BY ERGUN BABAHAN
STAR- Today we're seeing a split in Kurdish reactions to the government's democratic initiative. The Kurdish bourgeoisie and their representatives, the opinion leaders, believe the initiative falls short, but they support the process and are seeking a solution within the democratic system. Such figures as Galip Ensarioglu, Ismail Bedirhanoglu, and Altan Tanrıkulu, who believe the Democratic Society Party (DTP) deputies' withdrawal from Parliament was wrong, value the democratic process. Meanwhile, Kurdish hardliners have taken a harsh turn and favor disengaging from politics. For instance, Emine Ayna, the most outspoken proponent of this wing, recently laughingly declared the initiative over. In other words, there's a class distinction.
The Kurdish bourgeoisie and opinion leaders who represent them don't want an independent state. Instead they want certain wishes fulfilled, such as a constitutional amendment removing restrictions on the expression of Kurdish language and culture, allowing education in Kurdish, strengthening local administrations, and lowering the election threshold. These are demands which can be discussed and accepted within a democratic process.
The hardliners only have a series of demands which start with freedom for convicted terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan and goes on from there. This is a stance of blind obedience to leadership which avoids condemning violent acts carried out towards this end. Perhaps a Kurdish political movement separate from the hardliners will develop. Considering how the DTP got the votes of one out of three self-identified Kurds in Turkey's last general elections, this is possible. This group, which thinks that the region's fate depends on not only the democratic initiative but also economic development, knows very well that so long as the violence continues, investments and development are just a pipe dream. The weapons must fall silent for the east to develop again and get its share of the rapid change and development in the Middle East.
But the hardliners believe a weaponless PKK will weaken Ocalan's hand. Turkey's recent history, however, is full of examples in which such stances forced everybody to pay a high price. That's why we should study history and avoid actions which spell disaster. Those who want change have to know that it will be a painful, difficult process and that they can't lose heart. This means not only Ankara and the ruling party, but also all people who are in favor of peace in the region.