Don’t wait for the PKK before taking a step...

With extreme difficulty and military methods, we are trying to oppress the PKK. We pressure the Democratic Society Party, or DTP, in order to isolate the PKK. We want the PKK to submit and accept our conditions. And they blackmail Turkey with terror weapons and imply, "Either you accept our wishes or we spill more blood."

As you see, an extremely long and complex process is ongoing. So then, why don’t we try to take into service our Kurdish origin citizens while leaving aside the PKK process or continuing alongside it?

To convince the PKK or force them into a solution is very difficult. But is it so difficult to draw those onto our side who are said to help the PKK but do not think like them, or even those Kurds who watch the PKK from a distance? No.

Why doesn’t Turkey try the easy way instead of the difficult one?

And what comes first in this regard is the mother tongue. Republican People's Party, or CHP, leader Deniz Baykal repeated this on his recent visit in the Southeast. He underlined that the Kurdish language needs to be legitimate, all limitations need to be lifted. What bothers our Kurdish citizens the most is that we do not allow them to use their mother tongue in education and communication. And this is what factionalizes them. I’m not sure if you are aware? A short while ago it was forbidden to speak Kurdish, to sing or listen to Kurdish music and name newborn children in Kurdish. Even Kurdish named villages were renamed.

Turkey thought that it would protect its integrity this way. Each Kurd was viewed as a member of the PKK, and Kurdish was viewed as a means of separatism. But times have changed.

Just as society views events differently now, it has a different opinion of the government. The military understood that it won’t get anywhere with weapons, that they have done the best they could and that it is now up to politicians.

No matter from which angle we look at it today’s environment compared to the one of five to 10 years ago is more suitable.

So then, what are we waiting for?

The state-run TRT, Turkish Radio and Television, which allows for Kurdish to be aired, will win the hearts of Kurds, except those of members of the PKK, by lifting all limitations Turkey imposed on the Kurdish language.

Renaming villages in their Kurdish version will only make those happy living there. To leave those alone who want to name their children in the Kurdish language will lead to winning the hearts of millions.

To allow Kurdish radio and TV broadcasts and to even encourage them, on the condition to conform to law, and lift limitations on Kurdish education will send a message to Kurdish citizens saying Ankara is ready to embrace them.

Eliminating old attitudes in the law and preventing lawsuits from prosecutors based on simple views like "pertaining to being Kurdish or supporting the PKK" will pave the way for easing Kurdish politicians.

To take these steps does neither require consultation nor negotiation with the PKK nor coming to terms with the DTP. The government decides and passes the necessary laws. But first of all, courage is a must.

We need to decide whether or not we want to live at ease with our Kurdish citizens and win their hearts. When making this decision we need to face criticism in a brave way. The AKP can do this.

However it doesn’t go all the way. What will force the PKK into a corner is such a change in attitude.

If only there is desire...