BY OKAY GONENSIN
VATAN- Like all minority questions concerning the Kurdish question, the issue of administrative autonomy has been discussed many times. But this is the first time a political party has asked for this using the term `provincial system.'
The Democratic Society Party's (DTP) new political program proposes cities being brought together to form groups named after their biggest city and local parliaments being formed in each group with autonomy over educational and cultural issues.
In fact, the DTP proposal wasn't well thought through, as details about how powers would be divided between the central and regional administrations are lacking. It's clear that this proposal was brought forth for discussion.
It should be said at the outset that Turkey may discuss this but not accept it. We shouldn't fear discussing it.
The DTP was founded with the aim of doing politics on an ethnic basis. It's a pro-Kurdish party, which suggests that it's the mouthpiece of Turkish Kurds. It's by no means a national party, as it doesn't aim to do nationwide politics or take a close interest in the national economy.
In the past, similar parties have been closed down. But the Democratic People's Party (DEHAP), the DTP's predecessor, abolished itself, and then became the DTP.
Such a party may be included in our political life and should practice politics and freely argue for its own ideas unless it breaks the law.
In this respect, looking at the latest legal initiatives about this party, it's clear that closing it down would do great harm.
In one recent example, the courts were asked to look at how the husband of one DTP deputy is a member of the terrorist PKK.
Of course a person being a deputy if their spouse is among the terrorists may lead to protests, and this person may become a political pariah, but we can't expect them to face trial due to the actions of a spouse.
Some may greet the DTP's provincial system proposal harshly. We should take this for granted.
But as we're going through a sensitive period about PKK terrorism and the DTP's relations with it are being questioned, this offer was ill-timed.
Some in the DTP and people influencing them may want to make things tenser still. But this is a trap for everyone, especially for democracy, and we should take this into account.
Terrorism is now Turkey 's top problem, and the DTP must do a lot to end this terror. For its proposal to be convincing, it should do its part to help Turkey end the current atmosphere.
Only after the bloodshed has ended can people evaluate issues and discuss things in a productive way.