As a result of the call for “Ocalan” to change the Turkish constitution, we take a stand
Professor “ Ilhan Azgel Republican People’s Party, the largest opposition party of Erdogan government in a conversation with” December Mahdwan PKK
How is the Republican Party’s approach and exposure to Ocalan’s recent call?
We believe in the existence of a “Kurdish problem” in Türkiye and this problem must be resolved. We say this explicitly. If the PKK is going to land his weapons and Ocalan makes such a call, we will support it. Because our main policy is the lack of conflict and peace in Türkiye. But we prefer to follow this trend in a transparent manner; That is, the parliament and the parties in the parliament will be aware of the process within the framework of the law. We call on the government, especially Erdogan, to provide more information about this process. In general, we welcome this. But if this trend turns into something else we will take a stand.
What exactly is your “something else”?
, for example, in Ocalan’s call, there is nothing to object to. The call shows that Ocalan does not request autonomy, cultural demand or federation. Ocalan says the PKK must land its weapons and dissolve itself, but if we call for a change in important constitutional materials, we will respond. If the constitution is to be amended, we will take a stand. We don’t know exactly where this process will go now, but we have no opposition to the current situation.
The first step in this field was taken by Mr. Baghdad. This process is important for the Turkish people and all political parties, and they all want the PKK dissolution. But some experts say the move has election goals. Of course, I consider this analysis insufficient and weak. We must keep in mind that important developments in the region, especially Syria, have taken place and affect each other. What is your assessment?
This is not simply that we only want to relate to the issue of future elections. This is a very serious problem, and even Kurdish politicians in northern Iraq, as well as the Democratic Peoples Party in Türkiye, are involved in the process. We saw that a delegation negotiating with Ocalan went to Kurdish politicians in Iraq. There are contacts with the Barzani government in northern Iraq and the PKK in Syria, so it is obvious that this is a widespread process. Of course we are in favor of resolving this, but if this process reaches the constitution so that Erdogan can re -enter the election campaign, we will interpret this as a process for Erdogan’s political deal. The Democratic Party of Peoples has said that this is not the case for elections and political transaction. If the PKK dissolves itself and the atmosphere of peace is created, the Kurds and the Turks will benefit.
The ruling Justice and Development Party on the appointment of the mayors, who has recently become a tradition, will retreat?
will not retreat now because it considers it a legal and leverage tool for pressure against the parties. The process of negotiating with Ocalan and the continuation of the appointment of Qayyum is virtually a contradictory situation. You’re right. I also argue that this process will be meaningful with public democracy.
You are not only a politician, but also a university expert and professor. That’s why I ask this question: Do you think the PKK will easily land its weapons? Will this process go slowly?
Now this is a very difficult process. The PKK has not left its weapons. For now, the ceasefire has announced. First, fire, then put aside the weapon and finally the termination. That is, there are three stages and we are in the first stage. From now on, there will probably be more bargaining between the government, the “Party of Equality and the Democracy of the People” and Ocalan. I hope that external intelligence services will not be involved in this process and avoid it, because it has happened before. We say the actors in the country should solve this problem. This is our main concern.
It is possible that the PKK will land its weapons, because when I look at it as an expert, the organization (PKK) has completed its life. Türkiye’s military facilities have progressed over the past. The PKK cannot take any action. Türkiye has drones, a very large helicopter fleet and fighter jets. In general, Türkiye has a professional and experienced army. In other words, the reason for the PKK has disappeared. Because the Kurds have other representatives in parliament. There are two Kurdish representatives in Türkiye, which is even more than the number of representatives of the Nationalist Party. Yes, there is a Kurdish problem and we are aware of these problems, but the solution is not a weapon and conflict. The PKK could not get anywhere. The PKK wanted to build the government, but that didn’t happen.
Rumors of Ocalan’s release as part of the process. If that happens, what will be the Republican People’s Reaction?
I think talks are ongoing, but Ocalan is currently on the island of Amarali and it is not possible to leave. Turkish society does not accept it anyway. We don’t even think it’s true.
