Army announced 1 December had carried out hot pursuit operation on 50-60 PKK group inside Northern Iraq. Announcement followed November decline in Turkish threats of major military incursion into Northern Iraq following high- level contact with, and assurances from, U.S. civilian and military leadership on intelligence sharing and pressure on North Iraqi leadership; PM Erdogan met U.S. President Bush 5 November. Kurdish nationalist Democratic Society Party came under pressure to publicly side with state against PKK; constitutional court agreed to consider state prosecutor request for party closure 23 November. Decision followed prosecutors’ launch of proceedings to lift immunity of 3 MPs who travelled to Northern Iraq to accept 4 November PKK release of 8 kidnapped soldiers. Released soldiers charged with neglect of duty and disobedience. Annual EU report on accession process criticised lack of progress on freedom of expression and religion, but positive on democratic solution to year’s political tensions.

Tense month as Ankara stepped up threats to launch major anti-PKK offensive into Iraq unless action taken against group by Iraqi regional and national authorities and U.S.; parliament gave government 1-year authorisation for cross- border action 17 October. FM Babacan communicated 6 demands in Baghdad for “concrete action” against PKK. After initial hardline comments by Iraq President Talabani, Iraqi officials pledged cooperation in flurry of bilateral ministerial meetings; Iraqi PM al-Maliki called for halt to PKK presence on Iraqi soil and FM Zebari pledged checkpoints to stop supplies to PKK. Turkey rejected as inadequate offer by visiting Iraqi officials of new coalition bases near mountain ranges used by PKK. Tensions rose further after 12 soldiers killed, 8 abducted by PKK 21 October. Mass protests against Kurdish separatism held throughout country and in Turkish diaspora; pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party buildings attacked by protestors; some 20 violent incidents in all. Army stepped up operations and massed troops in border region, shelling Northern Iraq villages and mounting air strikes on border mountain passes; said over 80 PKK rebels and 34 soldiers killed on Turkish territory over month. PM Erdogan and U.S. President Bush due to meet 5 November; U.S. Sec. State Rice to visit Ankara 2 November and Turkey to host Iraq neighbours meeting in Istanbul 2-3 November. Ankara recalled ambassador to Washington in protest of 10 October U.S. congressional committee vote condemning Armenian genocide; full House of Representatives vote postponed. EU Turkey accession progress report due 6 November.

Government continued drafting new “civilian” constitution to replace 1982 post-coup document; civil society groups criticised lack of transparency. PM Erdogan called for easing university headscarf ban, prompting opposition accusations constitutional changes cover for Islamist agenda. Clashes between armed forces and PKK continued in South East, including military operation in Sirnak, Hakkari and Siirt provinces in which 11 PKK militants reported dead 14-21 September and suicide attack on Tunceli gendarmerie station which killed 1 soldier 25 September. PKK minibus attack in Sirnak left 12 dead 29 September. Visiting Iraqi Interior Minister Bolani signed security agreement 28 September; provisions allowing Turkish troop cross-border “hot pursuit” dropped after sides unable to agree conditions.

In victory for democratic process, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul elected president by parliament, after third round of voting, 28 August. Gul approved new cabinet submitted by PM Erdogan next day. Army reiterated ready to act against attacks on secularism 27 August. New parliament, sworn in 4 August, also elected centre right veteran Koksal Toptan as speaker 9 August. 24 Kurdish nationalist deputies formed Democratic Society Party bloc in parliament; leader shook hands with right-wing Nationalist Action Party leader. Iraqi PM Maliki visited Ankara 7 August, signing memorandum of understanding on ending PKK access to Northern Iraq mountain bases. South east clashes continued with at least 5 soldiers and 15 militants reportedly killed. French President Sarkozy appeared to moderate stance against Turkish EU membership process 27 August, linking acceptance of further negotiations to call for EU committee on eventual EU borders.

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) won decisive victory in 22 July parliamentary elections, with 46.7% vote, 341 of 550 seats. Republican People’s Party and Nationalist Action Party won 112 and 71 seats respectively. Democratic Society Party candidates, Kurdish nationalists running independently to circumvent 10% party threshold, to form 20-strong grouping. Constitutional Court 5 July rejected President Sezer’s and opposition appeals of government plans to hold referendum on direct election of president. Referendum scheduled October, but new president due to be elected by parliament within 30 days. Previous candidate, Foreign Minister Gul, signalled may run again. Trial of 18 accused of involvement in January murder of journalist Hrant Dink began 2 July. Clashes between army and PKK continued in south east, with tensions high on Iraq border where troop levels continued to increase. Turkey shelled into northern Iraq, notably with 100 shells near Zakho 18 July, day after 3 Turkish soldiers killed by roadside bomb. Baghdad accused Turkish air force of bombing Iraqi mountains.

Political situation remained tense ahead of 22 July parliamentary elections. President Sezer referred proposal to elect president by popular vote to referendum, but blocked government moves to hold referendum 22 July. Security situation in south east further deteriorated as increased rebel attacks saw over 50 killed, including 4 June rocket and grenade attack on military base in Tunceli which killed 7 soldiers. 14 injured in bomb explosion in Istanbul 10 June. Army and government reiterated threats of major military operation into Northern Iraq against PKK; NATO, EU called for restraint. EU agreed to open 2 new negotiating chapters with Turkey on statistics and financial control, but delayed opening of talks on economic and monetary policy after French objections.

Constitutional Court declared parliamentary vote in favour of presidential candidate Abdullah Gul unconstitutional 1 May. Gul withdrew candidacy but uncertainty grew as government called early parliamentary elections for 22 July and parliament passed constitutional reform package including provisions for popular election of president. President Sezer vetoed package 25 May; parliament readopted election provisions 31 May. Further anti-government/pro-secular rallies held in Izmir, Manisa, Samsun and Denizli. Suicide bomber killed 6 in Ankara 22 May; police said dead suspect had PKK ties. Casualties in clashes between armed forces and PKK continued, including 7 soldiers in mine explosion 24 May and 10 rebels 29 May. PM Erdogan signalled parliament ready to support any military decision to launch cross-border attack on PKK in Northern Iraq amid military build-up on border. Ankara warned U.S. against further airspace violations after 2 U.S. fighter jets entered Turkish airspace over Iraq border 24 May.

Armed forces issued web statement 27 April, warning would resist “mounting” efforts to undermine secular republic. Constitutional Court decision on constitutionality of first round vote on ruling AK Party presidential nominee FM Abdullah Gul due 1 April. Gul’s nomination ended months of speculation that PM Erdogan would run, but constitutional objection brought by opposition Republican People’s Party, hoping to trigger early parliamentary elections. 300,000 demonstrated in defence of secularism in Ankara 14 April; additional million protested 29 April in Istanbul. Army chief of staff Buyukanit announced military ready to attack PKK in Northern Iraq, pending political decision, 12 April. Military reported at least 11 soldiers and 38 rebels killed in clashes in 4 weeks to 21 April; further clashes left at least 2 soldiers, 5 rebels dead. 3 Christians working in publishing house in Malatya, including 1 German, killed 18 April. 5 students charged, further arrests. Attempted assassination of Higher Education Council President Tezic 25 April. Government presented EU accession road map 17 April; EU declined to approve FM Gul’s proposed 2013 accession date. At least 580 detained during May Day protests in Istanbul.

Ongoing clashes between armed forces and PKK in south east left at least 7 dead. Cases against pro-Kurdish politicians increased, including Van court sentencing of Hakkari Mayor Metin Tekce to 7 years prison for denying PKK terrorist organisation and 6-month sentence to Democratic Society Party leader Ahmet Turk for referring to jailed PKK leader as “Mr/esteemed Ocalan”. Investigation launched after opposition claimed PM Erdogan had referred to Ocalan in same way during 2000 interview. 300 detained but no major violence during Nevruz holiday period, associated in past with clashes over Kurdish issue. Land forces Chief General Ilker Basbug said Turkey has legal right to act against PKK in Northern Iraq.

FM Gul and Chief of Staff Buyukanit made separate visits to U.S. to voice Ankara’s concerns over PKK presence in Northern Iraq, urge delay to planned Kirkuk referendum, and protest proposed U.S. Congress resolution recognising Armenian genocide. 8 now charged over killing of journalist Hrant Dink; concerns over investigation and collusion heightened with video of police posing with chief suspect and Turkish flag; 4 officers suspended 2 February. Istanbul court sentenced 7 suspected al-Qaeda members to life for 2003 suicide attacks on synagogues, British consulate and HSBC bank. Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Turk and deputy Aysel Tugluk sentenced to 1.5 years prison for 2006 Kurdish-language leaflets. Diyarbakir DTP head Hilmi Aydogdu arrested 23 February for media comments on Kirkuk question. 4 former MPs imprisoned 1994-2004 for pro-Kurdish activities marked return to politics at 28 February DTP congress.