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It seems that the aftershocks of an earthquake that shook the ranks of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) following CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Öymen’s remarks last week regarding the violent suppression of the Dersim Rebellion in 1937 in the predominantly Alevi city of Tunceli, then known as Dersim, will continue to be felt for a long time.
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Despite calls for his resignation and growing protests from Alevis, who were later joined by CHP parliamentary group deputy chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, CHP leader Deniz Baykal continues to defend Öymen. Analysts, who warn that this may trigger an intra-party confrontation, call on the CHP to stop covering up the mistakes of its members instead of engaging in self-criticism. According to Zaman’s Mustafa Ünal, the Dersim quake could have severe consequences for the CHP and change the political map in Turkey even though the party’s administration does not seem too concerned about the issue. “Alevis have been the natural allies of the CHP for a long time. They stood up for the CHP during its most difficult times; now this alliance is cracking,” says Ünal. Regarding the attitude of Baykal, who entered his parliamentary group meeting hand in hand with Öymen on Tuesday in a show of support, Ünal says the CHP hopes that everyone will forget this incident over time without it taking any action against Öymen, such as asking him to resign or apologize to the Alevis. In his view, the CHP needs to be self-critical and examine how it offended various segments of society as it is no longer possible for it to continue down this path. “One cannot conduct politics in these lands by looking down on the values of this nation, no matter whether they are Alevi or Sunni. No matter how rooted the CHP might be [in the Turkish political landscape], a party cannot carry the burden of such a scandal,” suggests Ünal. Dwelling on the division in the CHP’s ranks over Öymen’s statements, with CHP parliamentary group deputy chairman Kılıçdaroğlu calling on him to resign, Posta’s Mehmet Ali Birand says this case may bring about a confrontation within the CHP as Kılıçdaroğlu is not known for backing down easily. “People rarely resign in Turkish politics. If a party leader wants someone’s resignation, he or she resigns, if not, they remain in their positions. It seems very likely that what Baykal says [that Öymen will remain in his post] will remain valid,” says Birand, adding that the fact that the CHP covers up such issues explains why this party cannot increase its votes during elections.
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| 19 November 2009, Thursday |
| FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK |
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