PM to knock on opposition's door for democratic initiative

The government in late July announced a new Kurdish initiative that will introduce more freedoms, such as allowing the use of Kurdish in the public sphere. However, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the second largest opposition party in Parliament, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have objected to the package, expressing concern that it might harm Turkey's unity.

The details of the package will be announced in October when Parliament returns from recess.

Despite earlier failed attempts to talk to the opposition, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will try to schedule an appointment with CHP leader Deniz Baykal and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli after the Sept. 20 Ramadan holiday. Parliament then might hold a closed session on the Kurdish initiative, depending on the outcome of these meetings or if they have take place. The opposition leaders have so far been refusing to meet with the prime minister.

In its Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting on Monday, the AK Party mainly discussed the democratic initiative and recent developments. The committee recommended that the government try to talk with the opposition once again and hold a closed session in Parliament on Oct 1. The AK Party will exert efforts to secure the support of at least one of the opposition parties before it takes further steps on the initiative.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chatted with Interior Minister Beşir Atalay after a meeting yesterday with newly appointed chiefs of police.

Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin this week announced that if a request for a closed session is received, the parliamentary administration would assess it under the legislature's bylaws.

In closed parliamentary sessions, records taken during talks are kept as confidential documents for the next 10 years. In the closed session, Interior Minister Beşir Atalay is expected to inform the General Assembly on meetings he has had with five political parties, six workers' unions, 43 civil society organizations and 18 domestic and international intellectuals on the Kurdish question.

AK Party establishes three red lines

In Monday's MYK meeting, the AK Party also decided on red lines, or boundaries, that can never be crossed in the implementation of the Kurdish package. The committee members ruled out any talks with the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) or the PKK's jailed leader Abdullah Öcalan. As a second red-line, the committee opposed a general amnesty for PKK terrorists, saying such a move would have negative consequences that might be impossible to repair.

The third line the AK Party has drawn is not considering any option that involves a change to Turkey's unitary form of government, including any demands that might be voiced for a constitutional autonomy for Kurds.

Speaking to Today's Zaman, deputy leader of the AK Party's parliamentary group said: “The democratization package is continuing as a state policy. Parliament will decide on the contents of the package. We have decided to use all the channels available for the solution to be found on this platform.”

CHP positive about meeting

The CHP, which has been taking one step forward and one back regarding the issue, believes that the prime minister's idea to meet with opposition leaders is correct. CHP leader Baykal, who has earlier rejected to meet with the prime minister, is positive toward a meeting this time. MHP leader Bahçeli, however, has closed all doors to a request for an appointment with the prime minister. However, senior members of the party say that they will be participating in the closed session to make their voices heard.

CHP leader Baykal has announced that although he is planning to schedule an appointment with Prime Minister Erdoğan, his party will not be supporting the Kurdish initiative. Speaking to a private television channel, Baykal said the initiative was a major mistake. He stated that the initiative would not do any good but produce tension and ethnic separation, encouraging separatism in Turkey.

CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Öymen has stated that the party is considering accepting the prime minister's request for a meeting. 

Erdoğan to meet Türk as prime minister

Prime Minister Erdoğan, who has met with Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Türk once, will meet with him again, but this time not using his title as the leader of the AK Party but as the prime minister.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erdoğan is planning a tour of the Southeast and the East of Turkey to explain to the Kurdish-dominated region the government's democratization package, seeking to find a solution to the Kurdish question. He will also meet with local organizations there and have the opportunity to hear the thoughts of the locals.