InfoAnda - Kurd voters stress on identity frustrates Turkish PM

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Korean star Yun Jung-hee back on screen at Cannes | | 20 May 2010
U.N. council voices concern about Gaza war report | International | | 14 May 2009
China reshuffles top military ranks ahead of leadership change | | 24 October 2012

China says Obama-Dalai talks 'seriously harm' US ties | 19 February 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Kurd voters stress on identity frustrates Turkish PM | International |

My Profile Top News Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day. Subscribe You are here: Home > News > International > Article Home Business & Finance News U.S. Politics International Technology Entertainment Sports Lifestyle Oddly Enough Environment Health Science Special Coverage Video Pictures Your View The Great Debate Blogs Weather Reader Feedback Do More With Reuters RSS Widgets Mobile Podcasts Newsletters Your View Make Reuters My Homepage Partner Services CareerBuilder Affiliate Network Professional Products Support (Customer Zone) Reuters Media Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Kurd voters stress on identity frustrates Turkish PM Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:57am EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page [-] Text [+] By Alexandra Hudson DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party failed to conquer the Kurdish bastion of Diyarbakir in Sunday's local polls because they misjudged decades-old grievances by minority Kurds. Jubilant Kurds took to the streets of Diyarbakir, the biggest city of the Kurdish southeast, to celebrate the victory of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) over the AK Party, which campaigned on a message of improving services in the impoverished region rather than stressing Kurdish identity. The southeast has been torn by separatist violence since the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) took up arms against the state 25 years ago. Some 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict and ending it is seen as key to boosting Turkey's security. Turkish President Abdullah Gul stressed the point in Baghdad last week, calling on Iraqi Kurdish officials to do more to prevent the PKK from using Iraq as a base to attack Turkey. He also recognized the Kurdistan government in northern Iraq, a move expected to improve ties between the state and Kurds. Erdogan's Islamist-rooted party had hoped to dislodge the DTP from Diyarbakir and other local administration in the southeast after it swept the region in a 2007 general election. But the DTP won 67 percent of the vote in Diyarbakir, pummeling the AK Party which took 31 percent of the vote. The result was a big disappointment for Erdogan, who had worked hard to win the support of Turkey's 12 million minority Kurds, telling them all Turkish citizens were equal and granting more rights to Kurds under pressure from the European Union. Launching a Kurdish-language state television channel and handing free washing machines to locals did not convince them that the AK Party was best placed to run their cities. However the government is expected to continue pushing for reform. DTP officials had accused the government of granting some rights to Kurds only to win votes and had pointed out the many restrictions that still exist on the Kurdish language. "We are so happy that the DTP won. It is our party and this is our victory," said 21-year old student Pelin Altun. "Only old, religious people voted for the AK Party. The young voted for the DTP because we are most concerned about our identity and the future and not about religion," he said. "We are not barbarians here we just want our identity," said Yilmaz 34, a caretaker. Dogu Ergil, an Ankara-based expert on Kurds, said the results had sent the message to Erdogan that "the road to Europe passes through Diyarbakir." The EU has long pressed Ankara to expand more cultural and political rights to Kurds. "Kurds don't want to be given rights by the government. They say it is their own rights and they want to exercise them because they belong to them," Ergil said. The Turkish state has long feared that easing restrictions for minorities will lead to the carving up of the country founded on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. In recent months the military has made conciliatory gestures, saying force might alone will not defeat the separatists. Continued... View article on single page Share: Del.icio.us Digg Mixx Yahoo! Facebook LinkedIn Next Article: Sudan's Bashir urges Arab support against warrant also on reuters Pepsi tests "green" vending machines Skype announces service for iPhone, BlackBerry Send Questions: Ask the World Bank President More International News U.S. deploys anti-missile ships before N.Korea launch Pakistani commandos end academy siege | Video No early exit from Afghanistan: NATO chief | Video Israel's Netanyahu wins Peres praise over policy Thirty years on, Khmer Rouge torturer in dock More International News... Related News Q&A: What's next for Turkey's PM Erdogan, AK Party 10:57am EDT Editor's Choice Slideshow A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow Most Popular on Reuters Articles Video Obama orders tough medicine for GM, Chrysler | Video U.S. deploys anti-missile ships before N.Korea launch Brazil builds walls around Rio de Janeiro slums U.S. auto rescues skid, Europe helps weak lenders | Video Skype to launch service for iPhone, BlackBerry Watch China's FX swaps, not just super-currency plan | Video Canadians find vast computer spy network: report UPDATE 1-US autos task force rejects GM, Chrysler plans U.S. autos task force rejects GM, Chrysler plans Fox News' Bill O'Reilly boycotting Sean Penn films Most Popular Articles RSS Feed Video Man kills eight at US care home GM CEO resigns Deadly clashes mar Turkish elections Prayers for Philippine hostages Illusionist floats in mid-air Deadly siege underway in Pakistan Pizza vending machine Madonna in Malawi to adopt a girl Spaniards rally against abortion law Credit crunch hits miners Most Popular Videos RSS Feed Your opinion matters We want to hear from you Learn More Take Reuters online survey Reuters.com: Help and Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Mobile | Newsletters | RSS | Interactive TV | Labs | Archive | Site Index | Video Index Thomson Reuters Corporate: Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Professional Products | Professional Products Support | About Thomson Reuters | Careers International Editions: Africa | Arabic | Argentina | Brazil | Canada | China | France | Germany | India | Italy | Japan | Latin America | Mexico | Russia | Spain | United Kingdom | United States Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Monday, 30 March 2009
U.S. seeks support on Afghan plans at Hague forum | International |
Karzai to stay Afghan president till August polls | International |
Indian Ocean island votes to become fully French | International |
Action video games sharpen eyesight: U.S. study | Technology |
New technologies coming to Web start-ups' rescue | Technology |
'Monsters vs. Aliens' fuels booming box office | Entertainment |
Palestinian orchestra shut over Holocaust concert | Entertainment |
U.S. deploys anti-missile ships before North Korea launch | International |
Israel's Netanyahu to present govt Tuesday: Likud
Thirty years on, Khmer Rouge torturer in dock | International |
US-backed Iraqi troops quell Baghdad uprising
Militants storm Pakistani police center | International |
Obama vows no hot US troop pursuit into Pakistan
U.S. seeks support on Afghan plans at Hague forum | International |
GM chief to quit under Obama auto plan
Kenyan police abuse Somali refugees: rights group | International |
US envoy: Don't expect warmer relations with Iran
Prince William up for Afghanistan fight: report
Foe of pro-Moscow Chechnya leader shot in Dubai: reports | International |
Israel: Militants smuggled tons of weapons to Gaza
Madonna in Malawi for second adoption
Hamas leader gives unity talks a strong chance | International |
Peugeot board sacks boss Streiff
Fidel Castro criticizes Biden for embargo support | International |
Obama plans to stick to Iraq withdrawal timetable
$135 bln remains from bank bailout fund: Geithner
Pentagon chief favors sanctions to press Iran | International |
Obama rules out US troops in Pakistan
Sudan's Beshir travels to Doha, defying warrant
Germany's Hypo Real Estate will survive: CEO
Obama envoy: China too must fight global warming
Skype announces service for iPhone, BlackBerry | Technology |
Eight killed in attack on US nursing home
Britain to start Iraq pullout on Tuesday
NDakota fights levee erosion amid record floods
Action video games sharpen eyesight: U.S. study
Obama rules out US troop raids into Pakistan
Gates says US can do nothing about NKorean missile
Central America to US: Slow deportations
Indian Ocean former colony votes to become French
Thousands march in Spain against abortion reforms
Madonna appears in Malawi court in adoption bid | Entertainment |
Fox News' Bill O'Reilly boycotting Sean Penn films | Entertainment |
ABC, Survivor producer launch bailout program | Entertainment |
Prince battles sound problems on one-night tour | Entertainment |
Kathy Bates on Blind Side team | Entertainment |
Fox eyes dating show for average-looking people | Entertainment |
Wrestling star Cena is dead weight in 12 Rounds | Entertainment |
Thai PM avoids office on 5th day of protests
Eric Bana loves his car, moviegoers won't | Entertainment |
Hong Kong columnist attacked for 'racist' article
Office gearing up for fall syndication launch | Entertainment |
U.S. deploys anti-missile ships
Thai police warn protesters on 5th day of blockade
Monsters vs. Aliens fuels booming box office | Entertainment |
Malaysia police seize opposition election DVDs
Gunmen storm Pakistan police academy
S.Korea c/a surplus 11-yr high as exports rise
Sri Lanka says 39 rebels killed in fighting
S.Korean won tumbles as stocks fall across region
Soldier stabbed outside army barracks in SW China
Taiwan dollar down sharply after stocks extend losses
Sri Lanka military says 39 rebels killed battles
Seoul shares fall 3.2 pct hit by banks, auto woes
Indonesia steps up search for dam burst survivors
China energy arm plans to up nuclear capacity
Fox eyes dating show for "average-looking" people
China's Chalco says loss expected in Q1
ABC, "Survivor" producer launch bailout program
"Office" gearing up for fall syndication launch
Seoul shares fall 3 pct as banks, carmakers drop
Prince battles sound problems on one-night tour
Korea Hot Stocks
Eric Bana loves his car, moviegoers won't
AU, Chi Mei seek tie-ups with Chinese firms -paper
Wrestling star Cena is dead weight in "12 Rounds"
S.Korea sees $3.5 bln property-linked problem loans
Actor Tim Allen greets his 2nd child, Elizabeth
Kathy Bates on "Blind Side" team
Ukraine cafe glorifies anti-Soviet fighters
Following atheist trend, Britons seek 'de-baptism'
Turkish government poll setback weakens markets
No early exit from Afghanistan: NATO chief | International |
Afghan suicide blast kills nine: government
Israel's Netanyahu pledges to seek Middle East peace | International |
Bicycle bomb kills 3 in north Iraq's Baquba
Kurd voters stress on identity frustrates Turkish PM | International |
Israel's Netanyahu readies to present cabinet
World stocks plummet as auto sector reels
Sudan's Bashir urges Arab support against warrant | International |
Afghan suicide blast kills eight: police
100,000 secular Britons seek 'de-baptism'
Southern Africa summit seen suspending Madagascar | International |
Israeli Railways fires Arabs workers
India appoints lawyer for accused Mumbai attacker | International |
Suicide bomber kills three Pakistan soldiers
Five Britons arrested ahead of G20 London protests | International |
Medvedev hopeful ahead of meeting with Obama
Google launches free, legal music downloads in China | Technology |
US sergeant convicted of executing Iraqi prisoners
Skype to launch service for iPhone, BlackBerry
Fujitsu commits to servers despite potential Sun deal | Technology |
Google launches free, legal music downloads in China
Fujitsu aims to double PC server sales in 2 yrs
US sergeant convicted of executing Iraqi prisoner
Fujitsu aims to double PC server sales in 2 yrs | Technology |
US won't hunt militants over Pakistan border: Obama
Hong Kong defers on Mugabe immunity in attack
Malawi court to rule on Madonna adoption bid Friday | Entertainment |
19 die in bloody siege at Pakistan police academy
Filipino militants set time for hostage beheading
Hollywood's top music composer Maurice Jarre dies
China cracks down in Muslim west
Four 'terrorists' killed at Pakistan police academy
Ex-rebel leader attacked ahead of Aceh elections
NKorea holding SKorean worker at joint factory
Japan's industrial production falls 9.4 percent
Credit crunch impairs theaters' digital vision | Entertainment |
Pakistani commandos end siege
Japanese automakers worry about GM, Chrysler
Fox News' Bill O'Reilly boycotting Sean Penn films
Long-delayed Khmer Rouge genocide trial opens
DEALTALK-Western stakes in S.Korea banks eyed amid sell-downs
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Hit writer Bob Gaudio honored at Nashville show
Taiwan defends trade pact with China
T.S. Eliot nixed Orwell's 'Trotskyite' Animal Farm
Seoul shares drop 3 pct amid auto woes, won weighs
Hollywood's top music composer Maurice Jarre dies
Elbit Systems wins Korea Aerospace contract
Maurice Jarre, composer of "Zhivago" score, dies
China Minmetals still discussing Oz Minerals deal
Madonna's adoption ruling delayed until Friday
Maurice Jarre, composer of Zhivago score, dies | Entertainment |
Credit crunch impairs theaters' digital vision
Islamic party holds huge election rally in Jakarta
Grenade damages home of Indonesian party leader
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01