Prior to Erdoğan’s visit, the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) signaled that it would review its decision to boycott an upcoming referendum on government-sponsored reforms depending on the speech and pledges Erdoğan makes in Diyarbakır. However, Erdoğan downplayed the expectations about his Diyarbakır visit and said he would speak the same way he speaks in western provinces. Analysts, who wrote their columns prior to Erdoğan’s visit, say his job is tough in Diyarbakır because he needs to find a middle way to win the Kurds’ support and appreciation while not providing any trump cards to other political parties to attack him over his statements in Diyarbakır. Although Radikal’s Akif Beki says he knows Erdoğan will address the locals of Diyarbakır the way he addresses people in western provinces, he still expects Erdoğan to give a special message. “Wouldn’t it be nice if Erdoğan makes a promise about construction of a gorgeous school in Diyarbakır, for instance. Erdoğan may surprise those who gather in Diyarbakır’s İstasyon Square today. It is high time to get rid of that symbol of shame [Diyarbakır Prison, where thousands were tortured during the Sept. 12, 1980 coup process] that represent all the evils of Sept. 12. It is high time to turn that dark jail filled with the memories of hell into an enlightened school garden. Its presence in the city is a source of agony to all,” suggests Beki. He thinks hearing from the mouth of the prime minister that a 30-year symbol of shame will be demolished would be sufficient.
Sabah’s Emre Aköz says Erdoğan will certainly not speak with the discourse of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) or the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in Diyarbakır. If Erdoğan only pursues a “wallet policy” and talks about the investments made in the province, Aköz believes this will not help him break the boycott. “In the run-up to the 2009 local elections, Erdoğan pursued this policy, and his party only managed to garner half the number of votes cast for the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) despite all the investments made in the province. Today, we will see whether a discourse is possible that will flatter Kurds’ pride while not touching the nerves of the nationalists in the country’s west,” says Aköz.
Vatan’s Ruşen Çakır thinks the job for Erdoğan in Diyarbakır is difficult because on the one hand, he will try to win the hearts of the region’s public, while on the other, he will try not to anger other voters or provide any ammunition to other parties, mainly the MHP. “In consideration of this, it does not seem very likely that Erdoğan will meet any of the demands of the BDP that would prompt the party to reverse its decision to boycott the referendum,” says Çakır.
In Çakır’s view, Erdoğan is very likely to make an emotional speech in Diyarbakır that is full of talk about Diyarbakır Prison and the Sept. 12 military coup; however, he is unlikely to make any statements that will whet the MHP’s appetite.
Yeni Şafak’s Fehmi Koru thinks the existence of Diyarbakır Prison in the center of the province is sufficient for the Kurds’ to say “yes” in the referendum. He says the possible rejection of the reform package will affect Diyarbakır and its neighborhood most as the opportunity to settle accounts with coup plotters will have been lost. “Erdoğan should share his heart with Diyarbakır locals who come to listen to him, the way extending one’s heart to that of another is the shortest way,” says Koru.
