Some remarks on the Kurdish issue

Denial and oppression of the Kurdish identity did give rise to the "PKK terror" and eventually claimed more than 30,000 lives between 1984-1998. Now after 5-years of a one sided truce, the PKK say that they have decided to start the attacks again. In fact, some terrorist attacks have already started in southeastern Anatolia.

On the other hand the present Turkish government, keen to receive a date for starting EU negotiations by the end of the year, has been recently struggling to solve the major issues of the "Kurdish problem."

Contrary to the past indifference and even refusal, the present government has attacked the issue positively on many grounds. They have passed laws allowing the use of the Kurdish language and names and broadcasting in the mother-tongue.

After 10 years of silence Turkey released the Kurdish deputies from jail. Thus Turkey has recently taken great steps in line with the Copenhagen Criteria. In fact, the good will of the government has been rewarded by the Kurdish people who increased their votes to the ruling AK Party in the local elections on March 2004 and decreased their support for DEHAP.

But alas! Those released deputies promptly started giving speeches encouraging terror and sorry to say taking a stance in favor of the PKK. I was waiting for them, on the contrary, to take a stance in favor of peace. The meetings held in Kurdish populated cities by DEHAP after their release were not received warmly by the local people and their harsh statements caused the loss of interest. Eventually it seems that DEHAP and the released deputies have understood their mistakes and have now softened their words.

I am convinced that some politicans and political parties can only produce policies of hatred and combat. Sharon of Israel, Arafat of Palestine, and Denktas of the Turkish-Cypriots know very well that they have no chance of success under peace andor full democracy. They always prefer to spread the word of combat and war. It seems that DEHAP also prefers combat and restlessness and do not understand the soul of liberal-democracy. It is very sad that they are now losing sympathy not only before Turks but also foreigners who have always tried to help the Kurds and more important they are threatening the Kurds themselves.