A new kind of psychological warfare...

Yasemin Çongar interviewed the widow of a soldier recently killed during a PKK raid. The interview is highly emotional.

The interviewee says (as many other articles from the Turkish media have) how remote the garrison was, had no doctor, not even antibiotics, and so on. She continues on about what she heard. She repeats "the things soldiers say are conflicting because they were all in shock" (it's a known fact that people who survive traumatic events can give conflicting statements). She also talks about how soldiers ran into a room and welded the only door from inside and this is how they survived. But it gets more interesting. The interviewee gives figures about how many PKK militants were killed and that the 'terrorists' carried their dead and left. Ms. Çongar, an experienced reporter, of course never thinks to ask how the soldiers could count anything since they trapped themselves into a room without any window and how come one could believe those traumatized soldiers now. The answer is simple. All rules of logic and justice can be set aside when it's about dealing with Kurds in general and PKK in particular. But on the bright side, now we know that the traumatized TSK soldiers can see through the walls. But how come such supreme beings can weld a door from inside so the guerrillas don't reach them?

The interviewee tells more interesting things such as "they [the TSK soldiers] found used up courage-boosting injections on the floor left by the terrorists [the PKK guerrillas] and also adrenaline capsules". Ms. Çongar, the veteran reporter, of course forgets to ask how one could ever know such things without analysis and how could one really be sure who used what if there really were such things. Apparently the remotely located garrison without a doctor and antibiotics had a CSI lab operating with the speed of light! Bravo Ms. Çongar!

Interview with DTP parliamentarian Sebahat Tuncel

Ms. Sebahat Tuncel's interview with Kurdish Herald. You can read the full version here.

Kurdish Herald: How would you characterize the reaction of the Turkish government and military to the DTP’s recent successes in the March 2009 Turkish municipal elections?

Sebahat Tuncel: The [Turkish] state employed all its branch and organs with the expectation of defeating DTP in the Kurdish region in the March 2009 elections. Different groups, such as soldiers, governors, even some members of the other Turkish parties, worked with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) aiming to meet this expectation. All of these actors worked very hard against DTP. For instance, they gave free food, donated laundry machines, and gave money to people. It was important for the AKP to win the Kurdish provinces. If they succeeded, the Turkish government could tell everyone (inside Turkey and throughout the world) that AKP represents the Kurds, and the Kurds do not have the problems and grievances that DTP always brings to the table.

Of course, the reaction of the government and the military to the results of the elections has been, indeed, negative. State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, stated that the results demonstrated that the DTP has “pushed to the border of Armenia.” Chief of General Staff Ilker Basbug said that “the votes that DTP received should be read correctly.” The AKP, similarly, claimed that DTP got the victory by using violence against people. So, generally, we witnessed intolerance of the DTP’s success from the [Turkish] state.

[...]

Kurdish Herald: What is the status of recent court cases pending against you and other DTP parliamentarians? Who is behind allegations against you and your colleagues? And to what extent do these court cases interfere with your work as a parliamentarian?

Sebahat Tuncel: Cases attempting to close the DTP continue. It is like the Sword of Damocles on our neck – the Turkish state has continuously been trying to suppress us by using these cases.

There are currently about 380 cases in Turkey calling for the revoking of immunity of MPs. Of these cases, 286 are against DTP MPs. The cases against the others are mostly based on charges for corruption, bribery, or even murder, while for us the cases are based only on the expression of our political ideas. These cases have deepened the Kurdish problem and have revealed the double standard and unjust manipulation in the interpretation of the Turkish law when it comes to Kurdish rights.

Kurdish Herald: What role is the DTP currently playing in the organization of a pan-Kurdish conference in Erbil, and what would its aims be?

Sebahat Tuncel: There has been a long discussion over this conference in Turkey, with a plan to disqualify the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from the conference. Nevertheless, the March 2009 elections dismissed such plans. We hoped that that this conference would highlight the unity of the Kurds and call for a project for the freedom and democratization of the countries where Kurds live.

At this moment, it seems that the conference has been delayed. However, we think that this conference should take a place and many Kurds from the four parts should attend it. It is exciting to have this first Kurdish conference. With this conference we can send a message to the world as a united Kurdish people.

[...]

Kurdish Herald: What are your views on Turkey’s European Union accession efforts? Do you believe that the current government is focused on achieving EU membership?

Sebahat Tuncel: We, the DTP, are a determined supporter of the European Union membership process of Turkey because social and political reforms and changes in Turkey have not occurred easily and the implementation of reforms for the membership of the EU may help bring about positive change in Turkey. As it is known, Turkey is still administrated by a military coup Constitution. For instance, there is a law, the Law of Struggle Against Terror and it has been affecting the lives of all the Kurds, young and old alike. With the membership of the EU, this law can be reformed. Today, there are many Kurdish children are standing trial, facing a possible 25 year prison sentence, because they threw stones at Turkish police. There are almost 3,000 children who are standing trial for such accusations.

[...]

I have this feeling that the Turkish state doesn't want to come to terms with the reality... Denial is addictive, isn't it?

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.

Commanders of the armed forces request that Mayor of Diyarbakir [Amed] be removed from his post

AKPasha Inc's efforts to get rid of DTP and its politicians is nothing new. Check the discussions during AKPasha Inc's Security Meeting held on 4 January 2006.

[...]
Commanders of the armed forces request that Mayor of Diyarbakir [Amed] be removed from his post:

All units of government must show their decisiveness about terrorism. We have two expectations. The first one is that the mayor of Diyarbakir is committing a crime. Conditions for his [Mr. Baydemir] removal [from his post] by the Ministry of Internal Affairs have ripened. This request is not out of legal norms. If tolerance continues, the terrorist organization will bring its activities all the way to the cities. Our second expectation is that the village guards [korucular] are targets of sympathizers of the terrorist organization; we benefit from their contribution to the security forces. There are two problems regarding these issues. First: we cannot make up for the loss of village guards. We want the declaration and action plan of 2000 to be reviewed. The second [problem regarding village guards] is with softening down the volunteered village guard system.

Minister of Defence: The Ministry of Internal Affairs thought about removing Diyarbakir's Mayor [Amed's Mayor Mr. Baydemir] from his post. But because of problems with legal justification of such an action, they changed their mind.

Prime Minister: As you know, we discussed the issue of Diyarbakir's Mayor at the National Security Council Meeting (NSCM) [MGK]. There are some judicial problems regarding this issue. The issue of carrying of a corpse [of a slain guerrilla] was taken to the court. However, the court decided in their favor. His removal from his post by the the court is different than if we were to do it. If we remove him it will be misunderstood. These mayors are not one, there are 56 of them.

Well, now there are 99 of them! Is it clear now why DTP is being attacked and its mayors and party members are being arrested? Erdogan continues:

They tried to do something during the latest disaster but as the government we cut them off. We have something in the works regarding temporary village guards. We will issue a new law.


Right after the meeting, the following discussion took place between the commanders of forces [pashas]:

Commander of Gendermerie Forces: When a mayor goes out [of country] he must request permission from the governor. We will have Governor of Diyarbakir not let Mayor Baydemir go out [of country].

Chief of General Staff [Gen. Özkök. Replaced by Buyukanit later in the year]: In fact DTP doesn't like it when mayors (especially Baydemir) go abroad without permission. If we can find bad seeds to plant, cause division among them so they will fight one another, then weakening them will be easier.

Commander of Army Yasar Buyukanit [the previous General Staff who recently left the post]: I don't believe the government is sincere. On this issue, I concur with the Commander of Gendermerie Forces. Most of the advisors for the Prime Minister have originated from the region [Kurdistan] and this is one of the issues negatively impacting the fight against terrorism [emphasis added].

Fast forwarding to 29 April 2009, we see pretty much the same thing at play:

The reporters, during the press meeting today, asked Chief of General Staff Ilker Başbuğ about soldiers coming to the parliament during the visit of Obama and not coming to the parliament at other times.

Chief of Gen Staff Başbuğ said "As armed forces we can never have a position or thought on protesting the parliament or political parties" then he continued on, referring to the DTP group in the parliament:

"However, without a certain political party clarifying its relationship with the terrorist organization or its position on the terrorist organization, it's impossible for us to be in the same environment with them. The public will understand it that we won't be in the same environment with a political party that can't distance itself from the terrorist organization and can't clearly express this. Nobody should expect us to be in the same environment with them."

What changed from 2006 to 2009, with three different Chiefs of General Staff taking post? Nothing, really. DTP members are being singled out, arrested, talked down, discriminated. Kurds, even when they try to serve the state at AKPasha Inc's side are still not trusted and viewed as a threat.

DTP Parliamentarian Hasip Kaplan said the following on 22 April 2009 during a session at the parliament:

"I would like to make this clear: tomorrow we are going to celebrate National Sovereignty Day, right? Since the day I was elected -(showing the inscription on the wall behind him) here 'sovereignty belongs to the nation without any condition'- my general staff, the land forces commander, came and sat here only when Obama was here. I came out of ballots; if they don't respect the votes of 3 million people... The head of ruling party, the prime minister of 7 years, still refers to my party as "that party". If he doesn't acknowledge me or the will of the people on 22 of July, he just lost on March 29, in the east and southeast, if he is losing the local election in the town that made him the prime minister (Siirt), if he loses in Van and Diyarbakir from where he has ministers, if he cannot enter Şırnak, he cannot come here and call me "that party"

Tell me Mr. Hasip doesn't have a point!