Discussions on the solution of the Kurdish issue remain on the agenda. Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) Parliamentary Deputy Chair Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Wan MP Pervin Buldan held a meeting with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island on 28 December. 

 

Abdullah Öcalan's approaches during the meeting were announced in 7 articles. "Strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood", "All political groups in Turkey take initiative without getting caught up in narrow, short-term interests, act constructively, and contribute positively." and "This is a time for peace, democracy, and brotherhood for Turkey and the region" were the prominent titles emphasised. 

 

After the meeting, the DEM Party delegation decided to meet with the political parties represented in the Parliament. In this context, meetings were held with Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli at the Parliament.

 

Former CHP MP Prof. Mehmet Bekaroğlu, who was among the signatories of the declaration titled "Peace and Democracy for All" published on 27 December for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue, answered our questions about the recent developments.

 

Stating that the current discussions on the solution process are sensitive and should be handled with care, Bekaroğlu reminded MHP Leader Bahçeli's remarks and said: "The requirement of this statement is the full opening of the path of free politics. The full opening of the path to free politics is only possible by making constitutional and legal arrangements for this purpose. The legal amendments are not limited to this, there will be amnesty for Öcalan and the leaders of the organization. In addition, there are and will be many details about most methods, and each of them is very important."

 

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD 

 

Bekaroğlu stated that the solution discussions process was caused by important developments in the world and said: "I think that in the coming years, the center of world trade as well as political and security developments will shift towards the Pacific. It is likely that oil will be replaced by Rare Earth Elements (REE). In other words, the fight that was fought over oil in the 19th and 20th centuries will henceforth be fought over REEs. The competition between the USA (Europe, all NATO and other strategic partners) and the Asia-Pacific countries, especially China (including Russia and other related countries) will be decisive. In other words, we are heading towards a new bipolar world. In such a process, the US had to transfer its interests in the Middle East to proxy countries and, more importantly, to guarantee Israel's security.

 

This is why tens of thousands of people were massacred in Gaza and Lebanon. HAMAS and Hezbollah are being eliminated for this reason, Iran is being encircled and weakened for this reason. Whatever happened in Syria happened for this reason, and whatever will happen in the future will happen for this reason. In my opinion, these developments have formed the main political ground for what happened. Of course, it would not be right to ignore the will and political dynamism of Turkey, Turks and Kurds. Everyone is tired; the state, the people, other organised forces... everyone is tired. Turkey - Turks, Kurds and everyone else - realised that it would lose if it entered this rapid course in the Middle East with fighting, war and conflict. In fact, the latter was always the case. It would be more accurate to say that the developments in the region and the new political ground mobilised this dynamic on all sides."

 

'THIS ISSUE MUST END NOW'

 

Stating that all political circles should play a role and should not be caught up in periodical calculations as Abdullah Öcalan stated in his last meeting, Bekaroğlu said that all the developments are directly related to the developments in Syria and added: "I am afraid that this relationship is the most critical problem that can poison the process. Government circles are in a festive mood and are propagandising that this job is very easy and the result has been achieved. But of course it is not so. Let us not forget that there has been a great chaos in which at least half a million people have died so far. Anything can happen after this."

 

Stating that in order to ensure Turkey's survival, internal peace must be achieved, Bekaroğlu said the following: "I agree with what many actors have said, this problem must end, it has to end, and the parties are much more ready for this than ever before. Yes, there are risks, but developments in the region and the world can also facilitate the solution of this problem. The phrase 'narrow and periodic calculations' seems to have been said for the opposition. This is wrong. It is the 'narrow and short-term interests' of those in power that can bring this problem to an impasse."

 

MA / Fırat Can Arslan