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Turkish Intellectuals: Civil measures
needed to solve Kurdish problem
11.10.2006 |
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A gathering of
intellectuals over the weekend warned that military
measures alone won't resolve the Kurdish problem,
urging civil initiatives as well.
Conservative daily Zaman reported yesterday that
about a dozen intellectuals from across the
political spectrum discussed ways to resolve the
Kurdish conflict at a meeting held by the daily. The
intellectuals stressed the importance of civil
initiatives for the resolution of the problem and of
emphasizing religious bonds.
According to the report, the intellectuals argued
that the military's measures against the Kurdistan
Workers' Party (PKK) are successful but not enough
to resolve the Kurdish problem. They also underlined
that more steps need to be taken to improve
cultural, religious and educational rights in the
country.
The PKK aims to block Turkey's EU accession process,
argued the intellectuals, which is one reason Turkey
should stick to the EU process and democratization.
The intellectuals suggested the government follow
positive economic discrimination policies for the
east and southeast, as economic development eases
social and political problems.
The importance of religious bonds was a factor also
emphasized at the meeting to establish unity in the
country and develop a common ground for mutual
understanding. The intellectuals argued that mutual
understanding between Turkish and Kurdish people
regarding each other's needs is essential for a
social reconciliation process. One factor that
should be emphasized in this process are the
religious bonds that tie them together and a common
history in the Ottoman era.
According to the intellectuals, providing Kurdish
people with political channels to express and
represent themselves is also important to ending
violence and resolving the problem.
They suggested that the 10 percent national
threshold in the general elections, which is the
major obstacle to pro-Kurdish parties winning seats
in Parliament despite their high votes in the east,
should be lowered or representation of pro-Kurdish
parties should be ensured through different models,
such as the election of all-Turkey deputies.
The intellectuals, concerned about a rise of tension
between Kurds and Turks, argued that the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) should assume an active role in
preventing provocations. Analyst Ali Nihat Ozcan
said at the meeting that for the authorities to
resolve the issue they should also be aware of the
discomfort caused by the policies followed among the
Turkish people.
For his part, academic Sedat Laciner underlined that
there is a sector behind the PKK terrorism which
doesn't want violence to end and that sector should
also be taken into account for a resolution of the
problem.
The intellectuals also stressed the need for
constructive solutions, such as passing laws
granting cultural and educational rights, taking
measures against the village guard system in the
region, and more democratization.
Source: The New Anatolian | Turkishweekly net
The use of the term "Kurdistan" is vigorously
rejected due to its alleged political implications
by the Republic of Turkey, which does not recognize
the existence of a "Turkish Kurdistan".
Others estimate as many as 40 million Kurds live in
Big Kurdistan (Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Iran, Armenia),
which covers an area as big as France, about half of
all Kurds which estimate to 20 million live in
Turkey.
The Kurdish flag flown officially in Iraqi Kurdistan but
unofficially flown by Kurds in Armenia. The flag is
banned in Iran, Syria, and Turkey where flying it is
a criminal offence"
Southeastern Turkey:
North Kurdistan (
Kurdistan-Turkey) wikipedia
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