By Andranik Ispiryan

Kind of “lull” was observed in the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement process from April 23 to August 31. That day, through Swiss mediation, Armenia and Turkey published the Protocols on normalizing the bilateral relations. It was during that “lull” that the Turkish authorities declared another initiative, which is of no less importance for the country. The Justice and Development Party announced the initiative to resolve the Kurdish problem as part of democratization processes in the country. Thus, Turkey decided to normalize its relations with Armenia simultaneously settling one of its domestic problems, the Kurdish problem.

At present Turkey, particularly the Turkish authorities, is facing most serious challenges. Time will show how serious are the country’s authorities intentions to resolve the two acute problems. Until recently, instead of resolving them, the Turkish authorities have been struggling against both for many years, wasting huge funds and efforts. According to some information in the Turkish press, Turkey has spent a total of U.S. $420 billion to flight against Kurdish insurgents over the last 30 years, to say nothing of millions spent on anti-Armenian propaganda at the international level. Moreover, various external forces regularly use now the Armenian factor now the Kurdish one to exert pressure on Turkey. By settling the issues Turkey will, to a certain extent, “get rid of the diktat.” Furthermore, on one occasion Turkish Vice-Premier Bülent Arınç stated that, as soon as the issues have been settled, no one will be able to block Turkey’s way, and the country will become more than a regional force.

The issue of normalizing the Armenian-Turkish relations and the Kurdish problem seem alike in Turkey. The Turkish Opposition is vigorously opposing both the initiatives. The only difference is that internal pressure is being exerted on the process of resolving the Kurdish problem, whereas the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement process in mainly under external pressure.

This year the intensely hot summer in Turkey saw no less intense political developments. The trials of the Ergenekon case, the plan of destroying the Justice and Development Party and Fethullah Gülen published in the press, a criminal group exposed in the Turkish Navy… And, with the resultant domestic political clashes, the official statements on the possible settlement of the Kurdish problem made by Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. Several months ago the Turkish President stated progress was expected in the Kurdish problem. Late this July, while in Kayseri, his home town, the Turkish leader stated that the Kurdish problem would be resolved in Turkey as a result of democratization.

The Turkish Premier too made repeated statements on the Government’s plans to resolve the problem. He stated that the details would be known before the end of this year. The Turkish Premier also stated that the problem would be resolved as the role of democratic values enhances in the country. In this context, Premier Erdogan agreed to meet with the only Kurdish member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Chairman of the Democratic Society Party Ahmet Turk. The Opposition was highly critical of that meeting and charged Erdogan with having actually met with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (Parti Karkerani Kurdistan, PKK). Thus, the Opposition identified the PKK with the Democratic Society Party. Moreover, disregarding the Opposition’s charges, Erdogan stated that he would carry the plan through at any cost. And even after the clashes with Kurdish insurgents on September 8 claimed the lives of eight Turkish servicemen, Erdogan stated that nothing would stifle the settlement initiative.

Two Turkish political parties are severely critical of the initiative: Deniz Bayka, Chairman of the Republican People's Party (Turkish: Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi or CHP), and Devlet Bahçeli, Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (Turkish: Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi, MHP), pronounced against Erdogan’s initiative. Devlet Bahçeli brought an especially grave charge against the Turkish Premier – ones of “partitioning” the country. The recriminations of Erdogan and Bahçeli are even getting funny now! As part of the settlement plan, the Turkish leader Abdullah Gul, who visited the settlement of Güroymak (Kurdish: Norşîn) is a district of Bitlis Province, Turkey, densely populated with Kurds, called it Norşîn thereby provoking a new storm of charges on the part of Opposition, particularly Devlet Bahçeli. Erdogan immediately responded, stating: “Alp Arslan conquered Manazkert (also Malazgirt, Malâzgird), but did not rename it though it was an Armenian name. So are you more of a nationalist than Alp Arslan? The founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman, conquered Bilecik, but did not rename it. So are you more of a nationalist than Osman? Mustafa Kemal Atatürk made Ankara the capital, but did not rename it despite it is a Latin name. So are you more of a nationalist than Atatürk?”

In their turn, the lawyers of the Justice and Development Party, who studied the charges Bahçeli brought against Erdogan and his party, decided to lodge two claims against the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party – one on behalf of Recep Erdogan and the other on behalf of the party itself. A little later, the Parliament members of the Justice and Development Party lodged a claim against their colleagues representing the Nationalist Movement Party.

The PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned by the Turkish state since 1999 on İmralı Island, helps the settlement initiative with his advice. He addresses regular messages to his “companions-in-arms” through his lawyers. This summer Öcalan stated he was preparing “a roadmap” for settling the Kurdish problem and was going to present it soon. Late this August Öcalan’s lawyer stated that on August 20 the “roadmap” was presented to the prison administration on August 20 and, after permission has been received, would be published. In one his messages Öcalan said that Kurds did not seek independence. Rather, they only wanted the Government to recognize them and they were ready to recognize the Government. According to him, Kurds would have two homelands, Turkey and Kurdistan. As part of Turkey, Kurdistan must have extensive powers. The “Öcalan-authored” roadmap is, according to him, is a 760-page document.

On the other hand, Öcalan is “famous” for his “original” statements and publications. Specifically, he stated that the Turkish President and Premier asked his help in resolving the Kurdish problem. And, a rather strange coincidence: both Abdullah Gul and Recep Erdogan, who were in different places at the moment, simultaneously refuted that statement. Of interest is also Öcalan’s response to the fierce opponents of the settlement of the Kurdish problem, Devlet Bahçeli and Deniz Baykal. Addressing Bahçeli, Öcalan said: “If forty million Kurds rise the State will come to its end.” One of the Democratic Society Party members stated he would demand the separation of Kurdistan unless the Kurdish problem was resolved. Öcalan disliked the term “separation” and stated the party members did not understand what they were saying. He asked Premier Erdogan to speed up the settlement process. The Turkish press reported that the Turkish National Intelligence Service (Turkish: Milli Istihbarat Teskilati, MIT) was maintaining close contacts with the Imrali Island prisoner. The MIT disliked Öcalan’s roadmap, which was remitted to revision.

The only Kurdish party, DTP, with its 22-member- faction, is actively contributing to the settlement of the Kurdish problem. The DTP leader Ahmet Turk voiced his support for the Government-announced initiative. However, he stated that the key to the settlement of the Kurdish problem is in Öcalan’s hands and urged the Government to take the fact into account.

The Turkish Opposition represented by the CHP and MHP is rather hostile to the Democratic Society Party (DTP) – they believe it to be supportive of a terrorist organization. In response, at Kurdish rally in Van early this September, the DTP leader Anmet Turk addressed Devlet Bahçeli and Deniz Baykal, stating they were incapable of anything even “of being shepherds.”

The development of the initiative to resolve the Kurdish problem is accompanied by events that could hardly be imagined over the last ten years. The Kurdish language had been forbidden until 1991 in Turkey. From now on, however, departments of the Kurdish language and literature are to be opened at Turkish universities, which has been approved by President Abdullah Gul. In the eastern parts of Turkey, the military posts have been removed – for many years they have been checking all the vehicles. In some south-eastern regions of Turkey the names of streets can now be seen in three languages: Turkish, Kurdish and Arabic. The Diyarbakır police stated they realize the need for knowing the Kurdish language. The military band of the local garrison participated in a function arranged in Diyarbakir early this month. Among other songs the band performed the well-known song “Çane-Çane” authored by brother of the leader of one of the PKK chapters.

The latest developments in Turkey, as well as the authorities’ plainly stated intentions to resolve the Kurdish problem at any cost, are evidence that the ruling forces will have to stand serious trials. A considerable part of Turkish society will support the authorities’ initiative, viewing it a hope for peace in Turkey. Thousands of parents sending their sons to the Turkish army fear lest they fall victim to clashes with the PKK militants. In turn, many Kurds believe Erdogan will resolve their problems and peace will be established. Of course, some Kurds are distrustful and believe the developments to be another “simulation.” So we can conclude that the Turkish Government’s initiative to resolve the Kurdish problem has already brought about some improvements in the Turkish regions densely populated by Kurds. However, it is not yet clear how well the Turkish authorities will progress, considering the fact that they have yet to resolve another problem, namely, normalizing relations with Armenia.