The Threat of War and the Kurds

Text of speech by Fayik Yagizay

HADEP European Representative

October 15, 2002

House of Commons, Westminster

We thank Liberation for organizing this meeting and providing us with this opportunity to express our opinions at a time when we need it the most during this very important and critical period for Kurds both in the North and South.

The discussions about overthrowing Saddam Hussein by the United States are now reaching a high point. Although the USA would prefer to carry out this operation with a United Nations resolution, it appears determined to go ahead on his own, with the assistance of its allies, if UN backing fails to materialize. It seems clear that it will be very difficult for America to attain the international support it had during the 1991 operation. It should be said that this operation now seems inevitable.

There is no doubt that the replacement of all the repressive regimes in the region beginning with Saddam's dictatorship by democratic systems is our preferred option. A democratic, stable and a peaceful Middle East would provide a breathing space for the world and would contribute towards world peace. The events of 11 September show the obvious dangers that monsters created out of anti-democratic regimes pose to humanity. The only way to prevent a repetition of 11 September is to work for the institutionalization of democratic systems. The consensus on how to create such a democracy however has not as yet been reached in the world. It is obvious that the operations under the pretext of overthrowing the dictators, which are based on the interests of a single power and carried out without considering long-term implications and the benefit of peoples, will not achieve positive outcomes. On the contrary they will strengthen the dictators. The fact that the Saddam dictatorship still continues in defiance of the world indicates how we must learn from the end of operations carried out in 1991.

There is nothing that can erase the memories of 1991 Gulf War when the Kurds who rose against Saddam were left to the mercy of the Saddam dictatorship. The fact that an umbrella of protection was later created does not mitigate the results of that tragedy. We judge the reluctance of the political parties in the South to back any current operation without any clear aims to be the correct attitude to adopt. We believe that an alternative solution to the crisis as opposed to war is that of supporting the democratic powers and movements in order to encourage people’s democratic struggles to overthrow the dictatorial regimes. This is the correct option for Iraq just as it is on any other situation. If an operation is to be carried out against these wishes of ours then it should be one where all precautions are taken to prevent harm to civilians. The war plans should not be expanded beyond the point of replacing the Saddam regime and helping the peoples of Iraq to form a democratic regime on their own initiatives. It should never become a pretext or opportunity for states such as Turkey to interfere, as this would lead to an unsolvable situation.

Turkey does not want the USA operation to go ahead due to fear of Iraq's division and the establishment of a Kurdish state in the North of the country and the encouragement that it would give for the Kurds in Turkey. Turkey has already said that it will not just stay within its own borders but that it will join the action itself. The main Iraqi Kurdish parties however have declared that they don't intend to divide Iraq and that they wish to be part of a Federal Iraq and are even preparing a constitution to this effect. Turkey on the other hand sees the reopening of the South Kurdistan Parliament as sufficient cause for war despite the fact that it helped its creation in the first place.

The Turkish government is indicating a willingness to accept the current Saddam regime, but determined to oppose any status for the Kurds and even considering that to be reason for war. The winning of any recognized status by Kurds anywhere is thus taken as a reason for division by Turkey. This alone puts Turkey in a position of conflict.

Turkey never achieved anything through animosity towards the Kurds. Kurds have always provided the best assistance to Turks during critical times such as their entry into Anatolia and during the formation of the Republic of Turkey. Kurds are now the most dynamic and decisive source of strength for Turkey during the current time of its accession process with the European Union. The Republic of Turkey, ignoring this strength and only seeing it as a potential for division, in fact creates the greatest conflict by its own inflexible attitude. This is the reason for its failure to democratize. When analyzed properly Turkey's mistaken approach to the Kurdish Question can be seen as the cause of its failure to integrate with Europe despite the fact it has tried to turn to Europe since the end of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey should make peace with the Kurds starting with those inside Turkey and stop seeing the Kurds in all over the world as a threat and instead see them as allies and a brother nation, especially if it wishes to enter the EU since the majority of the Kurdish population is in favor of it.

Turkey's contribution towards the crisis in the region is due to its lack of confidence in getting support from the main world powers for capturing the oil reserves of Mosul and Kirkuk, which is its long term aim. In addition Turkey does not want the Kurds to control those areas. This approach cannot lead to a peaceful solution in the region.

Another dangerous policy is the prevention of Kurdish unification and to fomenting of wars between Kurdish groups so that they massacre one another and are weakened. Some powers in the region, especially Turkey, remain determined to continue this policy. The fostering of clashes between KDP, PUK and PKK forces is used as a method for sabotaging Kurdish unity and frustrating internal democracy. It must be said that prominent western powers such as the US and Britain have generally supported Turkey, which they see as an important ally. This policy will only cause ruinous wars similar to that of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The typical victims of these maneuverings have always been the Kurds through bloody clashes, numerous tragedies and rebellions, which have been ongoing for last two hundred years. We find that it is very important that the main powers controlling the area now abandon this policy and begin a new approach for peace and democracy. The Kurds have had more than their fair share of pains and tragedies.   The best solution is that which does not contain the alteration of current borders and maintains the stability through improvements in democracy.

Trends across the world show that humanity is in a phase of democratic unity rather than nationalist and religious separations. It is evident from the history of the last century that all separations and divisions are caused by anti-democratic regimes.

Turkey is now at a crossroads, it will either rid itself of these fears and take brave steps towards democratization and so become part of western civilization or it will remain a third world country if it continues on the path it has so far taken. There is no reason for it not to move further on the first path, which is the one that will rapidly lead towards the European Union. Turkey is part of nearly all the major western political, legal, economic, cultural and military organizations. The choice of the peoples of Turkey is to be part of a civilized, advanced and flourishing western society. It is up to the political authorities in Turkey to take the necessary steps for democracy as demanded by its people. We believe that the atmosphere in Turkey is now amenable for this, since the Kurds have stretched out their hands for peace after15 year conflict. This offer should not be rejected and an adequate response should be adopted. The necessary legal changes should be made to secure the permanence of the peaceful atmosphere that is currently now experienced. Positive legislation such as the right to be educated in the mother language and broadcasting rights should be considered along with recognition of Kurdish identity and the abolition of death penalty as positive steps, but they are not sufficient to secure permanent peace. These legislative changes are not yet put into practice and the role of the National Security Council (MGK) in political life is still decisive in the country. Thousands of people, for example the DEP (Democracy Party) MPs, are still in the prison as a result of their political opinions. The prevention of peoples from returning to their villages, which were evacuated and destroyed during the conflict, is an ongoing concern. Several hurdles continue to be placed before politicians preventing them from freely participating in politics. This list of faults could be greatly enlarged.

The early general elections will take place in Turkey on 3 November 2002. These elections could play a vital part in solving the problems of the country. Facilitating the mechanism where Kurds can freely reflect their freewill through the ballot box, lifting the obstacles so that they can send their representatives to parliament and allowing those elected to work freely in the system, are paramount to the creation of social peace. The pressure on Kurds however continues with an intensity now in the runup to the election date. Kurds backed HADEP during the last elections. HADEP has this time withdrawn due to the exertion of massive pressure including the threat of closure. It declared that it would participate in the elections as part of the alliance of DEHAP (Democratic Peoples Party).

Our party HADEP has always worked towards a peaceful solution to the Kurdish Question and for improvements in democracy. It has always been targeted by the forces of anti-democracy and tens of its administrators have been killed. Thousands of our members and supporters have been tortured and imprisoned. Propaganda campaigns against the party such as allegations of separatism and bias towards Kurdish ethnicity have always faced our party faced throughout its existence. Our party has always been portrayed as the guilty party in the eyes of public opinion. Our party has also been excluded from state subsidy that other parties receive. Our party is prevented from opening new branch offices in some locations and blocked from getting organized. These actions are still ongoing.

We have faced all these bans and pressures and continue to work calmly and patiently. The legal and peaceful route was never abandoned and provocations and conspiracies were always ignored. HADEP has been accepted both in Turkey and on the international political stage, for example it is accepted as a member of the Socialist International.

The hurdles and conspiracies have increased against HADEP since the decision to hold the current election was taken. Our party, which has millions of voters, has been openly threatened in public by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and by some generals. They insisted on a 10% threshold, which is very anti-democratic.

We decided to participate the elections under the name of DEHAP as we did not want millions of votes to be lost if HADEP was closed down. The conspiracies and pressures however did not stop when we opted to campaign under DEHAP as our President Murat Bozlak and President of Socialist Democracy Party Akin Birdal, both previously convicted for political opinions, were banned from participating in the elections as candidates. That such respected figures are banned is an affront to democracy in Turkey.

DEHAP has quickly established a strong power base among the people despite all the smear campaigns against it. Howver, despite the fact that the Supreme Council of Elections already declared DEHAP as a party fit to participate in the poll, some state officials started steps to prevent DEHAP from entering the contest and the Chief Prosecutor for Appeals Court initiated an inquiry about DEHAP to exclude it. There is only three weeks left until the 3 November elections and the election campaign is continuing at full speed. DEHAP has faced the danger of exclusion while other parties were allowed to campaign freely.

An exclusion of DEHAP from the election process would do severe damage to the democratization process in Turkey and would sabotage Turkey's chances of membership of the EU. It is obvious that the exclusion of Kurds from the system and the ignoring of their will would increase tension and create a situation of hopelessness. The blocking of democratic paths would inevitably provoke the danger of violence and renewed clashes. Instead of taking steps to work through democratic channels and eliminate the atmosphere of violence, an opposite policy is being pursued. These actions illustrate clearly that the elections not taking place in an atmosphere of freedom and democracy. We will however insist on our struggle for democracy. We are calling on outside friends to take part in the elections as observers on the ground and to be vigilant against the threats against DEHAP and to show your solidarity with us.