The state, for the first time, has given a formal promise on solving the Kurdish issue, airing the closet in which everything had been locked up for so long. Starting with the wording used by Minister Atalay, “the democratization initiative,” the details given regarding methodology shed some light on the days ahead. Most importantly, we understood that a history ridden with disappointments and pain had come to an end and that we now had a hope to cling to. There was a period of negotiation envisaged which will require patience to find a solution in line with the “democratization initiative.” The workshop on Saturday needs to be noted as the first step in this important period. The fact that the workshop was held at the Police Academy shows that the government has utilized academic methods. The Policy Academy contains highly qualified experts who have completed their doctorates abroad in their field. More importantly, this workshop, which was attended from beginning to end by Atalay, the man whose name is behind and who is personally responsible for the democratization initiative, marks the official start of this new period.The workshop was attended by people who are journalists and academics and are writing columns like me. What brings all these people together is that they have all put their minds to work, sought a solution for and made suggestions regarding the Kurdish problem; in short, they are all intellectuals who are ready to face the consequences of a challenge. You may not agree with some of them, however, but will have seen that each one of them has demonstrated the best of intentions to stop the spilling of blood and find a permanent solution to the problem. Names such as Hasan Cemal, Cengiz Çandar, Fehmi Koru, Ali Bayramoğlu, Oral Çalışlar, Ruşen Çakır and İhsan Dağı should be sufficient to give you an idea of the caliber of those who were speakers at the workshop.
The workshop was divided into two sessions and two titles. The first session carried the title, “What needs to be done during the period of change: Method and administration.” Political and public communication as a method in this initiative was discussed as a heading under this session. The second session's title was “What should be included in the democratization session?” The general consensus was: Weapons must be abandoned. There should be no concessions made on this matter. The democratization initiative has to take place beyond political parties and Parliament must take on the main responsibility to this end. The initiative has a risk of pushing provocations by nationalist groups by being placed into an equation of victory versus defeat. There can be a nationalist reaction to the Kurdish initiative. But there is also an opportunity before us for this initiative to be seen as a “leap by Turkey” in the eyes of Turkish society. The regional advantage gained by a Turkey which has solved its Kurdish problem gives us an idea of this new world of opportunities.
The state has changed. We need to place a new paradigm of Turkey on the national level in our strategic horizon. It is imperative that a solution brought to the Kurdish problem is not turned into a war for power and that the conflict between parties is in no way made a part of this problem.
There are psychological and sociological barriers which fall outside of the solution package of democratization that need to be tackled in order for armed combat to come to an end. The desire of Kurds to become visible and psychologically see themselves as equal and honorable citizens needs to be met.
Despite the statement of the head of the Police Academy, Zühtü Aslan, “This gathering is not a state gathering,” the workshop was a meeting in which the government consulted with opinion leaders who have endeavored in the Kurdish problem. The interior minister listened to the views of experts for four hours as the person who has become the official spokesperson on this matter. However, he didn't warn anybody on behalf of the state.
What I saw and heard only increased my optimism. All sides in Turkey have all the resources, beginning with common sense that will keep us on the right track to solve this weighty problem.
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