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Turkey Facing Challenges: Resolving Kurdish Problem

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  • Turkey Facing Challenges: Resolving Kurdish Problem

    TURKEY FACING CHALLENGES: RESOLVING KURDISH PROBLEM
    By Andranik Ispiryan

    Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
    Sept 14 2009
    Armenia

    Kind of "lull" was observed in the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement
    process from April 23 to August 31. That day, through Swiss mediation,
    Armenia and Turkey published the Protocols on normalizing the bilateral
    relations. It was during that "lull" that the Turkish authorities
    declared another initiative, which is of no less importance for the
    country. The Justice and Development Party announced the initiative
    to resolve the Kurdish problem as part of democratization processes
    in the country. Thus, Turkey decided to normalize its relations
    with Armenia simultaneously settling one of its domestic problems,
    the Kurdish problem.

    At present Turkey, particularly the Turkish authorities, is facing
    most serious challenges. Time will show how serious are the country's
    authorities intentions to resolve the two acute problems. Until
    recently, instead of resolving them, the Turkish authorities have
    been struggling against both for many years, wasting huge funds and
    efforts. According to some information in the Turkish press, Turkey
    has spent a total of U.S. $420 billion to flight against Kurdish
    insurgents over the last 30 years, to say nothing of millions spent
    on anti-Armenian propaganda at the international level. Moreover,
    various external forces regularly use now the Armenian factor now
    the Kurdish one to exert pressure on Turkey. By settling the issues
    Turkey will, to a certain extent, "get rid of the diktat." Furthermore,
    on one occasion Turkish Vice-Premier Bulent Arınc stated that, as
    soon as the issues have been settled, no one will be able to block
    Turkey's way, and the country will become more than a regional force.

    The issue of normalizing the Armenian-Turkish relations and the Kurdish
    problem seem alike in Turkey. The Turkish Opposition is vigorously
    opposing both the initiatives. The only difference is that internal
    pressure is being exerted on the process of resolving the Kurdish
    problem, whereas the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement process in mainly
    under external pressure.

    This year the intensely hot summer in Turkey saw no less intense
    political developments. The trials of the Ergenekon case, the plan
    of destroying the Justice and Development Party and Fethullah Gulen
    published in the press, a criminal group exposed in the Turkish
    Navy... And, with the resultant domestic political clashes, the
    official statements on the possible settlement of the Kurdish problem
    made by Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep
    Erdogan. Several months ago the Turkish President stated progress was
    expected in the Kurdish problem. Late this July, while in Kayseri,
    his home town, the Turkish leader stated that the Kurdish problem
    would be resolved in Turkey as a result of democratization.

    The Turkish Premier too made repeated statements on the Government's
    plans to resolve the problem. He stated that the details would be known
    before the end of this year. The Turkish Premier also stated that the
    problem would be resolved as the role of democratic values enhances in
    the country. In this context, Premier Erdogan agreed to meet with the
    only Kurdish member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Chairman
    of the Democratic Society Party Ahmet Turk. The Opposition was highly
    critical of that meeting and charged Erdogan with having actually
    met with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (Parti Karkerani Kurdistan,
    PKK). Thus, the Opposition identified the PKK with the Democratic
    Society Party. Moreover, disregarding the Opposition's charges,
    Erdogan stated that he would carry the plan through at any cost. And
    even after the clashes with Kurdish insurgents on September 8 claimed
    the lives of eight Turkish servicemen, Erdogan stated that nothing
    would stifle the settlement initiative.

    Two Turkish political parties are severely critical of the initiative:
    Deniz Bayka, Chairman of the Republican People's Party (Turkish:
    Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi or CHP), and Devlet Bahceli, Chairman
    of the Nationalist Movement Party (Turkish: Milliyetci Hareket
    Partisi, MHP), pronounced against Erdogan's initiative. Devlet
    Bahceli brought an especially grave charge against the Turkish
    Premier - ones of "partitioning" the country. The recriminations
    of Erdogan and Bahceli are even getting funny now! As part of the
    settlement plan, the Turkish leader Abdullah Gul, who visited the
    settlement of Guroymak (Kurdish: NorÅ~_în) is a district of Bitlis
    Province, Turkey, densely populated with Kurds, called it NorÅ~_în
    thereby provoking a new storm of charges on the part of Opposition,
    particularly Devlet Bahceli. Erdogan immediately responded, stating:
    "Alp Arslan conquered Manazkert (also Malazgirt, Malâzgird), but
    did not rename it though it was an Armenian name. So are you more
    of a nationalist than Alp Arslan? The founder of the Ottoman Empire,
    Osman, conquered Bilecik, but did not rename it. So are you more of a
    nationalist than Osman? Mustafa Kemal Ataturk made Ankara the capital,
    but did not rename it despite it is a Latin name. So are you more of
    a nationalist than Ataturk?"

    In their turn, the lawyers of the Justice and Development Party, who
    studied the charges Bahceli brought against Erdogan and his party,
    decided to lodge two claims against the leader of the Nationalist
    Movement Party - one on behalf of Recep Erdogan and the other on
    behalf of the party itself. A little later, the Parliament members
    of the Justice and Development Party lodged a claim against their
    colleagues representing the Nationalist Movement Party.

    The PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been imprisoned by the
    Turkish state since 1999 on İmralı Island, helps the settlement
    initiative with his advice. He addresses regular messages to his
    "companions-in-arms" through his lawyers. This summer Ocalan stated
    he was preparing "a roadmap" for settling the Kurdish problem and
    was going to present it soon. Late this August Ocalan's lawyer
    stated that on August 20 the "roadmap" was presented to the prison
    administration on August 20 and, after permission has been received,
    would be published. In one his messages Ocalan said that Kurds did not
    seek independence. Rather, they only wanted the Government to recognize
    them and they were ready to recognize the Government. According to
    him, Kurds would have two homelands, Turkey and Kurdistan. As part of
    Turkey, Kurdistan must have extensive powers. The "Ocalan-authored"
    roadmap is, according to him, is a 760-page document.

    On the other hand, Ocalan is "famous" for his "original" statements
    and publications. Specifically, he stated that the Turkish President
    and Premier asked his help in resolving the Kurdish problem. And,
    a rather strange coincidence: both Abdullah Gul and Recep Erdogan,
    who were in different places at the moment, simultaneously refuted
    that statement. Of interest is also Ocalan's response to the fierce
    opponents of the settlement of the Kurdish problem, Devlet Bahceli and
    Deniz Baykal. Addressing Bahceli, Ocalan said: "If forty million Kurds
    rise the State will come to its end." One of the Democratic Society
    Party members stated he would demand the separation of Kurdistan
    unless the Kurdish problem was resolved. Ocalan disliked the term
    "separation" and stated the party members did not understand what they
    were saying. He asked Premier Erdogan to speed up the settlement
    process. The Turkish press reported that the Turkish National
    Intelligence Service (Turkish: Milli Istihbarat Teskilati, MIT) was
    maintaining close contacts with the Imrali Island prisoner. The MIT
    disliked Ocalan's roadmap, which was remitted to revision.

    The only Kurdish party, DTP, with its 22-member- faction, is actively
    contributing to the settlement of the Kurdish problem. The DTP
    leader Ahmet Turk voiced his support for the Government-announced
    initiative. However, he stated that the key to the settlement of the
    Kurdish problem is in Ocalan's hands and urged the Government to take
    the fact into account.

    The Turkish Opposition represented by the CHP and MHP is rather
    hostile to the Democratic Society Party (DTP) - they believe it to be
    supportive of a terrorist organization. In response, at Kurdish rally
    in Van early this September, the DTP leader Anmet Turk addressed Devlet
    Bahceli and Deniz Baykal, stating they were incapable of anything even
    "of being shepherds."

    The development of the initiative to resolve the Kurdish problem is
    accompanied by events that could hardly be imagined over the last
    ten years. The Kurdish language had been forbidden until 1991 in
    Turkey. From now on, however, departments of the Kurdish language and
    literature are to be opened at Turkish universities, which has been
    approved by President Abdullah Gul. In the eastern parts of Turkey,
    the military posts have been removed - for many years they have been
    checking all the vehicles. In some south-eastern regions of Turkey
    the names of streets can now be seen in three languages: Turkish,
    Kurdish and Arabic. The Diyarbakır police stated they realize the
    need for knowing the Kurdish language. The military band of the local
    garrison participated in a function arranged in Diyarbakir early
    this month. Among other songs the band performed the well-known
    song "Cane-Cane" authored by brother of the leader of one of the
    PKK chapters.

    The latest developments in Turkey, as well as the authorities' plainly
    stated intentions to resolve the Kurdish problem at any cost, are
    evidence that the ruling forces will have to stand serious trials. A
    considerable part of Turkish society will support the authorities'
    initiative, viewing it a hope for peace in Turkey. Thousands of parents
    sending their sons to the Turkish army fear lest they fall victim to
    clashes with the PKK militants. In turn, many Kurds believe Erdogan
    will resolve their problems and peace will be established. Of course,
    some Kurds are distrustful and believe the developments to be another
    "simulation." So we can conclude that the Turkish Government's
    initiative to resolve the Kurdish problem has already brought
    about some improvements in the Turkish regions densely populated by
    Kurds. However, it is not yet clear how well the Turkish authorities
    will progress, considering the fact that they have yet to resolve
    another problem, namely, normalizing relations with Armenia.
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