Observers expect concrete steps in Kurdish plan

Atalay said Turkey is determined to take steps toward “democratization” and is open to suggestions in this process. He did not give details of the plan or say when it will be announced. He also said the government will not be copying international models but developing a model of its own that will be unique to Turkey and its circumstances.

Altan Tan, a Kurdish author, said he is optimistic about the initiative. “We can say that this has been the most positive speech, given the general political approach pursued until now. There is now an expectation in the society for some concrete steps.” He said the government could have, just as an expression of good will, taken a concrete step in restoring the Kurdish names of towns and villages. “They have been in government for seven years. Have they made no preparations?”

Galip Ensarioğlu, chairman of the Diyarbakır Trade and Industry Chamber (DTSO), said he was pleased by Atalay's speech. “This is what we were hoping for. For us, all of Atalay's words were very positive but especially the idea of talking with everyone and his points about developing a uniquely Turkish model for the solution and making the solution a state policy,” he underlined.

In his initial remarks on the speech, pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Türk said his party had supported a similar bold speech by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, delivered in Diyarbakır in 2005. “Today, the interior minister made a similar statement. But we hope that they will not fail to meet the expectations of the people, as has been the case in the past,” Türk said, expressing skepticism that promises made in the speech will be fulfilled.

He also criticized Atalay's comment that the Kurdish package will be a slow process with no deadlines, saying steps should be taken quickly as provocations might occur regarding such a sensitive topic.

Türk spoke of Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Turkey defines as a terrorist organization and refuses to negotiate with. He said Öcalan's opinions should not be ignored.

Addressing economic development, the DTP leader said his party had expressed its views to members of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) -- namely, that economic development cannot be achieved in the predominantly Kurdish Southeast so long as democratic improvements are not introduced first.

DTP deputy Hasip Kaplan was cautiously positive about the announcement. He told Today's Zaman that he believes it will be impossible to produce a solution to the Kurdish problem by excluding the DTP from the process, which is, he said, what he understood Atalay's speech implied.

“He mentioned some international examples and talked about a Turkish model. He also underlined that the government is open to suggestions. This is what we, as the DTP, have done right from the start,” Kaplan said.

He added that implementing the solution will take time because constitutional amendments will be needed. “We hope the other parties will contribute positively,” he said.

Concrete steps to be seen

Journalist Oral Çalışlar agrees. Speaking to a private television station, he said a more comprehensive plan is needed. Çalışlar said Turkey's current partial amnesty laws are inefficient in bringing back PKK members home, noting that officials have been ignoring this fact.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Mustafa Özyürek also noted that the speech lacked concrete elements. “The Kurdish issue is an important matter, but how are we going to solve it? The minister has not made any explanations regarding this point. We have some red lines about the issue. We think that the resolution needs to be achieved within the ‘National Pact' [Misak-ı Milli] boundaries. Everyone should learn their mother tongue freely and cultural rights need to also be exercised freely. It is necessary that Kurdish broadcasting exists not only on state TV but also on private TV channels. However, the language of education definitely must be Turkish, as stated in our Constitution,” he said.

He agreed that democracy in Turkey needs improvement and that an overhaul of the Constitution is necessary. “The government should arrange for this. The government in power must do something about these problems first. Our law is not being applied effectively. Positive expectations are coming from society, and the government has to take concrete steps considering these expectations,” he said.

‘Turkey should hear out PKK'

DTP deputy from Muş Sırrı Sakık said the plan had to include the PKK. “The minister had not shared his well-meaning ideas on the topic for two years. He only recently explained his ideas. This is a process that warms our hearts. It was an explanation full of hope, but I don't know what will be done about this issue. In Turkey, the only concept that does not exist is ‘consensus.' If Turkey is taking steps for further democratization, it should do so not only by itself but also with some institutions. Otherwise, it will be impossible for Turkish society to live peacefully,” he said.

“It will not solve the problems by saying that something should have been done in the past. It is an undeniable fact that there is an organization which goes by the name of the PKK and it is obvious that no one can solve the PKK problem by excluding it,” he added.

A different kind of skepticism and even fear was expressed by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy Chairman Mehmet Şandır, who said his party was worried that the government's plan might lead to “separation under the pretext of democratization.” He expressed concern that such a situation might create inner conflict within the society.

“We are saying that we want to live together with all the differences. For example, everyone can speak their mother tongue in daily life, but when you make it a collective right, this then leads to separation,” he said.

Şandır also noted that the government's plan might weaken military efforts to fight terrorism.

Other politicians sounded supportive and even shared their own suggestions for a viable solution. Ümmet Kandoğan, a former member of the True Path Party (DYP), said a general amnesty for PKK members should also be considered. Esat Canan, a former CHP deputy from Hakkari, said the speech was auspicious, noting that he now believes the government is making serious efforts to solve the Kurdish question. Social Democratic People's Party (SHP) leader Hüseyin Ergün agreed that democratization and complete equality are the only way to solve the problem and suggested that local governments in the Southeast should be strengthened and given more authority.

Diyarbakır Kurds welcome Atalay's remarks

Interior Minister Beşir Atalay's remarks have been lauded by Kurds in the Southeast, who were careful to also note that they expect immediate concrete steps from the government.

Kurdish citizens living in Southeastern Turkey, which is mostly populated by Kurds, have expressed their approval of Atalay's remarks, saying it would contribute to bringing a solution to the decades-long issue. Recalling that there have been expectations and promises of a solution for years, locals said this time they want these efforts to come to fruition. “A one-sided solution is not possible. The problem should be discussed by all sides. Those who should be involved are not just [jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader] Abdullah Öcalan or the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP). All Kurds should be involved and concrete steps should be taken,” said a Kurdish resident, who preferred to remain anonymous.