Crisis on Greek Island of Kos - Why is Turkey off the hook?

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to understand the ongoing situation on the island of Kos, where 1000s of migrants (mostly Syrian and Afghani) have arrived from Turkey in the last few weeks. I've yet to read one article that examines why Turkey is allowing thousands of people to leave their shores via dingy. Doesn't Turkey have some responsibility for these people? Why is Greece getting bashed. In June they were on the brink of financial collapse. Can someone point me to some good articles that really explain the situation and how we got here? I mean, I get the reasons that people fled Syria and Afghanistan. But what's the Turkey connection and why does it seem that Turkey is off the hook?

[Anonymous]

They are basically just transiting through Turkey. I don't see how they are responsible.

[Anonymous]

but when all these people reach Greece or Italy or France, those countries are expected to register them and perhaps care for them. Again, why no Turkey? Are Turkish authorities policing the departure points along its coast? Apparently not?

[Anonymous]

you can never trust a turk. Madness they are in Nato. there is nothing 'north atlantic' about them.

[Anonymous]

I would ask - Why is Mexico letting their people leave and come across the border to the US. Or, Central America? Don’t these countries have responsibility for their people?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would ask - Why is Mexico letting their people leave and come across the border to the US. Or, Central America? Don’t these countries have responsibility for their people?

Central America is a country? When did that happen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would ask - Why is Mexico letting their people leave and come across the border to the US. Or, Central America? Don’t these countries have responsibility for their people?

Please stay on point. Different situations, different topography (water vs. land), different reasons for leaving (supposedly...war refugees vs. economic migrants), and the people leaving Turkey aren't Turkish, but migrants from other countries. If you don't have an answer to my question, fine, but start your own thread if you want to talk about Mexico and Central America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:but when all these people reach Greece or Italy or France, those countries are expected to register them and perhaps care for them. Again, why no Turkey? Are Turkish authorities policing the departure points along its coast? Apparently not?

Are you saying they have an obligation to close the border to Syria? That border must be at least 350 miles long and there are lots of people who go back and forth for legitimate purposes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are basically just transiting through Turkey. I don't see how they are responsible.

Yes, they want to get to places like Germany where they can get jobs. OP - Are you asking why Turkey is letting them leave (when they don't want to stay there)? Do you expect Turkey to force them to stay or return to Syria? I don't have the numbers, but I expect Turkey is coping with a much larger number than Greece right now.

[Anonymous]

So my guess is the refugees who arrived in Turkey were never registered or applied for asylum there? I guess I'm trying to understand the process. Refugee flees Syria by crossing into Turkey and traveling hundreds of miles while in Turkey to the coast where it is closest to Greece and then smugglers set them off in boats? And no where along the way are Turkish authorities involved?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So my guess is the refugees who arrived in Turkey were never registered or applied for asylum there? I guess I'm trying to understand the process. Refugee flees Syria by crossing into Turkey and traveling hundreds of miles while in Turkey to the coast where it is closest to Greece and then smugglers set them off in boats? And no where along the way are Turkish authorities involved?

I assume they do register them ... though takes a long time. What do you think they should be doing (more of)? There aren't enough jobs for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So my guess is the refugees who arrived in Turkey were never registered or applied for asylum there? I guess I'm trying to understand the process. Refugee flees Syria by crossing into Turkey and traveling hundreds of miles while in Turkey to the coast where it is closest to Greece and then smugglers set them off in boats? And no where along the way are Turkish authorities involved?

I assume they do register them ... though takes a long time. What do you think they should be doing (more of)? There aren't enough jobs for them.

I don't have good answers yet. I'm still trying to understand the situation so that I can form an opinion. I'm sure if I were Syrian and had any means whatsoever, I'd want to flee too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you can never trust a turk. Madness they are in Nato. there is nothing 'north atlantic' about them.

Mom, is that you?

There is some value in this argument, intolerant and steeped in centuries of Greek and Mediterranean oppression by Turks though it may be.

That said, Greece is getting bashed BECAUSE they are on the brink of financial collapse. However, the reality is that this has been the case for many years. Other than tourism, Greece has no real economy. The international economic downturn hit Greece hard because no one could afford to travel internationally. That combined with the costs of the Olympics has really hobbled Greece financially. And, to be blunt, Greece has never recovered from either the war or the communist regime.

[Anonymous]

Greece and turkey are the bitterest of enemies. Not saying whose in the right in this age old feud, but the Turks are hosting quite a few refugees I'm.sure they are all laughing each one that departs for Greece. Thats probably the case throughout Europe, keep passing them on til they get to their encampment by the channel and try to make it to England. What a mess. Much like ours.

[Anonymous]

Most of these migrants will not even stay in Greece. They are going to head north into Germany, Switzerland...countries that have a strong economy. I think the OP was wondering why Greece is responsible for registering them when most of them won't even stay there. Why isn't Turkey doing this since they are the first point of entry.