Ankara uses Kurds and war threats for strengthening positions in region

PanARMENIAN.Net - "The situation in the region is extremely tensed and complicated by three factors: the Turkey-Iraq collision, Iran's nuclear program and strengthening of Turkey's role in the region. Armenia can't be indifferent about it," Ruben Safrastyan, Director of the Institute of the Oriental Studies, told a news conference in Yerevan.



"There are Armenian communities in all Middle East states and the RA Foreign Ministry should closely watch the developments. It Turkey launches a major cross-border operation in northern Iraq it will inevitably lead to greater tensions. The PKK is menacing Ankara. In July 2007, the ruling AKP used Kurds for gaining a victory. As result, 1/3 of Turkish MPs are ethnic Kurds. If the situation deteriorates AKP will lose a part of mandates," he said.



"War can deliver a heavy blow on the economy of southwest Turkey. The commodity turnover between Turkey and northern Iraq makes $2,5 - 3 billion with 200 thousand people engaged in business. Moreover, war would strain social problems in Turkey," he said. "With strong anti-Kurdish propaganda, Ankara uses Kurds and war threats to strengthen positions in the region."