Kurdish opinion leaders applaud government initiative

Although the concrete measures that will be part of the initiative have not yet been detailed, most Kurdish intellectuals and opinion leaders say they are hopeful that the new policy might just be what Turkey needs to end nearly three decades of ethnic conflict, which has cost more than 40,000 lives.

Other government representatives also gave hints as to what the new initiative will include, saying restoration of place names converted to Turkish from their Kurdish originals and expanding the sphere in which Kurdish can be freely used in public are part of the package. The government believes further democratization is the only way to end the long-standing conflict fanned by the pressing problem of terrorism, which has so far cost Turkey $100 billion in military spending.

The first hint that the government has a new plan came from President Abdullah Gül, who said he believed “good things are about to happen” in the Kurdish question in May. Atalay's statement announcing the government's change of course in developing policies to aid the Kurdish question has created much excitement in the predominantly Kurdish Southeast and East. Important public figures from the region believe the steps that are likely to be taken as part of the new initiative will strengthen the ties of brotherhood.

Mehmet Salih Ocak, a retired mufti, stated that it is very inspiring that the state is extending a caring hand to its citizens. Noting that the people of the region have no problems with the state, Ocak asserted that some groups are trying to sow seeds of hatred. Underlining that in these times, people should beware of deliberate attempts to disturb peace, Ocak said: “We should not forget that we are brothers and that we have been living together for a thousand years.

If we emphasize our commonalities, our brotherhood will be restored. This problem grew to this size because the state earlier did not extend a caring hand, but now it has.”

Mehmet Nezir Nasrıoğlu, a parliamentary deputy from Batman, believes the government has taken a very positive step, but notes that there are responsibilities all sides involved have to assume to establish a permanent peace. “The government has now taken a step. The Democratic Society Party [DTP] also appears to be willing to contribute to a solution. Civil society organizations are supporting the process. We would like to see the same contribution from the opposition. Everyone should make the effort to make the bloodshed stop. We live among the people; the people of the region are supporting these steps,” Nasrıoğlu said.

Mehmet Timurağaoğlu, head of a Kurdish clan from Mardin, believes that the government's Kurdish initiative has the potential to end the violence that has been going on for years. “We would like to see all political parties and civil society organizations do their part in this important issue. All our intellectuals, opinion leaders, academics and universities should also make a contribution. We believe that there is a contribution every segment of society can make. It is time to end the bloodshed now. Enough families have been devastated already,” Timurağaoğlu said.

Halil Çiçek, a professor at the theology faculty of Yüzüncü Yıl University in Van, also believes the recent steps are encouraging. “Those who have taken this step despite the political risks should be congratulated. It is positive to reach out to the people of the region. Before anything else, the state is showing that it cares about and values its citizens. Despite being a latecomer, the project has created a positive atmosphere here,” he said. Çiçek also emphasized that all civil society organizations and political parties should be heard in the process.

İbrahim Sarımurat, a retired imam from Van also says he applauds the government's steps that might finally restore the peace that had existed between Turks and Kurds for years. “The people here have great hopes at this point. We have many things in common. I think education in one's mother tongue could be allowed. Also, they should allow the use of Kurdish at mosque services,” he said.

Mustafa Baskın, a sheik from Muş, stated: “I am hoping that the Kurdish initiative will put an end to disparity. Our beliefs in no way approve of discrimination. Our religion emphasizes that all people are brothers. I hope that this initiative brings equality and ends all this pain that people have gone through.”

* Yahya Öylek, Şeyhmus Edis and Fethi Altun contributed to this report.