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Dear Governor, From D2420 Turkey, I would like to convey my and my fellow Rotarians’ the greetings and best wishes for the new Rotary year to you and your District. The Peace Spring Counter-Terror operation that Turkey has embarked upon against the terrorist targets within the Syrian territory adjacent to Turkey’s borders has encountered considerable mis-perception and mis-representation by certain countries and public opinions which caused serious disappointment in Turkey, a committed NATO Ally since 1952. In this respect, the campaign of unfair and undue representation of the situation currently waged by certain circles in the United States in particular, has been a genuine source of outrage for all of us. Let us reaffirm unequivocally and with the greatest conviction that as Turkish citizens of all origins, Turks, Kurds, muslims, non-muslims, we have been living as one nation and equal citizens in Turkey without any discrimination under law. We share a common heritage of a thousands year-old shared history and geography which today manifest itself in all walks of life from neighborhoods to school yards, from business environment to private lives with shared values, hardships and happiness. In fact, Turks and Kurds are members of a great brethren. Turkey from the very outset of the Syrian civil war, has adopted an Open Doors policy for more than 4 million Syrians who took refuge in Turkey of which a considerable number is of Kurdish origin Syrians. Turkey has shared its resources and accommodations to the fullest extent possible under the supervision of all relevant international aid agencies, beginning with the UNHCR. However, we take strong exception to the unfounded accusations and innuendo waged against Turkey as if this operation were an act of an ethnic cleansing against the Kurds and consider it potentially poisonous for the existing relations of good faith among brotherly people. Turkey is firmly committed to fighting against terrorism originating from Syria. We have a proven track record in contributing to counter-terrorism efforts in Syria. We are a committed member of the Global Coalition against ISIS. In fact, Turkey is the only country to put a chest-to-chest combat against ISIS with boots on the ground. As such, the Peace Spring Operation is entirely aimed at combating and eradicating terrorist PYD/YPG encampments directly threate- ning Turkey’s borders and population. During the last two years, especially from the east of River Euphrates, we have been exposed to more than hundred cases of attacks or hostile acts by PYD/ YPG, the Syrian offshoot of PKK which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, EU and NATO. As a reminder, Turkey, a staunch NATO Ally since 1952, had already suffered from the terrorist acts of the PKK for the last four decades culminating in the loss of thousands of civilian lives as well as security forces. PYD/YPG has perpetrated terrorist attacks also within Syria and against Syrians. Northwest Syria is a particular case in point. More than 200 cases of attacks and killing or wounding of scores of civilians took place. PYD/YPG-affiliated elements assumed responsibility in these cases without hesitation. Our expectations and sensitivities regarding the PYD/YPG terror which were repeatedly shared with our Allies, have fallen on deaf ears and continued un- abated threatening Turkey’s security and safety. Our talks with the US on the establishment of a safe zone had remained inconclusive. Therefore, Turkey has decided to act on the basis of international law, in accordance with the right of self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions. The main objectives of this operation will be to ensure Turkey’s border security, neutralize terrorists in the region and save Syrians from the oppression and cruelty of these terrorists. Turkey notified the international community as well as Syrian Government and made clear that this was limited to a counter-terrorism operation. We reiterated our commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity and unity. The operation also aims to facilitate safe and voluntary returns of displaced Syrians. A safe zone free from terror will encourage these Syrians, including more than 300 thousand Syrian Kurds taking refuge in Turkey, to voluntarily return to their homes. Turkey has no plans whatsoever to modify the demographic structure in the operation area. It is the other way around. Our operation will give a chance to at least one million displaced Syrians, including Kurds, Arabs, Christians alike, to return to their ancestors’ lands after having been subject to ethnic cleansing by PYD/YPG. Turkey’s sole aspiration is to live in peace and security with its neighbours. Our Nation’s august principles in this respect are best symbolized in the solemn words of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: “Peace at Home, Peace at the World.” The first principle of the six focus points of our Rotary states “Peace and Conflict of Resolution”. Pursuant to this ideal, we deemed it imperative by Rotary of Turkey that the best way to inform our fellow Rotarians on this sensitive situation around the World would be to inform them by this statement. Dear Governor, we would appreciate that you access forwarding our letter of evaluation of the current situation to your club presidents. Yours sincerely, Rtn. Nezih BAYINDIR Governor, D-2420 08
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