Circles led by the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) tend to regard the current situation as "an imposition from outside." Furthermore, they accuse the government of acting as a subcontractor of "others," and even of treason.Turkey has been feeling the impact of this external world since the Tanzimat era. Turkey did not introduce the multi-party regime of its own volition. We wanted to be a NATO member, and they imposed it on us, saying, "If you want to be a member, then you must start to democratize and introduce a multi-party regime." There is no need to list many examples, but let me give you a few.
The US caught terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan and handed him over to Turkish authorities. "We are delivering him to you, but you will not hang him," they said. During its election rallies, the MHP took a rope and waved it, claiming that they would "hang him." MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli became the deputy prime minister. The decision to hang Öcalan was never brought by the government to Parliament for final approval. It was kept at the Prime Ministry. Then, the death penalty was abolished. Mr. Bahçeli did not resign from government. If you act as a bully in a place without a balance of power, you will not obtain any results, but you will allow your dignity to be damaged.
Of course, there are external influences both in the Kurdish initiative and in the Armenian initiative. These two issues are essentially the ones that primarily concern us. If the US has failed to achieve its ends in Iraq or if the European Union wants these issues to be solved, then is it logical for Turkey not to solve these issues? There are many examples from the past, aren't there?
Like it or not, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is the only party that can settle these fundamental issues. There is no party other than the AK Party that can embrace the entire country. The CHP and the MHP are virtually nonexistent in the East and Southeast, having garnered only 5 percent of the vote. The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) is represented only in the East and the Southeast. This makes it possible for the common wisdom of the state to step in and take initiatives. Even if the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) goes on making unwanted statements about these initiatives, as was customary for it, the National Security Council (MGK) supports the process. In a nutshell, we can say that like the external outlook, the internal outlook is also suitable. The people in the region are still hopeful. Even nongovernmental organizations which have traditionally been at odds with the AK Party are now supporting the process.
Frankly, a new situation is at hand and there is no turning back from it. If the AK Party fails, the next government will be a coalition government of the CHP and the MHP. But if it succeeds and settles this issue and opens new horizons for democratization, then things will be harder for the CHP, the MHP and the DTP. This new platform will help Turkey see new political mentalities and new political formations. Mindsets will change in Turkey, dispensing with old habits. Democracy, the rule of law, human rights and freedoms will make their impression everywhere.
This initiative is full of potential, but its sincere proponents should be careful. The key words that will help this process succeed are patience, moderation, persuasion, style and procedures. If the process does not proceed gradually and slowly, by taking the majority of the general public into consideration and by taking measures against psychological warfare tactics, then things may come to a standstill. Considering how the funerals of martyrs, a well-known Ergenekon trick, are being held again, we feel the need to caution the government. There are some who act in haste out of enthusiasm. Haste makes waste. Some are trying to use the issue as an occasion to show or voice illogical proposals. And some fail to keep their mouths shut.
The government, too, should be careful. When the prime minister said, "Our interior minister will make a statement on Monday," what did you understand from this? Mr. Beşir Atalay provided no details in his speech. Why are the public's expectations being raised? To cause people to listen to Mr. Atalay and say, "The mountain gave birth to a mouse." We learned that the initiative will be discussed in detail when Parliament opens. This is the right thing to do.
Turkey is tired of the Kurdish issue. Let us not push the tired one uphill.
