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The time has come for us to think about the post-elections period, instead of continuing to guess the outcome of the elections or discuss the presidency issue. We have postponed very important issues for after the elections. And the first among these postponed issues is the PKK-Kurdish issue, followed by the European Union project. I do not consider the presidency issue among the postponed issues, as I see it as being a part of the elections package.
I consider the PKK-Kurdish issue to be the most important one as it causes bloodshed and deaths. Moreover, the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) will come out of the elections and take its place in Parliament. This will be a development of utmost importance. So important that, just as a Parliament with the DTP under its roof can take major steps on the Kurdish issue, the tensions may even increase if, on the contrary, a careless manner is adopted. Because of this, our country will come to a new historical turn after the July 22 elections. If we can utilize it well, we will all win. But if we fall pray to populist ardors, we will lose. The most important aspect of this process will be to distinguish between the PKK and the Kurdish issue. In other words, it depends on where we will place the DTP. Will we see the DTP as a part of the PKK? Or will we see it as the political means to contribute to the solution of the Kurdish issue, the means to carry the region's problems about this to Parliament to be discussed and resolved? Just as in any issue, both sides are responsible for the solution. The DTP should be asking itself the same questions. During Parliament's tenure, will the DTP act as the political element of the PKK and its representative? Or will it work toward a solution to the Kurdish problem, not to have the country divided, but to the contrary, for its unity? The other very important element in this equilibrium will be the PKK. The PKK's approach will affect the DTP. The DTP's approach will, in turn, shape the other parties' attitude in Parliament, especially the Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP). In other words, we will be going through a very delicate period established on a very delicate equilibrium during this process. We will need to make changes to our points of view. If we do not want the DTP to act as the PKK's representative, we should be careful not to shove the DTP into the PKK's arms. We should also distinguish between the PKK and the Kurdish issue. If we cannot do this, we will turn the PKK into the sole respondent of the Kurdish issue. On the other hand, our interest lies with DTP's turning into a sole respondent of the Kurdish issue, and for the PKK to remain a terrorist organization. It is because the PKK sees this risk that it opposes the DTP's accession into Parliament. It would like to keep the key forever. In short, three actors will face each other in the upcoming period: The first is the PKK exhibiting its terrorist power; the second is the DTP, which has not achieved the necessary political maturity and loyalty from its voters; and a Turkey that has not yet decided what to do and where each of its organizations think differently. Turkey is the strongest among these three. However, in spite of its great power, it is a giant with weak points because of its lack of policy. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to form a mechanism to establish a unity of opinion, a global policy and coordination in the upcoming period regarding this vital issue for Turkey. Otherwise, this struggle may be lost. Let us not fool ourselves. The residents of the region see the PKK differently Finding a solution will be easier if we determine the facts correctly and bring them up without fear. For us, the PKK is a terrorist group. No one should doubt this. It kills innocent people; it tries to form a federal or independent Kurdistan within the borders of Turkey. This is unacceptable to us. But how do our Kurdish citizens see the PKK? A group of them do not see the PKK as a terrorist organization, due to various reasons. Some due to fear, but then, some sincerely see the PKK as a part of them. They do not see it as a gang of killers or as a murdering crowd. Of course, there are also those among them that see the PKK's other face. We do not know which group is in majority. But these are the facts. I believe the steps we will take will be more effective if we base our action on this fact. We cannot receive any results from our efforts, as long as we cannot cut the link between the PKK and the residents of the region, alienating the PKK. The way to realize this does not go through accumulating military in the region or an armed intervention into northern Iraq. We have been striving in arms for years but we have been unable to achieve any results. The PKK cannot get what it wants either, but it carries on with its bloodshed in the country. I do not speak of resolving the problem. But the only way for us to maintain the developments under control is to drain the swamp even if only by a little. Moreover, the military, the police force and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) are of the same opinion. However, an action cannot be taken. In short: Let us determine what the PKK is and how it is supported without fooling ourselves. Let us take action to fill in the blanks. In other words, let us take measures to make the residents of the region richer and re-establish security with different methods. But most importantly, let us get rid of the memorized and act courageously. Let us quit avoiding any responsibility by blaming foreign elements. |
