BY FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK
TODAY'S ZAMAN- Ongoing clashes in the streets between nationalist groups and supporters of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) protesting the closure of their party by Constitutional Court ruling last week on charges of ethnic separatism and links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have raised concerns among many about the prospect of the Kurdish initiative grinding to a halt.
The initiative, launched by the government in summer, foresees the expansion of rights for the country's Kurds and the eventual solution of Turkey's long-standing Kurdish problem. Despite provocative and violent acts in the streets, the government has maintained its determination and is vowing to push ahead with the initiative, although it is proceeding alone because no other party in Parliament supports the initiative. Despite the rise of violence in the country, many suggest that the initiative process should continue, to ensure the end of years-long violence.
Milliyet's Hasan Cemal strongly advises Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to continue with the initiative process and not deviate from the path that will resolve Turkey's most pressing problem and sever its ties with violence. "This is a long journey that needs perseverance. Peace and democracy come closer with every step of this journey, which requires determination and good leadership," explains Cemal. In his view, Erdoğan should explain the peace process and its impact on the country's Turks and Kurds patiently yet insistently, as he believes that people will understand the language of peace. "Erdoğan should do this. By using the language of peace, he should explain the Kurdish initiative to the entire country immediately. As long as Erdoğan does this with patience, determination and the language of peace, it will lead people to open their hearts to peace. Turkey will emerge stronger from this process because peace and stability will win," suggests Cemal.
Referring to recent developments in Turkey including the closure of the DTP, a bloody PKK attack in Tokat, violent street protests and increasing calls from the opposition parties demanding the end of the Kurdish initiative process, Star's Mustafa Karaalioğlu says although the political roots of these groups differ, they seem to have joined forces to block the initiative process. For those who find the current picture regarding the future of the Kurdish initiative desperate, he points out that the situation was the same when the government first launched the democratization initiative, so there should not be any reason to despair. "The completion of the initiative process is inevitable. A solution to the Kurdish problem is a must. It is a must despite the tension gripping the country. Regardless of whether it is in Ankara or in the streets, the rise of tension makes the need for the initiative even more urgent. Turkey should not sacrifice the opportunity it has seized to achieve peace due to a cheap game," contends Karaalioğlu.