5 March 2010 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, ANKARA
New Zealand’s foreign minister yesterday defended his country’s decision to classify the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a terrorist group, saying it stemmed from New Zealand’s desire to honor its obligations as a member of the international community.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully, speaking after talks with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoğlu, in Ankara, said his government saw the designation of the PKK as a terrorist group as an obligation under relevant UN resolutions. Last month, New Zealand listed the PKK and three other groups -- Spain’s Basque Homeland and Freedom (ETA) group, Colombia’s FARC leftist guerrilla group and the Somalia-based Al Shabaab, or Harakat al-Shabaab Mujahideen -- as terrorist organizations, making it possible to freeze their funds or assets and making it illegal for New Zealand citizens to help them. Prime Minister John Key said then that designating the groups as terrorist organizations reflects the country’s commitment to the international campaign against terrorism. Davutoğlu said New Zealand’s decision contributed to efforts to limit the room for terrorist organizations to maneuver. The two ministers also discussed bilateral ties, and McCully said Prime Minister Key would attend the annual Anzac Day commemoration ceremonies in Gallipoli this year.
