The Workers' Party of Kurdistan (PKK)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Turkey
Introduction
The contemporary record indicates that like a contagious disease, terrorism offers no Immunity to individuals, communities, and nations. As a form of low-intensity political and strategic conflict In violation of law, It is becoming institutional, brutal, and global.
One of the primary targets of terrorism domestically and internationally is Turkey. During the past three years Turkey was among the "top five" countries attacked worldwide. It is precisely for thus reason that The George Washington University Terrorism Studies Program Initiated a research project in 1994 to study the challenge of terrorism to Turkey and Its implications for national, regional, and global security.
As a result of this effort, one report was published by the United States Global Strategy Council in September 1994 on the Workers' Party of Kurdistan (PKK), which poses the dominant terrorist threat to Turkey. The PKK, a Marxist-Leninist group, was established in the mid 1970s. It seeks to establish a distinct state In southeastern Turkey, which has a large population of Turkish Kurds. The following report Is an expansion of the earlier work and constitutes a preliminary portion of the research material to be Integrated into a larger study on Turkey and Terrorism to be completed in late 1996.
A research team from several universities contributed to this study. The project was coordinated by Michael P. Hankard and Saruhan S. Hatipoglu, under the guidance of Professor Yonah Alexander, Director of the Terrorism Studies Program, The George Washington University. It Is hoped that this report will stimulate further Interest In this important field of public concern.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Historical Background and Development
- Political and Strategic Objectives
- International Sources of Support
- Targets and Activities
- The PKK's Role in International Drug Trafficking
- Conclusion: What's Next?