In today's (31 August) press conference in Ankara Minister of the Interior Beşir Atalay talked about the course of the government's "democratic initiative" as an attempt to work out a solution for the Kurdish question.
Atalay explained that during the process of coordination he talked to 5 political parties, 22 non-governmental organizations, 11 business organizations and unions and to a number of individuals. A research on the public opinion has also been carried out. Atalay said that everbody agreed on the two aims of ending terrorism and heightening the standarts of democrasy.
Announcemet by Erdoğan
According to Atalay's statement the process is going to work as follows:
- In some sections the talks about proposals for a solution are still continuing. Additionally, there will be meetings with universities that are working on the topic.
- Diplomatic talks will be held especially with Iran, Iraq and Syria.
- Under the special direction of Atalay a team will work on the proposal, the conception and the original data.
- A solution with short, middle and long-term steps will be handed to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
- Erodoğan will present the government's "proposals" with Atalay's statements to the parliament after the opening on 1 October.
The aim is to stop bloodshed and to increase democracy and welfare
Atalay summarized the targeted results of the "project to end terrorism after 25 years":
"At the end of this initiative terror will be brought to an end. There will be peace in Turkey again. Bloodshed and tears will end. [...] Vitally important projects of the Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP) will be realized, just as the Konya Plain Project. [...] Everybody will feel like an equal and free citizen. Differences will not be a source of separation but of richness and unity. Standards of our democracy will increase. The Copenhagen criteria are still ahead of us. Turkey will be an example for the world for solving the terror problem by democratization and widening the area of freedom. After solving internal issues Turkey will be attractive in many aspects and a more influential global player in the region. Our efforts aim to heighten democratic standards and increase welfare. [...] We do not have a hidden agenda or any political account beyond these issues."
Atalay said that throughout the process discussion on any of the topics and suggestions of even the most travers considerations are appreciated. He also mentioned a couple of limits of the initiative.
Get rid of the fear of division: Atalay claimed that the opposition blames the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party for not revealing their full contents. "On the other hand they say it will divide the country, destroy the unity of the nation and create further minorities. [...] We have to get rid of the division syndrome." He emphasized that AK Party neither has the intention nor does anybody have the power to divide a nation that has been living together for a thousand years. "They have to leave the grinder of the lobby for conflict behind. [...] We are not discussing the state's entirety, the nations unity, the crescent flag, the anthem or Turkish to be the official language. We agree with that. Turkish is our official language and the language of our education. [...] We are working on these issues very carefully."
Wrong expectations: In Atalays opinion the ones who doubt the realization of the initiative oppose the process as a whole, especially addressing the opposition. He said that a realization of the initiative is possible as well as the surveillance of Turkey's dynamics and its sensitivities.
Pardon for PKK militants: "We did not mention the concept of pardon and we will not do so. But a starting point is to put down the weapons and get rid of them. We have to work a lot for that. In this context we work on all possible alternatives."
"Be a part of the solution"
Atalay gave a strong message to Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in the opposition by emphasizing that it is no good for the country if uniformed people spread political polemics. He said that there is no foreign power behind the scenes and that Turkey is taking care of its own issues. Atalay called upon all politicians to be a part of the solution rather than the problem.
Atalay commended on the positive attitude of the media during the process and would like this support to be continued further on. (TK/VK)
