Kurdish MPs Get Worse Treatment than State Terrorists

Turkey has always been a country of contradictions. Ahmet Altan's article summarizes the reality of contradictions nicely. Partial translation of his article dated 16 May 2006 is below:

[...]

Now we are up against a new issue.
Prosecutors want to question five DTP parliamentarians.
They [prosecutors] claim the crime these parliamentarians committed are "crimes against the state" and therefore is not covered under "immunity".

And a chain of strange events start...

One of the parliamentarians they want to take and try was in prison when she was elected. She became a candidate from the prison and because she was elected and "gained immunity" she was let go.

The "immunity" that parliamentarian has gained could get her out of prison but another prosecutor could say that her crimes was not covered under "immunity" and wanted to imprison her again.

The crime one of the parliamentarians had committed for which the parliamentarian wanted to be questioned was to say "Mr. Öcalan".

How is it a crime to call someone "Mr.", that's a mystery in itself, but...

The real funny thing is the fact that the other day a court has decided that the words "Mr. Öcalan" did not constitute a crime.

Courts says "it's not a crime" but prosecutor says "no no", "you don't know it, this is a crime".

Of course, there are also quite "grave" sides of the story.

Mehmet Ağar and Sedat Bucak [two Susurluk criminals who have blood of a lot of innocent Kurds on their hands] are on trial for the crime of "building a terror gang".

"Building a terror gang" is not a crime committed against the state but calling someone "Mr." is a crime against the state.

You obviously see that it is not the "law" that's important here but the "person".

Ağar is immune regardless of whatever he does because he is "the state's" man.

DTP parliamentarians are not immune because they are men of their peoples and the opposition.

Now, are we to call this jurisprudence?

DTP parliamentarians are saying that "we will not go to get questioned", "let the prosecutor come and take us."

Truth be told, everything is possible in Turkey but still I don't think the prosecutors will be crazy enough to raid the Parliament.

I don't know what they [prosecutors] will do but either DTP parliamentarians will sit at the Parliament and start an opposition or they [DTP Parliamentarians] will be taken into custody by the police as they leave the Parliament, like it happened in 1994 [also in 1991].

All these will happen during the time President Gül says "good things will happen".

[...]

As long as you break the laws as one of the thugs in state's heroin trade business then you are alright. If you actually try to do your duty as a parliamentarian and try to actually represent the people who elected you, then you will face all kinds of prosecutions! This is "the strong democracy in the region" for you.

Solution Discussions

Discussions are going on about peace talks between Kurds and Turkey. I thought I would present two opinions which I hope you will find interesting and worthwhile to read. The first one is partial translation of an article from Hasan Bildirici, published 10 May 2009 in Kurdistan Post, titled "Qandil Trip" (emphasis added by me):

[...]

Unilateral decision is enough to start a war however inadequate to end it. We have seen this clearly during various times when PKK declared unilateral cease fire. These attempts were left unanswered and didn't bear any fruit. It's easy to start a war, difficult to end it.

But every war has an end. The first World War lasted four, the second World War lasted six years. PKK and Turkish state have been at war for thirty years. It has been a long and tiring war. Babies held by Kurdish woman at demonstrations are now managing demonstrations, going to the mountains...

[...]

In discussions about solution to the Kurdish issue one method always gets my attention.

"PKK should unconditionally lay down arms and then discussions about solutions should start!"

This is a Turkish state solution. Even if some well known Kurdish personalities say it, to take arms from Kurds and then start talks is a Turkish solution. According to the official records, Kurds laid down arms 29 times, but there has been no solution. I don't believe those who say the result will not be the same for the 30th uprising.

[...]

PKK doesn't need to rush. PKK doesn't have a Kurdish problem, Turkish state has a Kurdish problem it needs to solve.

In conclusion, three things are very important.

First, to reduce the tension and to prevent degeneration and attacks the DTP and the PKK must include other Kurds in solution discussions and ask for their support...

Second, if PKK and Öcalan are not being accepted, the peace discussions should definitely be carried through DTP... As a party that won elections in Turkish system this is DTP's most legitimate and legal right...

Third, it's time to leave reporters' messages, behind the door meetings, facial gestures, and good intention wishes behind in solution discussions...

It's time for committees with clear composition and demands to meet and hold talks...

If not, there is no need to rush...

Turkish state didn't let anyone do anything about the illegitimate status of Cyprus for 35 years...

Kurdish problem is not Kurds problem, it is problem the Turkish state who usurped Kurdistan...

Let the Turkish state try to solve Kurdish problem for once without fraud, without lies...

I don't think the Turkish military wants the conflict to end. If Turkey wanted solution, they would halt operations for a while. On the contrary, Turkey says they want the problem to be solved while they conduct operations and pressure PKK who declared cease fire. Turkish military says they want the problem solved but yet the Chief of General Staff says "we are against collective cultural rights" in other words, no freedom for Kurdish language or any other cultural right for which Kurds have been going up to the mountains to begin with.

Here is another interesting piece; an interview with Michael Gunter published at Kurdish Media and titled "Dr Michael Gunter:It is not rational for Turkey to refuse to deal with the PKK" (emphasis added by me).

Gunter’s voice has always been one of balance and compromise, he explains “Therefore, the Kurds and their supporters must continue to press the Turkish state for the necessary reforms that will lead to Turkey’s EU accession and as a result help solve the Kurdish problem within the confines of a unitary but truly democratic Turkey. To help this process along, the PKK must not initiate any new violent and deadly attacks that would give the Turkish state the excuse to dismiss Kurdish reforms as unjustified. Indeed, the PKK should work toward winning a full and genuine amnesty from the state that would allow it to participate freely but peacefully in the political process. This can only happen if the PKK maintains its military capabilities until it is given the proper guarantees for genuine democracy. Otherwise, the PKK would be simply committing suicide.”

One has to ask. If PKK lays down arms prematurely would it be just their suicide or all the things that are Kurdish too? Given the history and nature of Turkish state, it would be both.

Turkish State Massacre

44 people were murdered in Zangirt (Bilge) Village of Merdîn (Mardin) province by government paramilitary forces, village guards (korucular) on 5 May 2009. The attackers used heavy weapons. 1200 rounds were fired. The weapons belonged to the state, so did the bullets.

The interesting thing is that the village which was attacked was only 5 minutes from the Gendarmerie station. A person survived the attack (later a few wounded survived too) and ran to the soldiers at the station. The soldiers simply said they couldn't go to the village. The military knew about this attack.

What did the military want, really? If there were no survivors, it would be bullseye because then the state could blame the massacre on the PKK. Especially now that there is pressure on Turkey to try and work for finding a solution to its Kurdish Question, a massacre blamed on PKK would give Turkey the upper hand in the international community. Does anyone remember Guclukonak massacre of 1996? You can read Who Committed The Guclukonak Massacre? by Bernice Ruben. Guclukonak massacre, committed by the state, was used as an excuse to end the ceasefire and was used to gain support for Turkey in the international community. Even the secretary of state then Adnan Ekmen has been saying for a while that it was the state who committed the massacre. Back in 1996, like today, there was a good chance for peace.

So you can say that the state didn't get what it wanted. Not quite true... Unfortunately, the state still won because it had 44 Kurds killed and the families of those who committed the murders are having to move out of Kurdistan. So, the state got some Kurds killed, some migrated, still a win.

So, what to call this Zangirt massacre? Hasan Bildirici, in his recent article, reasons:

Name of Massacre

Hasan Bildirici
6 May 2009

What would the headlines say in both Turkish and Kurdish media if PKK sympathizers, militia, or militants were to raid a village in Erzincan, Sivas, Yozgat, or Urfa and killed 44 people including pregnant women, children, and elderly?

"PKK massacre!"

What would be name of massacre if the Greek paramilitary, who are on government's payroll, raided an Aegean Turkish village and killed 44 people?

"Greek massacre!"

If a group of Armenian militia or soldiers were to raid an Azeri village in Karabag region and killed 44 people, what would be name of this massacre?

"Armenian massacre!"

How would Turkish media and its indecent satellites would weigh it when Turkish state's paramilitary who are on payroll (korucu) raid a village with guns belonging to the state and kill 44 people including children, pregnant women, and elderly with 1200 rounds?

Custom murder, feudal rule, culture of violence, lack of gun control... etc, etc...

If a PKK commander threw a civilian into an acid-well, this would be a PKK murder. When higher-ups of the state kill 17 thousand Kurdish civilians, they face the charge of "misuse of authority".

So, the state is clean; if those who commit murder in the name of state are exposed, they are bad... Turkish state, like God, cannot be criticized, touched, cannot be blamed for being a murderer...

Let's ask our question again:

What would be name of the the massacre in which 44 people were murdered if those who pulled the trigger were from PKK and the bullets were PKK bullets"

"PKK massacre!"

In Bilge [Zangirt] village massacre where 44 people were killed, the murderers who pulled the triggers are on pay from the Turkish state, the guns belong to the Turkish state, the bullets they used belong to the Turkish state; what is the name of this massacre?

"Turkish state massacre!"

Honest people, people who face events honestly and without cheating name the massacre right.

Bilge [Zangirt] village massacre is simply Turkish state massacre.

Those who are after destroying Kurds and everything about Kurds, those who arm the most uneducated with lowest morals and the most greed are the directors of massacre scenes.

There, in that village, ordinary Kurdish people met at a wedding.

There, in that Kurdish village, it could have been 44 Kurdish intellectuals and politicians left to the mercy of Turkish race barrels. A confident politician, trusting his friends around him, could have stood up to one of the korucular. Right then, 1200 korucular bullets would have hit 44 Kurdish intellectuals and politicians:

What would be name of this murder?

"Feudal Kurdish pride"?

The fact is this: Kurdish nation is unprotected against the Turkish race barrels. Kurdish nation is helpless enough to sit and watch pregnant women be massacred.

The truth must be told for the sake of 70 Kurdish children who were orphaned and for the sake of Kurdish fetus who died in their mothers' wombs:

This is a Turkish state massacre... Even if it's korucular shooting korucular...

Unless Kurdish people are protected from the Turkish state which arms the society's and state's bandits, such massacres will continue...

Turkish state massacre it is.

Prime Minister Erdoğan's Interrogation by Gen. İlker Başbuğ

Apparently Prime Minister Erdoğan was grilled by the Turkish General Staff on 15 January 2004 during a security briefing delivered by Gen. İlker Başbuğ who was Deputy Chief of General Staff at the time. Gen. Başbuğ is the current Chief of General Staff. The notes below were taken by Gen. Şener Eruygur who was commander of the Gendarmerie forces at the time. Gen. Eruygur is a suspect in the Ergenekon case because he ordered coup banner in 2003. The notes below are translated from a piece appeared in Taraf on 05 May 2009.

Başbuğ: Slow down the EU accession process

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan was interrogated by Gen. İlker Başbuğ during a security briefing given by General Staff.

Başbuğ: In the past, you stated that you have learned from your experiences. Your actions don't reflect this.
Erdoğan: I improved while changing. The press is twisting stuff, black becomes white. We are respectful to the concept of secularity.

Başbuğ: Not stressing Turkishness [race] and bringing up the Turkish Citizenship [nationality] concept is extremely dangerous.
Erdoğan: We have no problem with Turkey's fundamental attributes. It upsets us that you worry about this.

Başbuğ: We are curious about whether you see democracy as a tool to make Turkey into a moderate Islamic country.
Erdoğan: We don't accept the danger of Islamist radicalism. Islam is my personal point of reference, not my party's.

Başbuğ: You didn't consult with us about the bills on Public Administration, Higher Education Commission [YÖK], Change of Municipality Borders.
Erdoğan: We are not against warnings and requests. We complied with your views on the Public Administration Bill.

Başbuğ: Endorsement of separatism must be avoided. One could act slower on European Membership process.
Erdoğan: If we can't be a member in December 2004, we will put plan B into play. If not either, we are talking with Russia.

It turns out that the generals, who gave "National Security Briefing" to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan at the General Staff Headquarters requested that his government slow down the reforms for EU accession. The soldiers requested that Erdoğan block the news against TSK and tabled AKP's [Erdoğan's party] 2-year long activities including bills on Public Administration, Higher Education Commission [YÖK], Change of Municipality Borders, etc. down to selection of education officers in cities. The generals didn't stop with AKP's activities and requested that Erdoğan removes the "Turkish Citizenship" concept from his party's program.

"Your statements are contradictory"

The briefing took place on 15 January 2004 and the documents showing the record were captured with Şener Eruygur. [...] The records indicate that "presentations regarding federalism in Iraq, use of İncirlik base by foreign powers, Afghanistan, terror and radical Islamic activities, etc were made".

Gen. İlker Başbuğ, who was giving the briefing reminded Erdoğan of his talk on 24 August 2001 before he was elected. Erdoğan was reminded that he said "I believe to change is virtue". Başbuğ wanted to know how real Erdoğan's change was. [...] Başbuğ continued on to say "your activities will be evaluated. Başbuğ told Erdoğan "A democracy incapable of governing seems to be dominant in your statements and actions rather than a democracy that can govern" and continued:

"Block the news"

[Başbuğ continues on griping and blackmailing Erdoğan about trying to limit the power of military in administration, not consulting the military before making changes to laws or complying with their requests. The laws Başbuğ whines about include education and municipalities. Then he continues...] "There are activities going on in the press to deteriorate TSK's reputation. We know you have influence over the press and we want you to use it. If you cannot control them, then we expect you to oppose to them."

This should tell you why all Kurdish newspapers and TVs have been facing closure after closure. There is more:

[...]

"Turkish citizenship concept is dangerous"

İlker Başbuğ, aside from the governments activities, also made warnings about AKP's program: "The party's [AKP] program doesn't stress Turkishness but changes the term into "Turkish citizenship". This term is extremely wrong and dangrous."

Regarding PKK: "You need to share your policies regarding PKK with us as they are restructuring in Iraq. If you don't put a stand against PKK activities, our worry will increase."

İlker Başbuğ has another interesting request from Erdoğan: "There is need for political decisiveness in the Southeast [Kurdistan]. For example, you should have taken a stand against HAK-PAR's actions and the events developed so they would be shaken. It's your call." (Taraf's note: HAK-PAR caused a stir because it included "federalism" in its program. One week before the briefing, on 07 January 2004, Ankara Chief Prosecutor's office started an investigation against HAK-PAR).

After Gen. İlker Başbuğ the other commanders stated their positions as well. The commanders stated the following: "Our organizations are uncomfortable with activities that don't fit into the state structure defined by the Turkish constitution".

[The griping continues...]

When commanders asked Erdoğan to slow down the EU accession process, Erdoğan said this to the commanders: "If we cannot enter EU in December 2004, we will put plan B to play. But Turkey definitely has to be a member of a strong organization or has to lead another organization. I told Bush if we cannot join EU take us into NAFTA. If we cannot enter there [NAFTA] we will join and organization with Turkish Republics. We have talks with Russia."

"Our intentions are good, take us serious"

Chief of staff Gen. Hilmi Özkök in his first talk stated that the evaluations are not to cause stress but to present TSK's position to the related party. After listening to Erdoğan, Hilmi Özkök said: "Today we came here to tell you the issues that bother us. I hope that after our evaluations which were presented to you, the TSK will not be forced to take a stand on protecting the country's fundamental values. These statements and the warnings we make sometimes must be taken serious."

This briefing was on 15 January 2004. It appears this is where the first negotiations between AKP and TSK started and the courtship for AKPasha Inc. began. If you take a look at the notes from the security meeting between AKP and TSK on 4 January 2006 (two years later), you will see how things have evolved.

It should be evident now who really is in charge in Turkey and why the current administration is called the AKPasha Inc.