International Initiative
Freedom for Ocalan – Peace in Kurdistan
P.O. Box 100511, D-50445 Koeln
E-Mail: info@freedom-for-ocalan.com
Url: www.freedom-for-ocalan.com

Cologne, 2 April 2003

INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE BRIEFINGS: DEHAP Dossier

  • DISPUTES AND PROBLEMS SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY DEMOCRATIC MEANS NOT BY MILITARY ACTION
  • THE PRIMARY PROBLEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST ARE THE KURDISH AND PALISTINIAN ISSUES
  • TURKEY'S PHOBIA OF SEPARATION HAS LEFT IT IN POLITICAL ISOLATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
  • TURKEY'S CAUTIOUSNESS CONCERNING NORTH-IRAQ
  • A TURKEY THAT MAKES PEACE WITH ITS KURDISH PEOPLE WILL BECOME A SYMBOL OF TRUST, PEACE, AND STABILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
  • DEMANDS
  • DISPUTES AND PROBLEMS SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY DEMOCRATIC MEANS NOT BY MILITARY ACTION

Despite being rejected and condemned by millions of people, organisations, unions and coun-tries alike throughout the world, the war on Iraq has gone ahead; and hence, has left the peo-ple of the Middle East face to face with the reality of war once again, as it has done through-out its thousands of years of history.

We as DEHAP believe that military action should not be used as a vehicle in the resolution of disputes within our country, region or the world alike; but that, in line with 21st century thought, should be approached with a new mentality. We believe that military action should not be the way but instead be part of our history, as it has been in the resolution of economic, social and political disputes and problems in the past.

In our present day and age, people's requests for peace, freedom, democracy and equal distri-bution has been the driving force in pushing systems to change. The Middle East is where this force is mostly felt. As such, the totalitarian regimes, which stand in the way of democratic systems within the Middle East, must be removed. But we contend that changes of this nature will not be achieved by outside forces and democracy within the Middle East can only be ac-complished within its own dynamics.

THE PRIMARY PROBLEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST ARE THE KURDISH AND PALISTINIAN ISSUES

Long-term peace and democracy in the Middle East depend upon a resolution of the Kurdish and Palestinian disputes. An approach without the resolution of these disputes is deemed to be non-realistic. Resolving the Palestinian dispute will establish and maintain peace between the Arab and the Israeli people. At the same time, resolving the Kurdish question will pave the way for peace and democratic development in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria.

The current mentality of the regimes of the region cannot cope with the problems. The prob-lems can only be solved via a mentality based on brotherhood, peace, freedom and democratic union among Middle East peoples. This would not only solve their problems and disputes but also eradicate the need for forces from outside and the uncertainties that come with them..

TURKEY'S PHOBIA OF SEPARATION HAS LEFT IT IN POLITICAL ISOLATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

The attitude that the AKP government and other forces exhibit concerning these develop-ments have already left our country facing huge problems. Turkish foreign policy has encoun-tered many problems recently resulting in economic difficulties. It has not been very promis-ing so far.

Turkey's aspirations of European Union membership have also been damaged due to its wrong calculations. It is an undisputable truth that Turkey is at the crossroads now; it will ei-ther accept and fully comply with the democratic norms of the international community as part of the western world, for which membership of the European Union forms an important role or it will stay isolated, its economy suffocating, and become an authoritarian state. On this footing, we find its damaged relations with the European Union highly perturbing. Tur-key's bid for European Union membership was on a good track last summer. But lamentably, it becomes evident that Turkey has been pulling back during the past few weeks. Hence the closure of HADEP and the refusal to let the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) retry the imprisoned members of parliament of the former DEP party. This speaks for itself.

Aside from its damaged relationship with the European Union the strategic relationship with the US that is known to be a close ally has also been damaged, which is, from an economic point of view, already showing repercussions and which will by no means be overcome eas-ily. Although these unwelcome developments are the result of the AKP government's wrong calculations, it is necessary to shed light on other more deeply entrenched reasons.

Undoubtedly Turkey's non-active involvement in the war on Iraq is a welcome decision. But its desire to curtail the developments in North-Iraq has been evident from the start. Turkey's desire to deploy troops in North-Iraq to this end has been stated clearly despite opposition by the European Union, the USA, NATO, Russia, and the various Kurdish groups in North-Iraq. On the premise of 'defending our national security' they planned to move into the largely Kurdish populated North-Iraq; and by doing so they caused concern that this might bring about additional demographic and political instabilities in the region, not to mention the pos-sible permanent rupture of its ties with the European Union. The announcement by the Turk-ish army's chief of staff that currently there were no need for deploying troops has been a positive step.

TURKEY'S CAUTIOUSNESS CONCERNING NORTH-IRAQ

Among the reasons for Turkey's cautious attitude towards North-Iraq is the status of the Turkmen population in the region, the presence of KADEK forces and the fear that a Kurdish state in this region would undermine Turkey's national unity. Some officials have also main-tained the necessity of the prevention of a Kurdish mass migration as was the case during the Gulf War in 1991; any such migration, however, has not taken place yet.

It is, of course, undisputable that, the rights and the security of the Turkmen must be protected like the rights of any other minority in the region. It is a fact, however, that the Turkmen do not suffer any problems as is also asserted by their leadership. The Turkmen have enjoyed more rights than under Saddam Hussein's regime since they have lived in union with the Kurds. To advocate the permanency of these rights is quite a normal thing although it must not be used as a pretext for military action.

An autonomous Kurdish state in North-Iraq as part of a federation would be something hap-pening beyond our borders and is therefore a matter concerning only Iraq. For the last ten years the Kurdish population in North-Iraq has lived in its own de-facto-state. In fact, despite Turkey's occasional degrading statements, it has become evident that they have paid no atten-tion to their commitment to evolving this region into a respectable democracy. We therefore feel that any analysis should also take these factors into account. Incidentally, Turkey's vow to use force in the event of a permanent Kurdish autonomy in North-Iraq has caused concern among millions of Kurds.

Although not openly stated it is evident that Turkey is wary of the possibility that develop-ments outside its borders might affect the Kurdish population in Turkey. Hence, Turkey's phobia of separatism becomes evident once again, and has already lead into political isolation today. Turkey cannot resolve its fears by planning and threatening the use of military force against developments outside its borders. It has to allow democratic rights. Were the Kurdish population free to speak its own language, to live its cultural identity and to develop it, were it too to benefit equally from the development of the country, why would it be influenced nega-tively by any development in a neighbouring country? We wish to highlight once again the fact that Turkey will not solve its problems by deploying troops in North-Iraq but by closing the gap of inequality amongst its people and by adhering to the needs of the people in Van or Diyarbakir.

The solution of the problem lies in Turkey and can be found easily. This has to be recognised. Overcoming economical difficulties and political isolation, the rebuilding of trans-national relations and trust is only possible with the support of its people. It needs unity, democracy, and equality. It needs an environment where freedom can be exercised, where love and mu-tual respect have overcome fear.

We would also like to touch on another reason why Turkey is keen to deploy troops in North-Iraq, i.e. the KADEK forces in this region and our party's proposals for resolving this. It is said that the KADEK forces located in camps somewhere in the borderland between Iraq and Iran were a potential threat to the inner peace and security of Turkey and had to be removed. First of all, as indicated in the press, these forces are thought to be at least 300 kilometres be-yond the border. For this reason, unless North-Iraq comes under occupation such plans are not feasible. More importantly, the fact that this issue can not be resolved by the use of military force has been a painful lesson we have already experienced. Even if the use of military force might put off this issue to an extent it will not help solve it but leave it on Turkey's door step
for the future.
By basically turning a blind eye to these realities, the planned military occupation of North-Iraq will render our country isolated in the international arena. Turkey and its people do not deserve this.

The present situation has arisen by the denial of the Kurdish problem which has been the tra-ditional approach of politics towards this matter. If this stance is not abandoned completely the present problems will not be solved successfully.

Throughout the history of the Turkish Republic this approach of denial has been maintained by authoritarian means and oppression. Many times a democratic solution offered itself inter-nally or externally. Turkey has blindly chosen to ignore these. This situation has led to Tur-key's non-compliance with most of the international obligations it is signatory to. Even the Copenhagen political criteria - or so it is claimed by some circles - might be meant to aim at the disruption of Turkey. Similarly, the European Charter of Local Self-Government, another important document in terms of becoming a fully democratic country has been approached with the same fears. This attitude has left our country on many occasions in difficult situations internationally. All attempts to keep pace with the modern democratic world have thus been curtailed. And, indeed, these fears have always been at the heart of the Kurdish problem.

A TURKEY THAT MAKES PEACE WITH ITS KURDISH PEOPLE WILL BECOME A SYMBOL OF TRUST, PEACE, AND STABILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The war in Iraq once again shows the importance of the Kurdish problem and its far-reaching implications throughout the region. When the Kurdish problem matures towards a full scale solution Turkey will become democratic in every way and will take a leading role in the re-gion. Once it has taken some courageous steps in resolving the Kurdish problem Turkey will speed up its transition towards full democracy; it will overcome the delays on its way to full membership in the European Union, regain a positive image in the international community and will render meaningless some issues that are currently used against it.

Let us stress once more that any steps taken towards a fully democratic republic will make the Kurdish people a driving force in its development. The uprisings and the oppression of the past 70 years will then come to an end; the problem that has forced to us all its energy to cope with its internal problems will be made a decisive factor for its development.

DEHAP is a party believing in a peaceful and democratic solution of the Kurdish problem. It feels that in this way a future breaking apart of Turkey will be avoided and it received a high percentage of votes in the areas with mainly Kurdish population the last elections. With these policies on our agenda and the strength and support we get from our electorate we are trying to cope with our responsibilities. We are committed to contribute to a solution of the problem. We therefore reach out to all responsible individuals and authorities, and to those running the country's politics. Together we can dispel Turkey's fears over its security. As a party that gets most of its votes from the Kurdish population we are committed to eradicating any fears regarding the Kurdish problem. We know this will be for the benefit of everybody living in Turkey. Our party would like to share its opinions and thoughts on this issue with government officials. Turkey's problems will be resolved if full democracy and unity can be developed. We can accomplish this together. Let us debate and work together for democratic rights in a way that does not give rise to any fear or doubt. We can start our work by holding a confer-ence with participation by authorities and individuals, non-governmental organisations, politi-cal parties and academics. We believe that in a forum without prejudice brilliant ideas and al-ternatives will be born. We are currently in a position to state our ideas on developing a policy with a view to the war. We believe, however, that by means of a positive dialog as in the war for freedom we will find a way to win and develop these ideas together.

For these reasons we deem the following demands necessary

1- Even though Turkey announced that it will not deploy more troops in North-Iraq there are reports in the news about forces moving towards this region. This inconsistency must be resolved. Turkey must not under any condition attempt military action in Northern Iraq.
2- All minorities of Iraq, including Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians, Chaldeans and oth-ers must be given the opportunity to determine their future themselves peacefully and democratically.
3- The Kurdish problem must be approached without any prejudice, fear or doubt and we all must agree on a joint strategy. Our party is ready to play its role in this respect.
4- All interested parties should organise conferences as indicated above. The Kurdish prob-lem and possible ways to solve it must be made open to a broad and free debate.
5- Turkey must completely abandon its denial of a Kurdish identity. It must recognise Kurd-ish language and culture in accordance with its international obligations.
6- The practical obligations resulting from its European Union membership bid must be complied with.
7- Freedom of thought must be protected except for the advancement or incitement of vio-lence.
8- A general pardon must be granted for all indiscriminately.
9- The necessary legislative amendments must be made so as to allow the KADEK forces to return to Turkey and live their lives. This will eliminate potential threats to the security of Turkey; it must be recognised, however, that this cannot be taken for granted, since there were so-called 'regret laws' in the past that proved completely ineffective. A more realis-tic approach must be employed.

Finally, we as DEHAP wish to stress once more our readiness to live up to our responsibility to participate in the democratisation of Turkey and to contribute to the promise of a brighter future for all its people.

DEHAP GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Ankara, April 2 - 2003

(Translation from the Turkish original)