It seems that the background of the whole process was based on careful preparation and planning. The only way to understand what has been going on is to read and interpret Turkey and the world properly. The following is my reading and interpretation:Turkey has been dealing with PKK terror since the first PKK raid against a military outpost in Eruh on Aug. 15, 1984. Twenty-five cross border operations have been conducted so far; some were called “Steel Operation,” while some others were called “Cleaning Operation.” Some 35,000 troops crossed the border and advanced 60 kilometers inwards in one of these operations. Turkey no longer had the opportunity to carry out operations after the US occupation in Iraq. The Turkish military is now only able to bomb empty mountains to the extent the US allows instant intelligence. Some $300 billion has been spent to fight terror so far in 25 years. Approximately 45,000 PKK militants were killed, whereas 5,000 troops were slain. However, the Kurdish issue is still alive despite the losses. It should be even noted that the issue that some called a terror problem has transcended the dimensions and boundaries of the definition of terror, becoming an intricate question involving different parameters; the ethnic-Kurdish movement was able to attract the support of the local people in recent elections.
It became evident that the Kurdish issue may not be resolved by reliance on violence and coercion. For this reason, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leaders are unable to offer any alternative solution, while they strongly oppose the recent initiatives. They first have to explain why they dramatically fail in the Southeast and East during elections.
To understand the whole issue and process better, the truth revealed by the Ergenekon investigation should also be taken into account. Recent efforts and work have revealed connections between the illegal groups within the state and the PKK terror organization. The court handling the Ergenekon case now asks for information from the General Staff and the police department about who sponsored the creation of the PKK and its probable connections and ties with Ergenekon. Subsequent investigations explore the role of Ergenekon in the massacres in Sivas, Çorum, Maraş, İstanbul and the bombing of the Cumhuriyet daily.
The success of the Ergenekon case is due to Turkey's march toward democratization. Without resolving the Kurdish issue, democratization is impossible.
The external side of the issue reveals two major realities: First, the US needs Turkey when getting out of Iraq. It is not a coincidence that the US authorities declared that PKK top administrators are drug smugglers.
Second, a new Turkey is emerging in the international arena. Joint committees of ministers meet in Syria and Iraq; Turkey plays significant roles in the alliance of civilizations, an international endeavor to achieve worldwide peace. Turkey, which has become a prominent energy corridor, is now able to act as a strategic asset for the European Union. EU authorities now stress that it is the EU that actually needs Turkey.
Whether they are called a pro-guardianship regime or pro-status quo, the major mistake of these actors is their failure to read the internal and external dynamics properly. Their era is over; however, they will never give up their efforts to sabotage democratic moves.
The Turkish nation should remain patient vis-à-vis the provocations and shows against the DTP. The greatest warrant for future Turkey is the noble stance of the reasonable majority. This stance will abort all plots and ill plans.
