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Turkish Press Review |
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The price of demonizing Abdullah Öcalan
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A little while after the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) began its terrorist attacks in 1984, the government moved into counterattack mode. In these types of situations, shows of force or violence are never enough for any state.
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The state uses a discourse that will justify its actions. One of the most effective ways of doing this is to portray the other side as a demon. Thus PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was presented to Turkish society as a barbarian, someone who loved the sight of blood being spilled, a man addicted to violence and a baby-killing terrorist. (What is important here is not the truth, but images.) But what do we see now? Yesterday’s successful demonization project is now sabotaging what we are trying to achieve today. In order to bring the PKK down from the mountains, Öcalan’s participation is necessary. Since the state has already demonized him, it cannot openly sit down at a bargaining table with him.
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SABAH EMRE AKÖZ
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