President Gul 8 July approved law extending civilian courts’ jurisdiction over military personnel despite strong objections from army. Second group of 56 suspects in “Ergenekon” coup plot case, including 2 retired generals, went on trial 20 July; trial postponed 21 July to 6 Aug. PKK 15 July announced renewal of unilateral ceasefire until 1 Sep, said jailed leader Ocalan to reveal “roadmap” to end conflict 15 Aug; PM Erdogan 22 July, interior minister 28 July said govt would pursue own solution to Kurdish issue as part of wider democratisation. 4 killed 6 July in Diyarbakir province, 1 soldier 21 July in Sirnak province, by bombs blamed on PKK; army said 3 PKK members killed 17 July in Hatay province. Kurdish activist Leyla Zana sentenced to 15 months for “PKK propaganda” 28 July. Turkey and 4 EU govts signed deal for Nabucco pipeline to supply Caspian/Mid-Eastern gas to Europe via Turkey 13 July.

Taraf newspaper 12 June revealed alleged plot by senior military officers for covert action to discredit ruling AKP, Fethullah Gulen Islamic movement, in order to protect Turkey’s “secular order”. AKP govt called for judicial investigation; PM Erdogan 16 June held talks with army head Basbug. Parliament approved extension of civilian courts’ jurisdiction to military personnel 26 June. Prosecutor 9 June requested justice ministry dismissal of fraud case against President Gul. Ankara court 15 June ordered reopening of case against DTP leader Turk for Feb illegal Kurdish speech in parliament. PKK 1 June announced extension of unilateral ceasefire to 15 July. 3 soldiers, 1 PKK member killed in 4, 13, 19 June clashes; air force bombed PKK in northern Iraq 7 June. Turkish, Iraqi military heads signed cooperation agreement 10 June. PM Erdogan 26 June said Turkey would not accept “partnership” as alternative to full EU membership. Taxation chapter of EU negotiations opened 30 June. Illegal immigration, military flights in Agean Sea increased Greece-Turkey tensions; Turkish PM Erdogan cancelled Greece visit for health reasons.

PM Erdoğan 1 May announced new cabinet; top adviser Davutoglu new FM. President Gul discussed Middle East peace, Israel-Syria talks, in Syria 15-18 May. 20,000 marched in anti-govt, pro-secularism rally in Ankara 17 May. Court 18 May ruled President Gül should stand trial for 1990s fraud case. 44 killed in 4 May massacre at wedding party in Mardin province, south east, attributed to family feud; perpetrators included members of govt-armed anti-PKK “village guards”. 5 killed 9 May by roadside bomb, Şırnak province; 3 PKK members, 2 village guards reported killed in 15 May clash, Siirt province; 6 PKK members killed Diyarbakır, Mus provinces 22, 24 May. 6 soldiers killed Hakkari 28 May by bomb blamed on PKK; Turkish air force 28 May bombed PKK positions in N Iraq. Over 30 suspected of PKK links arrested in major cities 28 May. Govt 8 May signed “Southern Corridor” pipeline agreement with EU (see Azerbaijan).

Foreign Ministry 22 Apr announced agreement on “roadmap” for normalisation of ties with Armenia following progress in Swiss-mediated talks (see Armenia/Turkey). Around 100 arrested in 14, 17 Apr  operations  targeting PKK supporters, including several pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) members. 2 pro-PKK protesters killed 4 Apr in clashes with police in South East. 2 soldiers, 7 PKK members reportedly killed 11 Apr in Şırnak region. 9 soldiers killed by roadside bomb in Diyarbakir province, another shot near Şemdinli 29 Apr; attacks blamed on PKK. Air force 29- 30 Apr bombed PKK bases in northern Iraq. 8 arrested 13 Apr, including academics, charged in “Ergenekon” coup plot case, sparking opposition criticism; 10 further arrests 22 Apr. Authorities arrested over 60 suspected al-Qaeda members in southern, central areas 9, 21 Apr. 3 killed, tens arrested in 27 Apr operation against far-left group in Istanbul. Far-left bomber arrested in Ankara 29 Apr after failed assassination attempt on former justice minister. At 21 Apr EU Troika meeting Turkey reaffirmed goal of opening 2 accession negotiations chapters on social policy, taxation end June.

Ruling AKP victorious in 29 March local elections, but by diminished margin. 5 killed, tens injured in election-related clashes. President Gul in Iraq 23-24 March urged joint action against PKK (see Iraq). Air strikes on PKK bases in north Iraq 12 March. FM Babacan 8 March said U.S. recognition of Armenian genocide would impede Turkey-Armenia reconciliation. Court 2 March allowed prosecution against organisers of Dec petition for apology over WWI Armenian massacres, overturning earlier rejection; prosecutors still need justice minister permission to proceed with case. 56 indicted 11 March in “Ergenekon” alleged coup plot case, bringing total on trial to over 140. Discovery of human remains in southeast led to several arrests for alleged security force killings of Kurds in 1990s, including active colonel 25 March. 5 arrested 7 March, 1 on trial 20 March for allegedly planning separate attacks on PM Erdogan at election rallies in Adana, Tekirdag. 3 suspected PKK members arrested Istanbul 21 March.

Kurdish protesters mid-Feb clashed with police in Istanbul, several south-eastern Kurdish cities after attempted dispersal of demonstrations marking 10th anniversary of arrest of PKK leader Ocalan – 86 detained in Diyarbakir. Pro- Kurdish DTP head Ahmet Turk sparked row with illegal use of Kurdish in 24 Feb speech to parliament. DTP MP Aysel Tugluk sentenced to 18 months 5 Feb for spreading PKK propaganda. 22 arrested in Istanbul 18 Feb for belonging to Hezbollah terrorist organisation (unconnected to Shiite Lebanese group). Military sources reported air raids on PKK positions in N Iraq 6 Feb; claimed 13 militants killed 13 Feb.

PM Erdogan visited Brussels for EU talks 19 Jan, called for “fair treatment” for Turkey in accession process and pledged progress in reforms; Commission President Barroso urged Turkish cooperation on EU energy supplies. New ministerial post for EU affairs created 9 Jan. Further arrests in case against “Ergenekon” network accused of coup plot; 18 arrested 7 Jan, 26 on 22 Jan, including former generals, police special unit officers; arms caches seized 9, 12 Jan. Opposition criticised arrests, alleging political motive; army chief of staff Ilker Basbug expressed concern in meetings with Erdogan and President Gul 8 Jan. Authorities dropped prosecution of leading intellectuals for online petition apologising for WW1 massacres of Armenians 26 Jan.

Group of over 200 Turkish intellectuals launched online petition calling on govt to apologise for Armenian genocide – PM Erdogan denounced move. Police 17 Dec arrested up to 30 suspected al-Qaeda members in Istanbul. Kurdish politician Leyla Zana sentenced to jail for 10 years for spreading PKK propaganda, has appealed. Blast outside AKP office in Istanbul 1 Dec left 6 injured; further small blast 8 Dec outside party office in Van. 3 soldiers killed, 17 injured in 24 Dec attack by PKK in Cizre. Army again hit PKK targets in northern Iraq 16 Dec, 27-28 Dec, as Ankara urged Baghdad 15 Dec to implement 3-phase plan to fight PKK militants. First 24-hour Kurdish-language TV station, TRT 6, launched 1 Jan.

Bomb attack 21 Nov set on fire Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline near Midyat – Kurdish rebels held responsible. Further signs of improving ties with Armenia as FM Babadjan met Armenian FM Nalbandian 24 Nov in Istanbul. EU Commission in key 9 Nov progress report praised Turkish regional foreign policy achievements but criticized lack of domestic reforms, including failings in press freedom and women’s rights. Istanbul pro-Kurdish rally blocked by police 2 Nov; 27 arrested. Yuksekova Police 2 Nov clashed with 3,000-strong rally protesting Erdogan visit to Kurdish-dominated region. 2 police left dead in 27 Nov PKK attack on Iskenderun police station. 3 soldiers, 4 PKK killed 19 Nov in separate clashes near Lice and in eastern Van province. 10 Nov cross-border strikes into Iraq.

Trial of 86 members of ultra-nationalist Ergenekon network accused of plotting coup started 20 Oct. Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin 14 Oct apologised for “ill treatment” following death of leftist activist Engin Ceber in police custody. Renewed strikes against PKK forces after 17 soldiers killed in 3 Oct attack on Aktütün border post near Iraq– deadliest attack in a year. Ambush on police bus 8 Oct in Diyarbakir region killed 5. Army reported at least 21 soldiers, 78 PKK dead in clashes throughout month. Further raids into northern Iraq after parliament 8 Oct extended mandate for cross-border strikes. Violent pro-PKK protests in several Kurdish southeastern towns targeted Erdogan visit to region and left 1 protester dead 20 Oct. Turkish officials 14 Oct in Baghdad met Kurdistan Regional Govt President Masoud Barzani – first such meeting. U.S. State Secretary Rice in separate meeting with Barzani 28 Oct discussed cooperation with Turkey against PKK fighters in north Iraq. Turkey 25 Oct won seat on UNSC.