Yet there is mounting pressure on the government to rid Turkey of the burden of these pressing problems now. According to Sabah columnist Soli Özel, the very first thing the government should do is introduce an extensive political package that is aimed at finding a solution to the Kurdish problem, which has persisted since the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923. Regarding the content of such a package, he suggests that it should include an amnesty for members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), noting that it could be named something other than amnesty. “The details of such a package could be debated and a compromise could be reached on that. It could be said that hitting the PKK targets in northern Iraq has psychologically facilitated such a move,” he notes. In addition, he states that the government should prepare the public and make it aware of the importance of such a step. “Turkey can only be successful in its foreign policy if it treats its people as equal citizens and opens new areas of cooperation within the public. Even if Turkey reaps the benefits of being located in a strategic spot, it will not be sufficient to merely maintain the peace and welfare of the people,” says Özel.
Yeni Şafak’s Ali Bayramoğlu thinks there are two very crucial issues or “homework” in front of the government this year. He remarks that first the government should take steps toward the settlement of problems that have been left untouched and are regarded as “taboo,” like the Kurdish issue and the headscarf problem. “Taking steps means always keeping in mind the parties that are involved in the problem and seeking consensus and social legitimacy,” he explains, saying he thinks this could be achieved by opening the doors of social debate over everything, from political appointments to new laws. “If the political mechanism could take such steps, there is no doubt that the public would back them with democratic maturity,” he notes. As for the second most important thing the government should do, he points to a constant and sustainable democratization process. “Relations with the EU are important in this respect. There are dozens of subjects that should be reviewed with respect to both the EU acquis and practices. And the matter is not only about making legal changes but also strongly supporting these changes. Frankly, the public raised its voice sufficiently in 2007. Now it is the government’s turn to raise its democratic voice and make it heard all over the country,” states Bayramoğlu.
Radikal’s Tarhan Erdem also dwells on the urgency of addressing and finding a radical solution to the Kurdish problem this year. Acknowledging that the Democratic Society Party (DTP), which claims to be the representative of Kurdish citizens in Parliament, has a responsibility in this, he states that the government’s responsibility is bigger. “Much has been said about what should be done to resolve the Kurdish issue, and everybody seems to have an idea about it. The important thing is to adapt EU standards in the areas of human rights. The government should make this a priority,” he notes.
