TURKEY’S KURDISH PROBLEM WITHIN AND WITHOUT
Doğu Ergil
Unable to solve it domestic Kurdish problem because of the lack of “democratic depth” (as the Middle East Peace Research Center –IMPR calls it) has deprived Turkey of the “strategic depth” it has been seeking in the near abroad. That is why Kurds quest of enfranchisement, empowerment, participation and autonomy if democracy could not be established in Syria has been viewed as a security threat by Ankara. This fear is not only exacerbated by the revengeful attitude of the Assad regime in return for Turkey’s support of the Syrian opposition, but also PKK’s influence among Syrian Kurds, especially PYD or Partiya Yekîtiya Demokrat, (Democratic Union Party).
Members of the IMPR, have conducted an interview with Salih Muhammed Muslim, the president of PYD. The interview has been published on August - 14 - 2012 at the Center’s web site.
After reading the interview, the highlights of which I will share which you here, one comes to the conclusion that Turkey could have made enormous contribution as an exemplary pluralist regime with high democratic standards rather than positioning itself in the sectarian debacle, with a bias against Kurds’ quest for civil rights and active political participation. Of course PKK’s appetite for autonomy in Turkey and pushing this agenda with blood and violence especially after finding a window of opportunity in Syria to expand its zone of influence has also affected Ankara’s attitude.
Security-centered approaches adopted by the Turkish administration after the PKK has turned the peace table put forth by the government seems to be repeated in Syria. Are Kurds of Syria a real threat to Turkey? The question was answered by the head of the very party
Qestion (Q)- It is said that under the name of PYD, PKK comes to Syria from outside. It is claimed that PKK has control in Afrin and Kobani.
Answer (A): The people taking control in Afrin, Kobani and other Kurdish regions, are the people of here. They are children of this region. They do not come here from another place or states. They have houses and children. They are protecting their villages with old shotguns. They have suffered a lot and now they want to protect themselves. They do not give any harm to anybody or have any hostility to anyone. Be sure, I really cannot understand why they are uncomfortable from this.
Q: The main and most important controversial issue in Turkey is the dimension of the relation between PYD and PKK. Does really PKK established PYD or is there any organic relation between them?
A: If we have relation with PKK, we will openly tell this. We could not hesitate about it from anybody. Indeed, the reality is not like as it is seen in Turkish media that they are writing without having been in Syria and without understanding and reading the struggle of Syrian Kurds. We are a party running political activities since 2003… we have paid much price for the democratization of Assad regime… [T] he reality is that PYD does not have organic ties with PKK.
Q: What is your stance as PYD on talking with Turkey?
A- I frankly want to say that we are also always open to talk with… anybody as PYD because we are always in favor of dialogue. Dialogues and meetings between two sides lead to know each other better. They should hear what we want from us directly. To tell the truth, we desire this.
Q: What is your messages directly to Turkey?
A: We have never [been] against Turkish people… our historical relations have gone back further and have strong background. Look at Ottoman archives… Syrian Kurds were governed by Kurd[ish]Beys and governors. We have been expecting from Turkey to listen us and learn the answer of the[ir] question[s] from us… [O]ld mind needs to change. Turkish [rulers] need to get rid of Kurdish Phobia.
Q: Is there any possibility that there will be attacks by PKK from the settlements controlled by PYD in the northern Syria?
A: I guarantee that there won’t be any shoot[ing] from armed… security [forces] towards Turkey. We haven’t brought up our community or our out young generation… with the fear and hostility of Turkey. [But among Turks] I see that there is Kurdish phobia. If they leave [this aside] we can live in peace together. We have … inherited [these lands] from our fathers and ancestors.
Q: It is claimed that you have not been fighting against Assad regime and haven’t been supporting the revolution process. Why don’t you fight against Assad?
A: The ones who accuse us for not fighting against Assad regime…do not know or don’t want to see the struggle of Kurd[s]… [f]or the democratization of the regime, we have suffered more in Syria for many years. We have had shaheeds in Assad’s prisons. Especially, after Adana agreement signed with Turkey, we have suffered with great losses.
While Turkey works with Assad regime, we have been fighting for democracy at the streets of Syria. Therefore, it is not possible for us to be collaborator with Assad… Until this situation, we have suffered a lot. As a result of somebody wants, we won’t lead our people into war and we won’t make a war. Our struggle is for the freedom of Kurds and it will be the way we want.
These are words of the head of dreaded organization in Turkey evoking fears of Kurdish irredentism although living in other lands. The question is this: If Turkey’s support of the Syrian opposition alienates the Kurds, the Nusayri-Alevis and the non-Muslims of Syria how can it help restore a pluralistic democracy based on equality and participation of all in the new administration or a lasting peace among them?
Prof. Dr. Doğu Ergil is a Professor of political Science in Fatih University \ Turkey, and also an expert on the Kurdish Question, and he is one of the well-known authors in Turkey.
