Ruling AKP and govt remain under pressure due to stalling EU reform process, financial scandal. Approval of national program on EU integration delayed after cabinet sent draft to NGOs, opposition “for consultations”; EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn urged govt to speed up reforms of party laws. PM Erdogan called for boycott of Dogan media group outlet after newspapers reported AKP members were beneficiaries in fraud case involving German- based charity Lighthouse. President Gul presented planned Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform at UN 23 Sept. In ongoing investigation against ultra-nationalist Ergenekon network, 10 arrested including journalist Tuncay Ozkan. PKK-army clashes left 12 soldiers, village guards and at least 10 PKK dead over month.

In aftermath of resolved political crisis over potential party closure, AKP 18 Aug unveiled reform package for EU integration including constitutional changes. Chief prosecutor 6 Aug announced intent to file another case against AKP, some leaders. Govt-friendly commander Ilker Başbuğ named new army head. In wake of Georgia crisis (see Georgia), PM Erdogan launched plans for “Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform” to boost ties between 3 Caucasus states, Russia, Turkey. BTC (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan) oil pipeline shut down 5-21 Aug following explosion, fire near Refahiyet; PKK claimed responsibility – oil companies, govt say cause uncertain. Kurdish rebels targeted security forces including rocket attack at police station in Mus province 6 Aug killing 1; roadside bomb in Erzincan province 11 Aug leaving 9 dead; further 4 soldiers, 2 PKK killed in rocket attack on military station in Bingol province. Ongoing PKK-army clashes saw 29 PKK, 10 govt forces killed.

Political crisis averted as constitutional court judges 30 July ruled by narrow margin against AKP ban on charges of anti-secularism; but half of state aid cut. Istanbul hit by terrorism: 2 successive bombs 27 July in Gungoren district killed 17, injured at least 150; police claimed suspect had PKK links. Assault on U.S. embassy 9 July saw 3 police, 3 assailants dead; police arrested 10 suspects. Police 1, 23 July arrested some 46 alleged members of ultra-nationalist Ergenekon network accused of coup plot including 2 high-ranking retired generals. AKP member and former PM Abdullatif Sener quit party 11 July after announcing plans for new party 5 July. Rising number of PKK-army clashes in south eastern regions throughout month killed 10 soldiers, some 60 PKK; further 65 reported dead in 24, 28-30 July airstrikes into northern Iraq. PKK 8 July kidnapped 3 German climbers on Mount Ararat demanding end of crackdown on group in Germany – freed 20 July. PM Erdogan 10 July signed strategic agreement with Iraq to boost security ties.

Growing tensions between govt and judiciary as constitutional court 5 June reversed lift of headscarf ban; ruling AKP 16 June filed defence arguments in pending party ban case citing political motives, violation of European Court of Human Rights charter; trial started 1 July. PACE urged court to rule according to European principles, in 26 June special session called for work on new constitution, warned agencies should “seriously consider” re-opening monitoring procedure. Ragip Zarakolu convicted 5 years under revised article 301 for “insulting Turkish republic” after publishing book on Armenian genocide. Parliament speaker Toptan 12 June convened representatives of all parties in attempt to ease political tensions. 9 injured in 15 June blast at Istanbul cafe. Army strikes against PKK continued: 10 PKK claimed dead; at least 5 members of security forces killed in 14 clashes or explosions.

Judiciary and govt traded accusations in lead-up to Constitutional Court decisions on challenge to lifting headscarf ban, prosecutor’s application to close ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) expected June. Court 29 May banned only gay organisation LambdaIstanbul citing harm to public morality. PM Erdogan’s chief foreign policy adviser and Turkish special envoy for Iraq Murat Özcelik met Kurdish regional PM Nechirvan Barzani in Baghdad 2 May to improve relations. New series of strikes against Kurdish bases in northern Iraq 2-3 May killing 150 PKK and 10 May killing 19; latter followed killing of 6 troops in 9 May clashes. 4 people killed by landmine in Sason, Batman province, 2 further blasts in Bingol, Siirt provinces. Erdogan 27 May announced aid package for Kurdish regions. U.S. 30 May imposed financial sanctions on PKK. 505 arrested 1 May in Istanbul after security forces enforcing govt ban of May Day rallies clashed with left-wing groups.

Ruling AK Party announced working on democratisation package in effort to avoid party ban; parliament 29 Apr amended penal code article 301 – now crime to insult “Turkish nation” rather than “Turkishness”, maximum sentence lowered from 3 to 2 years and justice minister’s consent required to open investigation. Tens of thousands in 12 Apr Ankara rally in support of secularism. Prominent Kurdish rights activist Leyla Zana sentenced 2 years for spreading “terrorist” propaganda. EU Commission President Barroso said during 9-12 Apr visit opening of 2 further EU accession negotiation chapters likely June, called on govt to speed up reforms. FM Babacan 21 Apr announced Turkey ready to “normalise” relations with Armenia. 45 al-Qaeda members arrested 1 Apr in Istanbul. 27 PKK members, 3 Turkish soldiers killed in clashes throughout month in Sirnak, Hakkari, Bingol and Diyarbakir provinces; army 15, 23, 27 Apr bombed PKK targets in northern Iraq.

Police crackdown on Kurdish Newroz spring festival rallies 20-25 March left 2 protesters dead in Van and Yuksekova. 10 suspected PKK members killed in army raids 13 March. Artillery, airstrikes across Iraq border 27-28 March (see Iraq). Constitutional court to hear case brought by chief prosecutor Yalcinkaya to ban governing Justice and Development Party (AKP), suspend PM Erdogan, President Gul, 69 party members from politics for 5 years on charges of undermining secularism. Erdogan announced working on constitutional changes to complicate party closures. Human rights campaigner Eren Keskin 21 March sentenced 6 months, under penal code article 301 on denigration of “Turkishness”, for criticising army’s political influence; government postponed Article 301 amendments 10 March. Wave of arrests of alleged supporters of ultranationalist Ergenekon group: leader of leftist Turkish Workers’ Party Dogu Perincek detained 21 March, thousands protested charges against opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet editor Ilhan Selcuk in major cities 23 March. Authorities arrested 3 leftist Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front activists 9 March, suspected of terrorist attacks on U.S. companies. Iraq president Talabani 7 March in Ankara pledged cooperation in fight against PKK.

Turkish ground troops crossed into northern Iraq 21 Feb after air, artillery strikes in continuing campaign against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) bases, reportedly began troop pull-out 29 Feb(see Iraq). Following raid, PKK commander Bahoz Erdal called on Turkish Kurds to fight authorities in protest. U.S. Defense Sec. Gates called on Turkey 27 Feb to keep operation “very short”, 1-2 weeks at most. Controversial amendment to constitution to lift ban on women wearing headscarf in universities passed 9 Feb; decision being challenged in court, several universities resisting implementation.

Turkish warplanes bombed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) bases in northern Iraq 15 Jan. Fourth wave of cross-border aerial attacks since 16 Dec. Bomb explosion targeting military vehicle south east Turkey killed 7, including 5 school pupils, 3 Jan; PKK apologised. PM Erdogan 10 Jan announced plan to discuss EU bid with German Chancellor Merkel, French President Sarkozy early 2008. Ultranationalist gang members, including lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, arrested 26 Jan: reportedly sign of government determination to address crimes against Christians, intellectuals who challenge official line on WWI atrocities. Blast in unlicensed factory killed 19. Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) agreed 28 Jan to lift ban on women in university wearing headscarfs.

Military operations against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in south east Turkey and northern Iraq intensified: 13 PKK militants, 1 soldier killed in south east clashes 4-5 December; Turkish military claim hundreds of rebels killed in air strikes against PKK bases in northern Iraq 16, 22 and 26 December. 300 Turkish troops briefly crossed Iraqi border 16-17 December. Ankara promised to continue attacks 28 December. Iraqi Kurds said bombs hit 8 villages, killing at least 2 civilians. U.S. government stated Ankara warned of attacks; confirmed U.S. intelligence provided to assist in hunt for “common enemy”. Israeli defense forces reportedly planning to provide additional military assistance, including 10 aircraft, over coming weeks. EU’s 17 December statement urged Turkish restraint and called for dialogue with Iraq. Authorities arrested Kurdish nationalist Democratic Society Party (DTP) head Nurettin Demirtas 18 December for avoiding military service; supporters claimed move political. Some 19 detained for links with al-Qaeda after police operations across 4 cities late December.