Roses are being laid in front of Gül and banners writing “your presence here is enough for us” are being displayed. Gül’s presidency has created a new climate of interaction between the public and the state. But that’s not all. The 11th president of Turkey is eating the same food as the soldiers at a military base. He spent the evening at the Mountain Commando Brigade in Hakkari and woke up for the first pre-dawn meal of this Ramadan with the Turkish soldiers, called mehmetciks. That it is very touching. The Turkish president is under security ensured by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). The highly anticipated dreams are finally coming true. Many presidents and prime ministers had visited the region in the past. Many promises were made, but most of them were not kept. Despite the compounding disappointment, the local population is demonstrating that it is willing to trust the leaders and the government. This was the reason for the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) success in the East and Southeast on July 22. The local population is hopeful of stability, tranquility, and prosperity, but they will not be able to bear another disappointment. When juxtaposed with neighboring countries, such as Iraq, which are suffering from the pains of reconstruction, everyone is probably aware of what an historic opportunity Turkey has seized. I am referring to an opportunity that we have found at a time when Turkey has to implement a major governmental policy. We must take advantage of this opportunity every time a wound is opened in the Southeast. We can not afford to take the wrong steps whilst Iraq is being torn into pieces and our Kurdish citizens are being forced into undesirable conditions. We can not create policies with the mindset that Iraqi Kurds are our enemies, nor can we become an international actor by reusing debates on the constitution to polarize the public. We should perceive the bomb-laden van in Ankara found on the same day President Gül began his national tour as an important message. It is clear that some people are greatly bothered by the stability Turkey has achieved, its democratization steps and enthusiasm for development.
Whether you call it the Southeastern issue or the Kurdish problem, Turkey is in dire need of a solution. Starting the presidential tour from the eastern region is an indicative of the urgency for a required solution. Most of us concede that there is no single solution to counterterrorism. It is time for the frequently spoken of but oft-delayed cultural, economic and social breakthrough to happen. Van, Diyarbakır and Mardin should become centers of attraction. Diyarbakır should be perceived as the charm, as opposed to the fort, of the region. Diyarbakır’s success will translate into success in the entire region. The government should bombard the region with services while it has the support of the local population. It is certain that the democratization steps for Turkey’s EU membership bid will foster government efforts, weakening the ethnic-based political understanding in the region.
I am referring to the Democratic Society Party (DTP). It is trapped in a large contradiction. On one hand they have to listen to the orders coming from İmralı, and on the other take into consideration the local public’s demand for peace and stability. But regardless of everything, the DTP’s existence in Parliament should not be a reason for a clash. Pushing them into a corner will not resolve anything. But normalization will be difficult if DTP deputies are faced with provocations.
President Gül’s visit to the region has given birth to an historic opportunity to find a solution. If we don’t get caught up in arbitrarily created problems, then five years from now, Turkey will be a formidable force.
