Turkey's Kurds face a delicate test

written by Suat KINIKLIOGLU

Tuesday, 30 August 2005

Since the resurgence of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) violence this year Turkey's Kurds have again become a central domestic issue. The fact of the matter is that our domestic attention and political discussion re-engaged with the escalation of PKK terror and the subsequent human losses throughout the country. Regardless of the fact that precipitated the debate, the issue even became more of a controversy by its description by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan in Diyarbakýr as the “Kurdish problem.” But what is really happening here? What needs to be registered from a Turkish perspective?

Turkey is facing a number of pressures from all sorts of corners, including the uncertainty surrounding the Oct. 3 start of European Union accession talks, the Iraqi constitution and related developments in Iraq and the consequences of PKK terror in the Southeast as well as in prominent tourist areas. Under such circumstances it is fair to state that these are not ordinary times. Seen from this perspective, Turkey's Kurds -- at least a considerable component of their intelligentsia -- are playing a dangerous game. Unable to distance themselves from the PKK and the PKK's despicable crimes, Turkey's Kurds are facing a delicate test of their legitimacy. It has become a common political statement but it remains true: Turkey will not allow the PKK to dictate the contours of a political approach towards the resolution of Kurdish concerns. Furthermore, Turkey's Kurds must understand that Turkey's EU-motivated toleration of Abdullah Öcalan does not change the fact that he is a cold-blooded terrorist who should pay for his crimes against the Turkish Republic. Despite calls for a retrial and a somewhat softened political atmosphere before the recent PKK attacks, Turks continue to see Öcalan as a public enemy who should have been hanged for his crimes but escaped that fate due to Turkey's EU aspirations.

Although in full shambles these days, even the prospect of EU membership will not compromise our determination to combat the PKK, its sympathizers, its hosts and its financial means. The recent comments of U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matt Bryza, whom I hosted for lunch last week, pointed to a welcome initiative as we feel that it is equally important to cut off PKK media outlets and networks of financial assistance based in Europe. Ultimately, though, what matters is the disposition of Turkey's Kurds who do not advocate violence as a means of dealing with their grievances. As long as Turkey's Kurds cannot disassociate themselves with the PKK, there is no light at the end of the tunnel for a democratic solution to their problems.

Turkey's Kurds also must recognize what has been achieved in recent years. The fact is that Kurds are relatively at a much better point than before. In many areas we saw significant improvements for Turkey's Kurds. The grievances of our Kurdish citizens can be discussed freely, and there is ample evidence that our young democracy is willing to overcome this issue. But more time is needed. Our political culture is conservative and change comes at a slow pace. What matters is that the momentum for change continues.

As much as politics is about content it is also about timing. Turkey's Kurds would be ill advised to pursue such an aggressive agenda during such difficult times. Turks perceive themselves as under siege from all over, including Iraq and the EU. Turkey's Kurds should be able to show the wisdom -- I hope -- the Greeks and Greek Cypriots will show in coming days in relation to Oct. 3 and not obstruct the beginning of accession negotiations.

Also, Turkey's Kurds need to recognize that Turkey is going through difficult times and that the conjuncture is different this time. Although an extremely unwelcome fact and totally unacceptable, the harsh public reaction to PKK terrorists apprehended in Trabzon and elsewhere provide ample evidence of the shortage of Turkish patience this time around. Throughout the 1990s, despite the intensity and scope of PKK terrorism, Turks and Kurds managed to deal with the issue on a separate level. They compartmentalized it to such an extent that it would not interfere with their daily lives in their neighborhoods. The centuries-old social fabric of our society was able to withstand the danger of communal confrontation between Turks and Kurds. Here lies the true danger of the problem. Turks no longer have the patience of the 1990s. Should PKK terror engulf the country again, there is significant potential that Turkish frustration may translate into communal reaction to ordinary Kurds. Seen from this perspective, it is revealing that PKK terror is increasingly characterized as “Kurdish terror.” Responsible Turks can only urge progressive Kurds to exercise political maturity and unambiguously distance themselves from violence and terror.

The continued association of Turkey's Kurds with the PKK and the inability to distance themselves from the immense human and material losses this organization has inflicted on both Turks and Kurds remain the primary challenge confronting them. Should they be unable to rid themselves of the PKK, both their legitimacy and the viability of their cause will be severely damaged. A solution to the grievances of Turkey's Kurds cannot be built upon the death of thousands of Turks and Kurds who died because of the violence unleashed by the PKK. Neither can the future of this country of ours.