Until today, they were able to keep gruesome attacks under control because they were able to keep the fires that were lit under control, and those who had ignited the fires did so in a limited fashion because they were able to reach their political targets. But this time it is different because the fire has been lit in our hearts. God forbid, but this fire could burn all of Turkey as well as those who ignited it.
I am referring to ethnic and religious fires.
I wonder if those who supported the PKK with their own hands realize they’ve started on a dark and bumpy road with no turning back. While history has no record of Turkish-Kurdish problems, today we are carrying the burden of a deepening polarization caused by a million different domestic and foreign plots, provocations and conspiracies.
If our nation is wounded by ethnic and religious differences, healing it will be long and difficult. The first terrifying explosion in Ankara’s Ulus district, which the chief of General Staff said can be expected to reoccur in major cities, cannot be brushed off by holding a subcontractor organization responsible. It is important that we all understand the timing of the bomb so let’s quickly recall a few points:
1. The presidential elections were turned into a regime debate and defamation campaign against the leading party. Smear campaigns that started during the Democrat Party administration between 1950 and 1960 were reintroduced.
2. Democracy was pushed to the side. The General Staff repeated its threat of military intervention. Like previous emergency cases, the media, the court and universities all intervened. Our common value, the flag, was waved during demonstrations as if waiving it against the enemy.
3. Rumors were released that the military would interfere despite the call for early elections, that a lawsuit would be filed to ban the AK Party and elections would not be held, creating a psychological war across the nation.
4. Threats were issued that in the event elections were held that the results would not be respected.
5. Some newspaper columns implied that a cross-border operation into northern Iraq would be launched during the chaotic election period and that a state of emergency would come into effect, that the public will would have no initiative and that Sezer’s extended tenure as president would make this process easier.
6. Significant party transfers were realized during the election period, confirming claims about creating a platform to make the CHP the sole leading party.
7. Claims that the PKK would attack during the election process to create chaos, that northern Iraq would provoke the intervention and that the secret plan was to push Turkey and the US apart have all gained significant currency.
8. Views that the potential chaos will accelerate the formation of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq and that plans for Turkey’s Southeast will be implemented easier have formed.
Let’s reconsider the bombing in Ulus in light of the points mentioned above. People with heart problems know that immediate intervention is required when there is something wrong with your pulse because blood vessels can burst. A part of the body can become paralyzed if the ruptured blood vessel bleeds into the brain. Unfortunately, Turkey’s stable pulse has changed overnight.
The prescription for Turkey’s problems is friendship across society, assistance, empowering compassion and embracing one another. Otherwise, we will not have the strength to put an end to these games.
