Mardin Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Ahmet Türk, who was dismissed and replaced by a trustee, stated that the opposition agreed to return to the parliamentary system. He suggested acting with a common mind to solve the problems.
The HDP, which is expected to be the key party in the next election, announced a statement of attitude yesterday. Experienced politician Ahmet Türk evaluated the critical points in the document in question.
Speaking to Ruhat Mengi from Sözcü, Türk talked as follows about the solution to the Kurdish issue, the election agenda and HDP's stance:
"WE WANT TO INTEGRATE, NOT SEGREGATE"
Dear Turk, HDP has issued a declaration calling for a liberal regime and a state structure with an independent judiciary that respects democracy instead of an authoritarian regime, but some issues remain hidden. When you and other leading figures of the HDP speak, you say, "The Kurdish issue is multi-layered, it has many social, economic, cultural and military aspects", but it is not clear. For example, in your last speech, you said, "Kurds are a people, they should have the right to speak their own language and govern their own region." Is it meant "Kurdish being the second official language" and the demand for a separate region covering some provinces in the Southeast?
What we want is for our people to meet in common democratic values. We wanted to develop a fair and equal management approach as much as possible. Just as everyone is meeting in the parliamentary democratic system in Turkey today, a peaceful solution to the Kurdish problem can only be possible with dialogue and politicians acting with a common mind. The important thing here is a democracy, which is a participatory democracy. You know, in Europe, there is the Local Government Principle, and even if this is implemented, many problems in Turkey will be solved by themselves. In other words, we are based on a policy of "integration", not a policy of "segregation". An understanding based on rights and freedoms must prevail for the integration policy.
"MUNICIPALITIES ARE THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE"
When you say "European Local Government Principle", are you talking about an autonomous system in some provinces in the Southeast? For example, should Diyarbakir be autonomous?
No, I am not saying such a thing, the whole point here is the development of a political understanding that will respect the will of that people. The power of the people is important in the locals, municipalities are the power of the people. Of course, they are sensitive about the native language, you cannot remain silent about the disappearance of a language. Opportunities must be provided for this language to survive. We are not saying that "Kurdish should be the official language", but that this language can be used in life, in every field, and that education in Turkish should not be prohibited.
"EVERYONE SHOULD BE SINCERE AND RENOUNCER WHEN THE ALLIANCE IS FORM"
According to what you said, is it possible to conclude that the HDP does not demand that Kurdish be the second official language and that there is no demand for self-government?
What we miss, of course, is that the Kurds have a status, but today it is not right to bring this up first before democracy is established. Now, it is necessary to move from a process of weapons, violence and conflict to a dialogue process. Many things can be discussed in this process. Of course, the Kurds have some demands, but those who run this game can also put forward their thoughts on whether these will happen in the face of these demands. When common sense emerges, everyone has to be sincere and renouncer. But of course, a people wants to have the opportunity to govern themselves locally.
"FOR PEACE, DEMİRTAŞ AND ÖCALAN SHOULD BE RELEASED FROM PRISON"
Among the issues you call the Kurdish issues, there is also the release of Öcalan, Demirtaş and other HDP members from prison, right?
Of course, if the country is looking for opportunities and roads for the silence of weapons and the start of the peaceful process, all the mines on that road must be cleared. 10-12 thousand politicians in Turkey are in prison today because of their ideas and thoughts. How can a process begin when this debris is in the middle?
"THE DOOR TO THE ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY IS OPEN"
What if they don't be released?
We are not in search of an electoral alliance, the HDP enters the elections with its own identity, but its doors are also open to taking part in an alliance for democracy.
"WE WANT A PROCESS IN WHERE WEAPONS AND VIOLENCE ARE ELIMINATED"
While you and Mithat Sancar were talking, you said "The address of the solution is the Assembly", but you also said "Öcalan is also the actor of the solution", how will the two of them work together, what will the peaceful solution look like? Will PKK terror not end before Öcalan is released?
Let's say party A says "I will solve the obstacle", negotiations are being held, will it not come back to you eventually? Won't the people holding a gun asked what they think? Will they not ask, "If I take these steps, will they take away weapons?" We aim to achieve just peace, to start a process in which violence and weapons disappear, isn't that what we are all looking for?
"PROPAGANDA"
What does the HDP think about Barzani's map, that the state being established there on our border and almost declared by Barzani includes a part of Turkey as well? So the PKK's disarmament is not related to this, isn't it?
The Turkish state is running wild in every aspect there, which map are you talking about? There is no such map. They have come to a point where they cannot protect themselves, could it be after a map and in an aggressive attitude? This is propaganda, which is carried out to bring people against each other. There is no such thing. The relations between Barzani and the Turkish state have come to the point of disturbing the Kurds, and you are still making comments as if they are using them.
It's not like they are using it, I'm talking about the link between the PKK in Turkey and the PKK across the border.
What kind of a distinction do you make between the PKK across the border and the PKK inside the border, there is no such thing. I'm having a hard time understanding what findings you are expressing this with.
"THE OPPOSITION SHOULD REVEAL ITS PROJECTS MORE CLEARLY"
You said, "We supported the main opposition party in the last election, but in this election, they should reveal their projects for the future more clearly." What points do you expect them to put forth clearly and precisely?
Now see; he says a strengthened parliamentary system, but what are the projects related to human rights, democracy, the solution of the Kurdish issue, the problem of students, and people struggling with poverty, they should be explained openly to the public.
"WE TRY TO STOP ALL KINDS OF VIOLENCE"
HDP Co-Chair Mithat Sancar said, "AKP made a mistake by identifying us with a terrorist organization." Does the HDP separate itself from the PKK, do they call it a terrorist organization?
HDP is a party that makes democratic politics, a party that has a group in the parliament. A party that represents the people. There's no point in taking it to another point. If you are defending democracy, human rights and the solution of the Kurdish issue, they immediately declare you as a terrorist. You cannot act with such logic. It is like declaring all members and voters of a party that received 6 million votes as terrorists at that time. It's not a fair approach. We strive to eradicate all forms of violence.
"THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE SOCIETY GET OUT OF THIS CONFLICT PROCESS"
What kind of effort do you make to end PKK violence?
It matures in this process. This has happened all over the world. For example, in the past, the IRA carried out terror in Ireland for years, a political party stepped in and an atmosphere of dialogue emerged. There have been some developments in Colombia, in Africa, as well. These are things that will mature over time and will be discussed over time. The important thing is for society to get out of this conflict process.