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Terrorism
Terrorism carried out individually or collectively, poses one of the
greatest threats to humanity in our age. It is also a threat to
international peace and security. Terrorism violates fundamental human
rights, particularly the right to live, and can have no justification under
any circumstances. It is an evil that strikes at the very core of democracy,
pluralistic civil society and economic and social development.
Turkey, itself, fully understands the scourge and menace of terrorism. Since
1984, it has experienced the terrorism perpetrated by the PKK, an
internationally recognized terrorist organization, whose aim is to carve out
a separate Marxist-Leninist state from Turkey’s sovereign borders through a
vile and indiscriminate campaign of violence and destruction. The PKK does
not hesitate to raid villages in the southeast of Turkey, burn schools,
sabotage economic development projects, and kill innocent civilians--such as
women, children and the elderly--including ironically the very people it
claims to represent. It receives support from neighboring countries. In this
regard, an agreement was reached between Turkey and Syria in October 1998 by
which Syria has committed itself to cease giving any support to the PKK. The
capture of the leader of PKK after leaving Syria has dealt a heavy blow to
the terrorist organization, which still tries to wage its campaign of
terror.
Turkey naturally has a legitimate duty and obligation to combat this
terrorist scourge and protect its citizens, in keeping with several
international agreements regarding the fight against terrorism. In this
pursuit, it is imperative that the common international understanding that
all nations must firmly stand united against acts of terrorism be translated
into concerted international cooperation and concrete action in this worthy
endeavor. Through effective international cooperation in vigorously fighting
terrorism, terrorists would then find no safe haven or support for their
illegal activities.
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