SERDAR ALTAN

HEWLER (DİHA) - Co-presidents of DTP Ahmet Turk and Aysel Tugluk who went to Federal Kurdistan Region to participate in Meeting of Socialit International Kurd Study Group had various negotiations with autorities of government as well as the meeting. Co-president Ahmet Turk had answered questions of DIHA about results came out of Socialist Intenational Meeting, his contacts during the week and impressions.

* Can you tell us about aims of your visit to Federal Kurdistan Region?

As you know, there was a meeting of Socialist International Kurd Study Group. We were also invited to this. This meeting has a great importance for Kurds. Participation of General Secretary of Socialist International Luiz Ayala had reinforced this importance. We also participated to the meeting to see the perspective of Socialist International about Kurdish problem and to come together with Kurdish political parties. Actually beside this, we had been desiring to see Iraq Kurdistan and developments here. We want to take views of political parties in here, and to exchange ideas about subjects like dialogue between Kurds and how the way of democratic politics can be opened. At the same time 21st century have expectations about us, we are here to discuss points like how we can answer this expectations, how can we develop policies which will be in accordance with expectations of people.

* Generally, what kind of issues were stressed in the meeting?

Discussions were made in 3 points as Kurds in Turkey, Kurds in Iraq and Kurds in Iran. We put forward our ideas about Kurds in Turkey. We put forward that if there is a peaceful project, the environment of war and tension could come to an end. There were statements of General Secretary of Socialist International Luiz Ayala as they are ready to give support in subjects like putting forth such a democratic project, a general pardon came into force, and they will take this subject to general councill.

* How were the approaches of other Kurdish parties to problems experienced in Turkey?

Clearly, approaches of repreantatives of Kurdish parties did not satisfy us. We can say that we were expecting a different attitude. They talked about lack of dialogue between Kurds in Turkey, and between political parties. They stated that because some political parties are effective there, this results in weakening of other parties. And we expressed that the process is a process of dialogue, and we clearly put forward our desire to solve problems with peaceful ways. We expressed our thought if a democratic project is put forth and serious steps are made towards solution of Kurdish problem, the problem will be solved within the unity of Turkey. We stated our idea that to date the state does not have a democratic projects in front of it, and the stalemate results from state not having such a project and most of participants gave support to this. They put forward their ideas about state to make steps.

* What were the points discussed in terms of solution of Kurdish question?

Kurdish problem is not only a problem of Turkey but that of Middle East. If Kurds did not incorporate themselves into democratic politics in Turkey, and their way was blocked, this situation would delay democratization of Turkey and put barrier in the way of democratic development in Middle East. Accordingly if politics in Turkey develops in a way which will answer the demands of its citizens, in peace with its citizens and gaining support of its citizens, reflection of this will not be limited only to Turkey, it will bring about change in Middle East fastened. Today, actually demands of Kurds are very legitimate and right. There are two things; one is creation of environment in Turkey which I can express myself with my own willpower and securing right of organizing, identity and cultural rights within the unitary structure of Turkey. And the second is a general pardon come into force for assuring social peace. Already these are legitimate and just demands. Fulfilling these rights will not leave Turkey powerless, to the contrary it will empower Turkey. Again it will contribute to democracy prevail in Middle East and in improving diologue with neighbor states. For this reaso these are demands which can be, could be fulfilled.

* Does Socialist International promise hope in solution of Kurdish problem, what is your expectations as a party?

When we are putting forward our ideas we can not be in a situation not expecting support. Everyone should support such a situation. This idea came out in all contacts we had. There was an important point emerging from our negotiations. And ideas like if the problem is not solved today, a PKK can go and another will appear, were sounded by important persons. Because of this, Kurdish problem is not only a problem of Turkey but Middle East, and a problem of democratization. Kurds have a democratic accumulation and culture which could easily provide democratic development of Middle East. Of course it was emphasized this problem is withing main agenda of Socialist International and it was voiced more active efforts would be exerted for solution of problem.

* Outside the meeting you had certain contacts and negotiations with authorities here. What kind of result came out of these negotiations?

First of all we realised a meeting with president of parliament. We found opportunity to discuss long. Again we put forward our ideas. Our ideas are totally oriented towards starting peaceful process. We stressed everybody has duty to perform for development of peace process. Later we came together with Mr. Barzani, We expressed our views in the same way here too. We stated that the century which we live is a century of projects which requires developing democratic projects, and about our efforts for hindrances in front of democratic politics lifted, and wanted these efforts known by all Kurds. They also expressed to share our views and think the same way as us about developing democratic politics and ready to contribute to solution of the problem. I want to say that these negotiations have passed positively.

* What can be the effects of federal structure in Iraq on the Kurds living in other countries?

Formation of federal structure in here is a positive acquisition for Kurds. It is important that Kurds get a status to rule themselves. Of course conditions of each country Kurds live is different. For example in Turkey Kurds and Turks should live together under the unity of country. If population of Kurds is about 20 million, almost half of these lives at western parts of the country outside the Kurdish geography. Also there is a very different composition here. That is to say, Kurds and Arabs have not lived mixed very much. They had lived as two separate people as confronting each other from beginning of foundation of Iraq. But in Turkey it is a thousand year process. because of this we handle differently the status formed here and those must be in Turkey. So one should make evaluations depending on reality. What should be at the moment in Turkey is constituting Democratic Republic. It is necessary to take living in the common fatherland as a basis. Of course we should handle existing right of Kurds and discuss it extensively. But this should be done under the unity of the country.

* How can dialogue between Kurds living at different countries develop?

Dialogue between Kurds is a must. Because our age is a age of dialogue, of understanding each other and contributing. This is important for Kurds. Still it is mandatory to develop a true dialogue between Kurds and other peoples. So we did not look at the problem from nationalist cahauvenist logic. We look at the subject through the basis of brotherhood and equality of people. When peoples express themselves with their free thoughts, identities, education rights, and organizations, problems will not exist. We have a motto; we should protect differences but must create conditions for differences could exist together. We look at the situation with this reasoning. Because of this, today Kurdish Federal structure do exist but there are Turkomons, ,Arabs and, Syrians within this structure. We have to guard their rights. We want democracy and equality. Since we want these, we should be able to say these also for other peoples. We approach with logic of freedom and equality for everybody because of this.

* What you think about very discussed issue of holding an international conference between Kurds? Was this point handled in the contacts you made?

Actually there have been attempts for this. We also had endeavoured for this some times. But it did not materialize until now. It was a point again handled in the meeting of Socialist International and it came to agenda. I hope it will be realised in a short time. I think it would mean a lot for Kurds.

* If we return to agenda of Turkey again, assault to State Councill and events developed afterwards have made up the agenda for a long time. And connections to event of Susurluk and Semdinli came out. How do you evaluate these developments?

We could not have kept track of developments closely for two days because of our intensive contacts in here but when we were in Turkey some clues had come to surface and even reached to certain point. We can say this clearly; this event is not a clash between secular versus anti-secular. Generally such an atmosphere is wanted to be created but this is not true. When we look at closely we see that this scenario was put into practise by certain quarters whose names meddled in incidences like Susurluk, who are seemingly patriotic, and argues to serve to state and in reality connected to deep state. For this reason everybody sees clearly which play is at the stage. What is aimed was kicked. We had seen many similar events like this which planned to interrupt process of democratization in Turkey. Whenever the demand of peace and freedom are in increase, we are encountered with a provocation. This is a repeated scenario. These would continue. But, both Kurdish and Turkish people should anslyse these events carefully and must press hard. The government each time says it will probe the event to the end but we had not seen this yet. But Turkey have to change. If not, development of Turkey will be interrupted. In spite of everything, we belive that peaceful and democratic efforts will develop.

* Do you think the government have a project for solution:

Of course, we believe this problem will be certainly solved. If you ask how will it develop? As known, Turkey is entering into atmosphere of election. We see that it is not possible to solve such a great problem in the atmosphere of election. But we should prepare the ground for this. When it was prepared, and demands became clear, we can go ahead. The problem should be looked at like this. I already mentioned at the beginning. Operations are stepping up and efforts to change the agenda are at play. These are things we already expected. Now what is important is to account all of this and show joint attitude, expression and understanding of struggle. It will certainly be painful. But I believe this process could not last very long. This problem has gripped the country for 20 years. Great sufferings took place. Thousands of people died. We all know this. Allright do the problem solved? No it was not solved in this way, this should be seen. Evrybody should endeavor to solve problem with mind and logic rather than emotions.

* There was an explanation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Ocalan as ' if it goes like this there would be a divorce' and similar statements of authorities of KONGRA-GEL have followed.

Again I said this when I was commenting about incidences of Diyarbakir in a TV broadcast; if state don't represent an attitude embracing its citizens, people will begin to think 'the state no more want to embrace and gain us'. This is very dangerous. The state must take initiative to launch a democratic project at this point. This is what Ocalan tries to tell. This subject is sensitive, contemplate on it and solve, he says. Kurds are ready to solve this. But if you will not do this what will happen? The trust will disappear. Kurds will come to point as state does not see me as its citizen. Psychology of people is important at this point. We should understand this very well. Because of this, it is an important resolution. I perceive it as a warning to everybody to act quickly.

(Fotoğraf: Felemez ULUĞ)

(sa/sy/ny)