Why is Europe planning an operation against the PKK?
by
İDRİS BAL*

These operations are not as in depth as Turkey would like them to be, and they do not aim to completely eradicate the PKK from the countries that undertake them. But, regardless of their scope, it is very important that these operations are being carried out.

America’s role in operations against the PKK in various European countries, the steps it has taken to cut off the PKK’s financial resources, declaring PKK leaders in Europe drug barons, its cooperation with Turkey in counterterrorism and its appeal to the EU to take similar steps is integral to the operations in Europe.

Likewise, after the Sept. 11 attacks, terrorism was perceived as a global problem by a wider segment of society, and for the first time in its history Article 5 of the NATO Charter, which highlights that an armed attack against one ally should be considered an attack on all of them and the need for common defense, was invoked. This played a role, albeit a small one, in the change seen in the EU’s approach towards terrorism in the post-Sept. 11 attacks, when sensitivity towards terrorism had peaked.

The EU recognized the PKK as a terrorist organization in 2002. This made it necessary for member countries to put this recognition into practice and take the necessary steps; in other words, the countries were required to take measures against the PKK. The operations are significant in this respect as well.

But were the operations in Europe just an outcome of putting the decision made by the EU into practice? EU countries realized that the PKK was not only a terrorist organization but also a formation that smuggled drugs, people and weapons and created instability in their own countries as well. In this respect, these operations should not be seen as just efforts to cooperate with Turkey in fighting terrorism but regarded as steps EU countries must take for the sake of their own domestic security.

The operations in question are also important in terms of ensuring stability and integration in European countries. Citizens with Turkish roots in these countries are bothered by PKK activities and its collection of money by force, and they hold the administrations of their respective countries responsible for this situation. This consequently leads to a security weakness in these countries. They need to take precautionary measures against the PKK and steps to prevent harmful activities from being carried out in order to facilitate the integration of Turks in these countries and to ensure internal stability. There are even some PKK sympathizers who find PKK activities disturbing. That is because the PKK is not a single entity. There probably are people within the PKK who are in favor of laying down arms.

In Turkey, a new effort that no other administration has ever had the courage to implement has been launched under the name of a democratic initiative, which aims to finish off terrorism and improve democratic standards in Turkey. The initiative is multifaceted, focusing on the economy, politics, law and foreign policy as well. In this respect, Turkey aims to develop cooperation with neighboring countries, the US, European countries and other countries as well to fight terrorism and is engaging in intense efforts to persuade countries to this end. This is another reason why the operations in Europe are important.

Moreover, due to the PKK’s smuggling activities, money is flowing out of Europe. For every item that is smuggled into Europe, money is taken out of Europe. This economic cost displeases Europe.

It is a fact that counterterrorism operations in Europe are important for stability and integration within European countries and contribute to peace and stability both in Europe and the world. However, Europe’s stance against terrorism needs to based on principles instead of subjective reasons, and it must be sincere instead of hypocritical. It must be against terrorism and violence anywhere and everywhere. Emphasizing that nothing can justify terrorism is important not only for world peace but also to maintain brotherhood. It is also important in the context of Europe’s consistency within itself, its discourse and the efficiency of the developing European common foreign policy.