Not only has the world changed its position with respect to terrorism and terrorist organizations, Turkey has also evolved so that it will no longer allow any terrorist activity. For this reason, the PKK has been isolated, and its isolation will be exacerbated if it does not change its position.
Of course, in the post-Sept. 11 world, the US has redefined terrorism with an emphasis on its global aspects. Its combat against al-Qaeda has come to be regarded as a model for countries that are troubled by terrorist organizations. In this framework, it is no longer possible for the US to lend support to the PKK. Thus, Turkish-US relations have shifted so as to make things worse for the PKK. The process that culminated in the declaration by the US last week that PKK leaders Murat Karayılan and Zübeyir Aydar are drug dealers does not leave the PKK much room for maneuver.
Resorting to diplomatic means and implementing its democratic initiative, Turkey has managed to secure the support of the international community and can make moves to undermine terrorism. Thanks to these moves, the political support lent to the PKK by Europe is diminishing to zero. Indeed, with the democratic reforms it has undertaken in recent years, Turkey is leaving no room for criticism from Europe. Kurdish language training courses have been opened. Although these courses have been closed down due to a lack of sufficient interest, this has been recorded as a plus in Turkey's report card. The Turkish state has removed bans on the Kurdish language. A public TV station airing programs in the Kurdish language has been launched, paving the way for private TV stations to do the same. Kurdish songs are freely sung on every TV channel.
These bold steps have been followed by the launch of investigations into unresolved murders. In a trial launched in Diyarbakır, a court has begun to try people who overstepped their power and authority and undertook illegal activities against local people. Acid wells were reopened and the remains of people who were killed in unsolved murders were sought.
Several military officers on active duty have even been indicted in connection with these murders. As a result of the claims raised, a number of commanders are now standing trial.
Given all these developments, there is no longer a suitable ground for voicing such unfounded claims as "our people are being tyrannized" or "the cultural rights of our people are being denied." If the terrorist organization voices such claims, people can then ask it, "What more can the state do?" As the delicate problems that are exploited by the terrorist organization are dealt with one by one, the PKK is losing its persuasiveness.
This is also what happens abroad. Although it had managed to secure logistical support from countries in the region until very recently, the PKK will no longer find the same comfortable environment. When Turkey establishes close relations with Syria and makes a strategic partnership with northern Iraq and the central Iraqi state, can these countries lend the PKK support as easily as they did in the past? Of course not.
Thanks to Turkey's diplomatic barricade move, the PKK has been cornered in the mountains. It has nowhere to run and no one to take refuge in. Moreover, all the excuses are being eliminated one by one. Health problems suffered by members of the terrorist organization after staying in the mountains for extended periods of time are obvious. There is only one viable way out: a farewell to arms. This means coming down from the mountains and living like human beings in a country undergoing normalization.
Attempts by the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) to create a show out of the ceremony of handing over weapons are quite understandable given the rationale of the organization. The leaders of the organization know better than anyone the traumas that will follow their surrender. They need such shows to conceal this mood. At the same time, we must not ignore the process of coming down from the mountains by being distracted by these shows. In the final analysis, there is a process going on, and this is important.
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said, "I appreciate the PKK coming down from the mountains." And he is perfectly right. If this process goes on, we will no longer see the dead corpses of our young boys wrapped in flags. Only then will the true meaning of the democratic initiative that aims to make every individual a first class citizen be understood.
