Kurd leader decries U-turn on Southeast

 Contrary to his stance in the past, PMtoday finds himself saying ’Love it or leave it,’ says Ahmet Türk

When the Democratic Society Party, or DTP, entered Parliament with 20 deputies all elected independently, a wave of hope was riding in the country that the party could play a constructive role in the exerted efforts to end the terrorist attacks of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and to find a solution to the Kurdish issue.

However, the PKK’s deadly attacks against the civilians and military targets increased since last year, which caused an overall uproar both against the PKK and the DTP. Ahead of next year’s local elections, the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, has also harshened its stance against the DTP though only couple of years ago was proposing to solve the Kurdish issue through a new concept of "constitutional citizenship."

The Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review interviewed the DTP’s re-elected leader Ahmet Türk, known with his moderate views, about the recent developments and future projections of the party.

On the current quarrel between the DTP and the AKP, Türk put the blame on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who he criticized for adopting a chauvinist attitude toward the Kurdish issue.

"It was not the DTP who organized all these mass demonstrations against the PM during his trip to the region (Southeastern Anatolia). The people in the region are so sensitive and more political. The PM, in the past, said it was the state that made mistakes on the Kurdish issue. But today he found himself saying ’Love it or leave it.’ That’s why the people showed this reaction to him," Türk said.

For Türk, the Kurds had considered the AKP as a party non-linear with the state’s ideology and as a port where through which they could bring influence. "But today, they realize better that the AKP is sailing through the storm. And the PM cannot see this."

According to the experienced leader of the DTP, the reason for the PM’s policy change is the recent closure case against the ruling party.

"The state, from time-to-time, stages post-modern coups," Türk said. "The recent one was made against the AKP. They were obliged to make a deal with the state in return for not being shut down. If the other parties, Republican People’s Party, or CHP, and the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, would be strong in the southeast, the AKP would be closed. They were not closed because they were the only party powerful there. As a part of the deal, now the PM entirely changed his policy (on the Kurdish issue)."

As for the political objectives of the DTP, Türk made clear that they are not running behind an idea of a "federation." He said the party had no problem with the Turkish flag or the republic but underlined that "they were seeking a con-federalism."

"The confederation and con-federalism should not be confused. (...) Con-federalism is the improvement of the understanding of cooperation between the governments and non-governmental organizations of the Middle Eastern nations," Türk said.

"What we demand is democratic autonomy within the integrity of Turkey. Constitutional citizenship, strengthening local administrations É around more than half of the Kurdish population is living outside the region (Southeastern Anatolia). Furthermore we defend the brotherhood of the nations and our understanding is to live together. That’s what we call con-federalism," he explained.

Advises to PKK as well
Complicating the situation is the PKK’s terrorist activities since the mid-80s claiming the lives of around 40,000 people. Türk described this period "as painful for all" and confessed that their job was not easy. "The weapons should be denied as a means for solution. We openly say it to the PKK. The state also should get rid of the logic to solve it through using force," he said. Türk went beyond the current situation and argued that there were some circles within the state that does not want to end the problem since they profit from the conflict. When asked about their proposal to create a conflict-free environment, Türk points to democratic methods. "Look, none of our proposals harm the unity and the unitary system of the country. Some argue that our eyes are on the northern Iraq. No. Our eyes on Turkey and on the democratization of Turkey," he said.

On long-disputed proposal of mediating between the state and the PKK to end the conflict, Türk said they were ready to serve as a bridge but depicting this, as mediation was not appropriate. "We cannot find the solution if we cannot feel each others’ pain."

Progress not satisfactory
As for the democratic progress of Turkey regarding the recognition of the cultural rights of the Kurdish population of the country, Türk said the forward steps were taken as a result of the pressure from the European Union and their implementation was very unsatisfying. "In each city in the region around 30 party officials are under custody. I am also being prosecuted just because I said ’hello’ in Kurdish to my electorate, which is a violation of the law on political parties," he said. "The improvements should be made to win the hearts of the people and not for the EU," Türk said.

'Barzani will not fight against the PKK'
In the framework of Turkey’s fight against the PKK, recently the representatives of Turkey, Iraq and the United States alongside with the northern Iraqi administration officials met in Baghdad to discuss ways to combat the terrorists sheltered in northern Iraq. The participation of Iraqi Kurds was seen as a major step and important development that led scenarios that Massoud Barzani’s strong peshmarga troops will help Turkish troops to clear out the PKK.

For Türk, this will not happen. "There is an obvious pressure put on them (Iraqi Kurds), which obliged them to give concessions. But Barzani will not fight," Türk said. When reminded Barzani did in fact cooperate with Turkey against the PKK in mid-90s, Türk said, "Yes he did but later he saw the consequences. It has become hard for them to regain the hearts.""Neither forces from Baghdad nor those in the north can do anything. The forces of the north are our brothers, they cannot do much," Türk said. He also criticized Turkey for taking the issue international and advised to solve it through internal dynamics.

Does PM want to conquer Diyarbakır?
For many, the real source of Erdoğan’s furious statements against the DTP is his plan to win the local elections in Diyarbakır, the largest city in southeastern Anatolia. "This is simply the logic of conquering the city. Where do you conquer? This approach is not correct. Does he want to turn the elections into a referendum? Is he planning to promote himself in the international area by saying ’I have defeated the DTP there,’" Türk said.

Stayin’ alive?
Not only the quarrel with the AKP or the local elections, the DTP also is fighting to stay alive in the closure case filed against it. According to the Chief Prosecutor’s indictment, the DTP is the political wing of the PKK and has undeniable ties with the terrorists who are fighting to demolish the Republic. In the case of closing down the DTP, Türk said they could consider pulling out from the parliament. "No decision has been made yet, but we’re discussing this option very seriously. We have entered Parliament with the purpose of contributing to a solution that could be found by democratic ways. Closing our party will makes us the other and will leave no room for us to contribute," he said.