Many PKK members traveled to Armenia after the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) launched cross-border operations in northern Iraq in February 2008 to eliminate PKK camps in the region. But as relations develop between Armenia and Turkey, members of the PKK currently living in Armenia are making plans to leave the country in search of a new safe haven.
A pro-PKK radio station that airs regular broadcasts for PKK circles recently announced on its Web site that Armenia is no longer a safe place to live and that PKK members should leave the country as soon as possible. Intelligence agencies have learned that Greek Cyprus is a possible new destination for members of the terrorist organization. After the US-based holdings and financial resources of three leaders of the PKK were seized due to suspected drug trafficking on Wednesday, the PKK is reportedly trying to get its financial resources out of Armenia quickly to avoid a new financial blow from that direction.
Turkish intelligence agencies have been monitoring pro-PKK TV and radio stations for a long time. The PKK has commanded its members through the Web site of a pro-PKK radio station to leave Armenia and head to Limassol, Cyprus.
It has also been reported that the PKK has camps called Gyumri, Yerevan, Lachin and Kalbajar -- all named after cities in Armenia and Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani territory -- near the Armenian-Turkish border. The PKK reportedly operates organizations including the Kurdish People and Religious Association, Yezidi Kurds Women Association and Kurdish International Cultural and Information Association to help sustain the PKK both financially and otherwise.
Intelligence agencies also report that the PKK has played a role in the intercontinental drug trade, exporting heroin to European countries from Afghanistan via Armenia and Iran.
Observers hypothesize that Armenian-Turkish diplomatic relations may grow to encompass bilateral cooperation on security measures after the Zurich Protocols are ratified by the two countries' parliaments. The fight against terrorism and drug trafficking will be leading items on the agenda for cooperation measures between Armenia and Turkey.
