Jailed separatist PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan 29 May reportedly abandoned efforts to seek dialogue with govt. PKK increased attacks in southeast over month after spring thaw: rocket attack on Iskenderun naval base 31 May killed 6 soldiers, injured 7; 7 members of security forces killed 29 May in clashes with rebels near Iraqi border. Earlier, in response to PKK incursions, including 7 May killing of 2 soldiers in Daglica area, Turkish airstrikes 7 May, 20 May killed at least 24 rebels in Northern Iraq. Parliament 6 May approved constitutional reform bill but failed to reach 2/3 majority triggering 12 Sept public referendum on amendments. Govt 7 May said reforms will help meet EU accession requirements, CHP opposition 16 May criticised bill as undermining secular courts. Parliament 3 May rejected govt proposal to make it harder for Constitutional Court to ban political parties on grounds of safeguarding constitutional integrity. Turkish-Israeli relations deteriorated following deaths of at least 9 people in 31 May Israeli raid on Gaza aid flotilla; Turkish nationals comprised majority of activists; around 10,000 marched in Istanbul (see Israel/ Occupied Palestinian Territories). Turkey 17 May joined Brazil in brokering new nuclear fuel swap deal with Iran (see Iran).

Parliament 19 Apr began debating AKP govt’s constitutional amendment package, including greater executive authority over judiciary, limits on courts’ ability to ban parties, allowing trial of military officers in civilian courts. Opposition parties including CHP stayed away from debates, vowed to challenge amendments in Constitutional Court. Chief prosecutor Yalcinkaya 9 Apr criticised proposed amendments as undemocratic, politicising judiciary, but backed away from opening new case to close down AKP. Istanbul head prosecutor 6 Apr dismissed prosecutors responsible for ordering sweeping arrests of military officers accused in anti-govt plot case. Kurdish former MP Leyla Zana 8 Apr sentenced to 3 years for spreading propaganda for militant group PKK. Thousands demonstrated in Istanbul, eastern cities 13 Apr in protest at assault on former leader of banned Kurdish party DTP; clashes with police reported in some cities. PKK attack in Samsun province 17 Apr killed 2 policemen. 2 soldiers killed 29 Apr in clash with PKK, Hakkari province; PKK attack in Tunceli province 30 Apr killed 4 soldiers.

AKP government presented constitutional reform proposals to parliament late month. Draft reform package, including restricting Constitutional Court’s ability to ban parties, greater govt oversight of judicial appointments, granting civilian courts jurisdiction over military personnel, criticised by senior judges as erosion of judicial independence. Govt promised referendum if opposition parties prevent two-thirds majority necessary to pass measures. Indictment of 33 officers for alleged “Cage” plot to destabilise AKP govt by attacking minorities reported 16 March. Arrests continued in “Ergenekon” coup plot case, including 20 military officers 18 March; 10 arrests 22 March. Soldier killed in 14 March clash with PKK, 3 more died in 30 March bomb explosion, Hakkari province. 22 suspected al-Qaeda militants arrested in central Anatolia, 29 March.

Army-govt tensions rose sharply after at least 60 high-ranking former and serving military officers detained 22, 26 Feb in connection with alleged 2003 “Sledgehammer” coup plan against AKP govt revealed in Jan; 14 formally charged 24, 26 Feb. State prosecutor arrested 17 Feb in ongoing Ergenekon anti-govt plot case. Opponents of AKP criticised arrest as politically motivated; prosecutor who ordered arrest sanctioned by judicial council. Naval officers among 19 suspects arrested in related case 5 Feb. Kurdish protesters clashed with police in Diyarbakir, Istanbul on 15 Feb anniversary of arrest of PKK armed group’s leader Ocalan; in run-up to anniversary over 80 arrested in south east. Editor of Kurdish paper 10 Feb received 21-yr sentence for pro-PKK content; 16 members of recently banned DTP arrested 3 Feb for alleged PKK links. 6 suspected al-Qaeda members arrested in Adana 3 Feb after shots fired at U.S. embassy. 10 Feb European Parliament report on Turkish EU accession bid criticised failure to open ports to Cyprus, called on Turkey to withdraw troops from Varosha and hand over town to Greek Cypriots.

20 detained in SE for alleged links to PKK 5 Jan; 60 more arrested in SE, Istanbul 23 Jan. Police clashed with protesters at 23 Jan rallies for recently banned Kurdish party DTP in Yuksekova, Dogubeyazit. 120 al-Qaeda suspects arrested in simultaneous operations across country 22 Jan; operation followed mid-month arrest of 30 suspects in Ankara, Adana. Constitutional Court 21 Jan overturned law allowing military personnel to be tried in civilian courts. 17 more suspects charged 27 Jan in ongoing “Ergenekon” coup plot case. Army chief of staff 25 Jan rejected newspaper allegations of 2003 anti-govt coup plot. PM Erdogan criticised Israel during 11 Jan visit of Lebanese PM for threatening peace. Following diplomatic row over Israeli treatment of Turkish ambassador 11 Jan, Israel formally apologised 13 Jan; Israeli Defence Minister Barak discussed continuation of strategic partnership at high-level talks in Turkey 17 Jan.

Govt-sponsored “Kurdish initiative” set back after PKK ambush 7 Dec killed 7 soldiers in Tokat province. In further setback, Constitutional Court 11 Dec banned Kurdish party DTP for cooperating with PKK armed group; ruling banned 37 DTP members from politics for 5 yrs, expelled leaders from parliament. Move criticised by PM Erdogan; EU also expressed concern. Interior Minister Atalay 17 Dec said govt would pursue Kurdish initiative. Ban led to continued unrest in mainly Kurdish south east, other major cities; 2 protestors killed in Mus province clashes 15 Dec. 35 former DTP members, including mayors, detained 24-25 Dec for alleged links to PKK. Protests held early month in south-eastern cities over detention conditions of PKK leader Ocalan; 2 protesters killed. 2 special forces officers arrested 19 Dec, 8 more 26 Dec, on suspicion of plot against deputy PM Arinc; all subsequently released. Cyprus FM 8 Dec said would impose conditions on opening of further 6 chapters in EU accession negotiations. EU 21 Dec opened Environment chapter, bringing total chapters opened to 12 out of 35.

Interior Minister Besir Atalay 10 Nov presented govt initiative before parliament for resolving Kurdish conflict through greater minority rights, amid strong protests from main opposition parties. Second group of 8 PKK members surrendered to authorities 11 Nov after return from N Iraq. Rally by pro-Kurdish DTP in western city Izmir 22 Nov sparked clashes. Naval colonel briefly detained 11 Nov in connection with alleged plot to discredit AKP govt revealed in June. Chief prosecutor midmonth launched investigation into allegedly politically motivated govt wiretaps of senior politicians, judiciary officials. European Parliament 26 Nov adopted draft European Council document before Dec summit, omitting sanctions against Turkey for failing to open ports to Greek Cypriot traffic.

Over 20,000 Kurdish demonstrators 2 Sept called for peace talks with rebel PKK, greater language rights in Diyarbakir, Istanbul demonstrations; 10,000 marched again in Diyarbakir, 25 Sept. 10 soldiers killed in 3 separate clashes with PKK 8-9 Sept in Hakkari, Siirt provinces. Army leaders 18 Sept requested extension of mandate for anti-PKK operations in northern Iraq past Oct expiry date. Govt 7 Sept imposed $2.5bn fine on critical Dogan media group for unpaid taxes; critics suggested political motive; EU, OSCE expressed concern for media freedom 10, 16 Sept. First session held 7 Sept in third indictment of ongoing “Ergenekon” coup plot case. 6 suspects in 2003 al-Qaeda Istanbul bombings arrested 16 Sept. Agreement with Syria on ending visa requirements, economic cooperation signed 16 Sept.

AKP govt worked to build consensus behind resolving Kurdish conflict through greater rights for Kurds, including meeting between PM Erdoğan, pro-Kurdish DTP party leader 5 Aug. Erdoğan made major 11 Aug speech reaching out to Kurds; talked-of measures include wider use of Kurdish language. Senior ruling AKP member 12 Aug suggested pardon for PKK militants, exile of group leaders. Jailed PKK leader Ocalan’s “roadmap” to end conflict handed over to prison administration 20 Aug according to lawyers, pending delivery to relevant authorities and media. Opposition CHP, MHP refused to meet govt to discuss initiative. 1 policeman died 15 Aug after clashes with demonstrators, Adana, on 25th anniversary of PKK uprising. 1 PKK member, 1 soldier killed in 8 Aug attack, Hatay province; 4 soldiers killed in 30 Aug clash with PKK, Hakkari province. 52 more suspects indicted 5 Aug for coup plot against ruling AKP in ongoing “Ergenekon” case. Turkey, Armenia 31 Aug announced breakthrough on protocols to normalise relations (see Armenia/Turkey). During 6 Aug visit by Russian PM Putin, Russia, Turkey signed agreement to allow South Stream underwater gas pipeline to run from Russia to Bulgaria supplying gas to EU through Turkish Black Sea waters.