition Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and the deputy parliamentary group leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP.
The messages Clinton conveyed to the BDP officials gained importance given their timing, two days after 13 troops were killed in Southeast Anatolia by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, an event that caused outrage among the public and the countrys political parties. The BDP is seen by many as the political wing of the PKK and has been severely criticized for not denouncing violence committed by the terror organization.
During her meeting with BDP officials, Clinton suggested the party could look to Ireland as an example, pointing out that Sinn Feins denouncement of IRA violence made it possible for them to have a seat in further negotiations. It also gave Sinn Fein moral high ground in these negotiations, she added.
Without making a direct reference to the BDPs boycotting of Parliament due to six of it elected deputies remaining behind bars, Clinton also emphasized how important it is for opposition parties to take part in the political process.
The Daily News has learned that Demirtaş hinted that the partys aim was that, but also expressed concerns about the restricted rights of Kurds, especially in terms of the use of their mother tongue and educational rights. He also said one BDP-backed seat in Parliament had been stolen by the ruling party through court decisions and that there were still deputies behind bars.
A constitution of compromise
Clintons message to all parties on constitutional reform was equally important. Emphasizing the importance of broad participation in making the new charter, she also urged all parties to be able to compromise to reach a blueprint that represents the views of entire country.
Thats why she wanted to meet with all political parties. She showed that the U.S. stakes were not just for one party but for Turkish democracy, a source with knowledge of the meeting told the Daily News.
Clinton backs speedy Cyprus talks
Among the top foreign-policy issues discussed by Clinton with Turkish officials were developments in Syria, Libya and other regional countries shaken by uprisings, the ongoing Cyprus talks and relations with Armenia as well as with Israel.
Clinton expressed support for the accelerated timetable of the United Nations that will keep Cypriot leaders meeting twice a week until October. On Armenia, she hinted that it was time for Turkey to take steps toward Armenia to show that the reconciliation process was still ongoing, adding that Washington understood Ankaras domestic concerns.
Clinton urges BDP to denounce terrorism - Hurriyet Daily News
