Turkey launches peace plan to end conflict with KurdsNovember 14, 2009 - 10:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Government has formally launched a peace plan to try to end the conflict in the mainly Kurdish south-east of the country. Reform package, including freedom to use the Kurdish language. was submitted to Parliament by Interior Minister Beşir Atalay."We want everyone in this country to be treated equally," he said, but then warned that there would need to be a complete change in the mindset of the Turkish people to achieve that goal. But throughout his half-hour speech, Mr Atalay refused to refer specifically to the Kurds, whose resistance to the Turkish state is the real reason for these reforms. Instead he chose to describe them as primarily for combating terrorism and preserving national unity. The ferocious criticism the government has received over its initiative has clearly made it nervous, despite its commanding majority in parliament. Turkish nationalists claim that changes pose threat to Turkey's unity. The leader of one nationalist party accused the government of lacking the courage to fight terrorism head-on, BBC reports. Kurdish minority's fight for independence has lasted 30 years, taking lives of more than 40 thousand people. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | IDBank, Dalma team up for Caucasian Deer Reintroduction Program IDBank has joined Dalma Garden Mall’s Green Challenge to support the Caucasian red deer reintroduction project. Through Ucom’s support the 12th Sunchild Festival concludes On May 24-28, with the support of Ucom, the 12th international environmental festival Sunchild took place in Yerevan. U.S., Turkey emphasize importance of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal Jake Sullivan and Akif Cagatay Kilic have discussed the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia coach expects good football in Slovenia friendly The Armenian national team has left for Ljubljana a friendly match against Slovenia on June 4. |