The effect of tension on the recent democratic initiative and actors

The process that started with President Abdullah Gül’s emphasis on a “historical opportunity” and that “good things are going to happen” was continuing despite staunch opposition from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP). Members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Kandil Mountains and the Makhmur refugee camp were returning to the country, and the next steps were being discussed.

Democratic Society Party (DTP) supporters were celebrating peace out in the squares and feeling joyful about the first-ever peaceful return of people that had gone to the mountains. The DTP administration, which had requested that the hawks take a step back after celebrations became exaggerated and exceeded reasonable limits, was conducting self-criticism over issues that could harm the initiative.

Then all of a sudden in the second half of November the skies got darker. Abdullah Öcalan, whose prison conditions were expected to be improved within the scope of the initiative process, did not like his new prison cell. The chance to be able to talk with other detainees did not make him happy, and Öcalan said, “I cannot breathe,” when commenting on his new cell, which was 17 centimeters smaller than the previous one.

People poured out into the streets in dozens of settlement areas. Demonstrators clashed with police and threatened public safety with Molotov cocktails, rocks, sticks and firecrackers. While Serap Eser, a young girl who was preparing to take the university entrance exams, was burned to death in İstanbul, a university student named Aydın Erdem was shot during a demonstration in Diyarbakır.

Then news came from Tokat’s Reşadiye district about an attack that left three soldiers injured and seven soldiers dead. What caused this return to violence? What is going to happen from now on? Is the democratic initiative going to continue? How is the Constitutional Court’s decision to close down the DTP going to affect the process? A political doyen with Kurdish roots noted that everyone was undergoing a difficult test and said he was confident that peace would be achieved as long as the political will did not take a step back.

The government has intensified its efforts to generate solutions to Alevi citizens’ problems in Turkey as the Alevi workshops launched by the government continue. A report regarding the conclusions of the workshops will be completed in the first quarter of 2010. Kurdish initiative to be surpassed by the Alevi opening Alevi opening, which was launched earlier than the Kurdish initiative, is much luckier than the Kurdish initiative in terms of the preparation and maturation processes the former has experienced. Whereas the Kurdish initiative has faced some troubles, particularly as a result of recent developments, the Alevi opening has been readying to bear its fruits. One of my friends who has been monitoring the process closely said, “With the necessary steps to be taken, the Alevi opening will surpass the Kurdish initiative.” Responding to my question on the agenda of the “surprise,” the Alevi expert, who is of the opinion that the Kurdish initiative should slow down and resume after a brief pause, stated, “The steps expected to be taken regarding the Alevi opening may be taken earlier than planned in the new year because the country’s agenda, which is filled with the Kurdish initiative nowadays, should be changed in order to continue the Kurdish initiative, which is also called the national solidarity project.” Reluctant to give more details on the steps that will be taken within the context of the Alevi opening, my friend hinted that they may include the Madımak Hotel in Sivas. The Alevi opening is a unique sociological study that has no other example in the world. After its preparation period, the opening has matured through a series of workshops. Following five workshops, the sixth will take place next week on Dec. 17, when political players will be heard out. A report will be presented in the first quarter of the new year, after the seventh and final workshop is held. One of the masterminds of the opening, AK Party deputy Reha Çamuroğlu, who is himself an Alevi, has been experiencing a stressful period full of threats and psychological pressure. If he is able to get through this process calmly, his popularity will increase. Furthermore, Labor Minister Faruk Çelik, who is the Cabinet member responsible for the Alevi workshops, has started to be ascendant. In addition to the Alevi workshops, in which he has kept a high profile, Çelik has kicked off Roma workshops.

My Kurdish friend expressed his hope about peace in these words: “Those who are mobilizing in the streets are children from the war period of the last 25 years, so there is no need to make a big deal about it. We should also bear in mind that their leader is imprisoned. The Kurdish society that celebrated peace about two or three weeks ago doesn’t think like their children do. The emphasis on peace by intellectuals that are regarded highly by the Kurdish society is very important. The question ‘Öcalan’s ego or the people’s freedom’ is bringing out common sense in the Kurdish people. Despite Deniz Baykal, Devlet Bahçeli and Emine Ayna’s anti-peace statements, the Turkish people and especially the families of slain soldiers are giving a major lesson on common sense. Despite the many provocations, the families of slain soldiers appealed to Baykal and Bahçeli and asked them not to hinder the initiative. This is very important. The president remains determined as he warns opposition leaders without naming any specific names. The government is also emphasizing that it is not going to take any steps back. Important lessons were learned from the process that was halted with the killing of 33 soldiers in 1993. Furthermore, provocateurs are not on the job like they used to be. We are experiencing a period in which peace is going to win despite all odds. Like the majority of Kurds, I am also hopeful about the process.”

Although the PKK chooses violence, achieving peace has another important benefit. In reference to each step taken for democracy, the DTP’s hawks said: “We achieved these steps by fighting. Democracy is the result of a 25-year-old war.”

The PKK’s continuation of terrorism refuted the CHP’s and MHP’s accusations that the government was “negotiating with terrorists” and discredited the DTP’s claims of victory.

Democratic rights are not a reward for terrorism; they are the result of the government’s determination to democratize.