Tuncer Bakırhan

The greatest challenge facing peace processes is their fragility. Often it is precisely the party with greater room for maneuver that falls short of expectations. Sri Lanka is another example of this, where Chandrika B. Kumaratunga, president from 1994 to 2005 and involved in the peace process with the Tamils, cites three main reasons for the failure of the negotiations: an unconvinced or uninvolved opposition, the lack of social support to sustain the process even during interruptions, and the fact that the peace issue cannot be left to the initiative of individuals. These points are very insightful and crucial.

In Turkey today, there are major differences compared to previous peace processes. The political arena is more involved. With the exception of a few radical ultranationalist fringe groups, all political forces support the peace process and have also declared this publicly. Another new development is that nationalist forces are at the forefront of the process in the form of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli. Of particular importance is the active role of parliament, which is recognized as the central authority for a solution. Furthermore, there is broad social support for the peace and resolution process, and the people are calling for peace more loudly than ever.

In the next phase, we will intensify our efforts to implement Öcalan’s call, to anchor the demand for peace in society, and to fulfill our role in the negotiations. In recent weeks, we have met with around 60,000 people in 139 locations, who are now going from house to house and street to street to spread the word about the peace efforts and possible solutions.

Peace is not a process of victory or defeat; what this country needs most is a dignified peace. The current situation is unsustainable, both regionally and globally. In the new century, we need a free society and a free Kurdish identity.

The fact that the Kurds are seeking a solution in Ankara must be understood correctly. The Turkish state’s chronic hostility and denial of the Kurds must be a thing of the past. I am convinced that our efforts to build a democratic Turkey — a democratic republic — will be successful.