Turkey’s Secret Talks with Ocalan

What is the reason behind the serious attention the government of Turkey gives to negotiating with Ocalan and beginning the negotiation process with the Turkish Kurds?

Following the coming to power of the Justice and Development Party, this party enjoyed the support of a considerable part of the Kurds, and Erdogan’s statements regarding Turkey’s discriminating behavior toward the Kurds and his acceptance of the 1937-1938 genocide of Kurds in Dersim have improved relations between the present government and the Kurds. This has led to the effective presence of the Kurds in the parliament and in provincial and city councils and has provided the ground for civil participation for the parties and groups which cooperate with the Justice and Development Party. This situation strengthened the position of the Erdogan government against the radical nationalists and the military. On the other hand, it improved this country’s human rights record in the eyes of the European Union. I repeat that the establishment of security in the entire country, particularly in the southeastern regions, is a major part of the economic and touristic development of Turkey, which requires national reconciliation with Ocalan and the supporters of Kurdistan Workers’ Party. If this happens and the Kurds are content with these negotiations, support for the Justice and Development Party will spread and the positions of this government will become stronger.

To what extent can the 4-point agreement between the Turkish government and Ocalan be a proper action plan to solve the problems of the Kurds? And to what extent can it be enforced?

What has been revealed from this agreement seems to be one-sided, meaning the 4 points which have been revealed only provide the views of the Turkish government. I think that these agreements are more expanded and have secret aspects that, if revealed, could force the Turkish nationalists and military officers to react against the government, an incident which would create serious problems for the present government. If those aspects become disclosed, then it would mean that the negotiations would be defeated and the crisis would continue; unless, as the PKK leader has requested, it would lead to the establishment of the necessary legal structures for a guarantee for the execution of the agreements. Furthermore, the forces which would withdraw from Turkey should have the possibility of returning without trial and entering the political, social, and legal processes.  It seems that this agreement is enforceable and is a proper solution to end one of the longest partisan wars in the world.

In an interview, Ocalan has warned against the consequences of non-compromise with the government and said that if the Kurds do not solve their problems with the government of Turkey, this country will be faced with a situation like Iraq or Syria. Don’t the Turkish Kurds want to, like Iraq, achieve relative independence?

I don’t know what he means by the similarity of this situation with Syria or Iraq. But this crisis must, one day, end. The records of these disputes show that there is no military solution and the material and human assets of the country will continue to be wasted. Ocalan’s view of the negotiations indicates the achievement of a situation similar to the Iraqi Kurds and that is why he reiterates the establishment of legal structures.

What is the view of the Kurds with regard to Ocalan’s negotiation with the government of Turkey? Are his positions accepted by the Kurds?

One of the problems of war is peace negotiations. Psychological pressures caused by destruction, those who lost their lives and the war situation necessitate that both sides gain victory in some aspects, otherwise the reason behind the war becomes questionable. Both parties must have an achievement in order to justify the death of the people. History will be the judge. If this does not happen, a feeling of general failure will appear which might threaten the sustainability of peace in the future. In particular, one of the reasons behind the prolongation of guerilla warfare is reaching a point which justifies peace. Certainly, one reason behind the statement made by the PKK leader saying that making a decision is very difficult for him is this matter. They want to answer the question of the people and themselves of what the result of almost three decades of war was. The PKK does not have enough confidence in the government. The cutting off of relations or the on and off relations between the leaders have added to the complexities of these negotiations. There are signs which demonstrate that if an incident which would satisfy both sides does take place, the assessment of the Kurds will, in general, be positive.