The Kurdish opening and the Nobel Peace prize
by
ERHUN KULA*

There are two major problems in Europe similar to our Kurdish issue: separatist movements in the Basque region of Spain and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom. I had taught at Ulster University in Belfast for 20 years before my return to Turkey; I always admired how the political administrators steadily resolved the terror problem over there. The problem in Northern Ireland is far more complicated than our Kurdish problem. Despite this, they have resolved it via determination and success. I hope we do the same. I explained the phases of a peaceful resolution in my op-ed published in the Zaman daily on Jan. 28, 2009; for this reason, I will not go into the details.

A referendum was held to a vote for the package prepared for the resolution of the long-standing dispute between the Protestants and the Catholics in Northern Ireland. Seventy-one percent of the voters supported the plan, whereas the rest expressed their dissatisfaction. In other words, ultranationalists are everywhere -- not in our country alone. In the end, the package was implemented. If a referendum is held for the democratic opening package, I am sure the vast majority of people will express support for it. However, some circles will keep opposing such a peace initiative despite overwhelming popular support.

 The terror issue in Northern Ireland was resolved in 2005 after a deal with the IRA under which all weapons were destroyed. Twenty months after the deal, a local government consisting of politicians from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds came to power. Only four years after the resolution of the terror issue, Northern Ireland is a center of attraction in Great Britain. Imagine the progress that Turkey will make in the event of a resolution of the Kurdish issue.

 Four figures won Nobel Peace Prizes because of their commitment and contribution to the resolution of the problem in Northern Ireland. One of these was peace volunteer Betty Williams, who received the prize in 1976. This lady was the founder of the first peace and reconciliation commission in the region. In other words, she took the first step. Two politicians were nominated for the prize in 1998: John Hume and David Trimble. John Hume was chairman of the Labor Party, which was mostly preferred by the Catholic voters. His major contribution to the peace process was his announcement that he would officially talk to the IRA. After this declaration, he had to face a number of accusations in Parliament including the commission of treason and acting as a secret terrorist.

 However, Hume stood firmly for his cause and held a secret meeting with the leaders of the terror organization. He responded to the critics, asking whether he had done something wrong by talking to these people in an attempt to stop violence and terror as a politician of the country. In the other part, David Trimble contributed a great deal to the process and expressed huge support for the peace initiative started as the leader of Ulster Unionist Party, mostly preferred by the Protestants. (Our main opposition party should learn a lesson from this.) And in the end, the Nobel Peace Prize was given to these two politicians. John Hume is currently teaching at Ulster University, where he shares his experiences with his students. David Trimble held some political posts in the London House of Lords.

 Former Finnish Prime Minister Martti Ahttisaari was the fourth to receive the Nobel Peace Prize because of his involvement in the achievement of peace in Northern Ireland. He expended efforts to resolve political problems in many parts of the world. The Northern Ireland peace initiative and four Nobel Peace Prizes; were these people eligible for the prize? I think yes, they were.

 So will the Kurdish peace initiative earn a Nobel Peace Prize for anybody in Turkey? There are many reasons to say yes. The Kurdish issue has become a complicated international problem; it is the problem of Europe, the Middle East and even the entire world. This is how the case looks outside of Turkey. I think that those who exerted efforts to resolve this issue and take risks in this regard will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in the near future. Those who try to block the process will do nothing but facilitate their win. No matter what, the process is irreversible by now, and nobody will be able to stop it.

 Who is eligible to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize? Those who work hard for the achievement of peace in any part of the world, those who expend efforts to stop or prevent a war, those who try to settle disputes between states and those who work to minimize the size of armies are the greatest candidates for this prestigious prize.

 Who is authorized to nominate? This is a large list that includes former Nobel Peace Prize winners, prominent figures, deputies, university professors, international judges, members of the Nobel Peace Center and consultants to the Nobel Committee, the institute that gives the prize. I am sure the nomination committee is closely following the Kurdish opening program, and the chances for the nominees will get higher as the attempts to block the process become harsher.

 Turks are known as members of a warrior nation. For this reason, Turkey will win a prestigious prize if one or two Turks are selected as Nobel laureates. This will confirm that this warrior nation also has doves committed to advancing peace.