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DİYARBAKIR (DİHA) -The Establishment of KURD-PEN
Association in Diyarbakır in spite of Kurd-PEN,
which carries on its activities in Germany as
dependent upon International PEN, the world
association of writers, has called forth numerous
discussions. Chairman of Diyarbakır KURD-PEN Serkeft
Botan called on Kurdish authors to return their own
lands, stating "Kurdish geography has already broken
into pieces; may the intelligentsia not cut it to
pieces in their minds as well"
Expressing that they will apply to International PEN
with a file bearing 30 Kurdish writers' signatures,
in the absence of a solution for the problems,
Diyarbakır KURD-PEN Chairman Botan answered DIHA's
questions concerning the debates on "whether there
is a need to a 2nd PEN"
*What was your aim to found KURD-PEN?
We know very well that the intelligentsia living on
these grounds have not discharged their duties in
social problems and its fate; therefore, have been
thinking to open a door for free thought and to
create ways for playing roles in this connection. We
focus on social questions with sensibility and want
fight against bans on the Kurdish language and
culture. Moreover, we aim to get into contact with
the writers detained or imprisoned and to pay
attention to their problems.
*What is the reason there appeared problems between
you and Kurd-PEN in Germany?
We founded our association on Feb 7, 2004. There was
no problem between us and Kurd-PEN before that time.
We named the association Diyarbakır KURD-PEN
following a meeting to the member of Diyarbakır
KURD-PEN Hêvî Berwarî also attended; yet, Ms Berwarî
expressed her opinions on PKK and Abdullah Öcalan in
an interview. I think this featured report made
Kurd-PEN members and administrators uneasy. They
stated had not acknowledged the name of the
association as KURD-PEN and were against its
foundation.
*What was the request of Kurd-PEN in Germany?
There is no article in the Turkish Constitution that
an association or organization which displays
activity out of Turkey can set up an institution
within Turkey. They wanted our association to show
activity depending upon Kurd-PEN in Germany. We have
to find a solution for this problem. 2 PEN
associations can be founded within the border of the
same country and there are examples for this in
Kanada, Australia and the USA. Our aim is to agree
with reach an agreement with them and there is no
matter on which we will not be able to come to a
composition.
*What kind of a solution and a way have you been
following to solve the problem?
When former KURD-PEN Chairman Sedat Yurttaş was
chosen for chairmanship, we concluded an agreement
with Kurd-PEN in Germany. In terms of the agreement,
we froze the name of our association, KURD-PEN for a
while and they would not consider us as a Kurd-PEN
bureau but they themselves it. Despite all these, we
will our best for the Kurdish Language Conference to
be held in Diyarbakır on March 20-25 ended in
success; so, we have called 74 members of the
association to attend the convention. The importance
of Diyarbakır emerges with being a center of such
activities.
*How can the problems be solved?
Even if our lands have been encircled with borders
and mines, we can get to Qamishlo in half and an
hour, to Duhok in 3 hours and to Mahabad in 8 hours
but to Germany days later. We do not have chances to
fly to the German country at all; we want the
Kurdish institutions and corporations to return the
Kurdish lands. We want to cooperate with them. In
addition what we have been expecting is to form an
administration a leg of which at home and the other
abroad. Kurdish lands should be regarded as a center,
too, and the Kurd-PEN administration should swing to
these grounds. Kurdish lands have been decomposed,
and may the intelligentsia not break them in their
minds as well. The solution is to turn back these
lands, which is possible today.
* It is said that your association has been using
the emblem of Kurd-PEN in Germany. Is this true?
Our association does not have an emblem, it is
impossible for us to use the emblem of Kurd-PEN in
Germany, though such claims were featured in press.
We have not been using their emblem.
* What are you thinking to do in case the problem
may not be solved?
In case the problem has not been solved, we will
make an appeal bearing 30 writers' signatures and
showing the center of the association as Diyarbakır
to International PEN for membership. That is the
reason why we will be waiting for Kurd-PEN's last
word till March 25.
www.kurdishinfo.com
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