DIYARBAKIR: For 13 million plus Kurds living in Turkey's southeast, EU membership means a golden opportunity for more democracy in their conflict-weary region , where many fear a return of violence and unrest if Ankara is denied entry into the 25-nation bloc.

The region has had more than its share of blood and tears since 1984, when the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) took up arms against the government for self-rule, plunging the region into chaos.

But the atmosphere has changed dramatically over the past couple of years. Ankara, eager to catch up with European norms to ease its entry into the EU, introduced once-taboo reforms, allowing Kurdish-language programs on the state broadcaster and the creation of private schools that teach Kurdish.

With more rights to their credit thanks to the EU, the Kurds - whose very existence officialdom denied 10 years ago - are keeping their fingers crossed for a positive outcome from the December 16-17 summit of EU leaders who will decide whether to open membership talks with Turkey.

"I am hopeful that Turkey will obtain a date that will pave the way for more positive changes in the region," 43-year-old worker Ahmet Ataman said. "I fear the possibility that there will no date. Such a development will tear Turkey away from Europe," he added.

"I do not even want to consider that possibility," said Cevdet Polat, an unemployed 29-year-old. "That would butter the bread of those who oppose the EU." Hasan Cemal, an experienced journalist who wrote a book on the bloody history of Kurds in Turkey, agreed that failure by EU leaders to open accession talks would be very costly for the region.

"If there is no date, it will strengthen the hand of those who are against the EU and who flinch at the mere mention of Kurds. There will be a huge wave of anti-EU sentiment that will put a stop to democratic reforms," Cemal said. -AFP