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Selahattin Erdem
“The current state of tension and conflict has come about not as a result of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK’s) policies, but completely as a result of those of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and its mentality. The KDP’s relations with Turkey and its opposition to the PKK has reached such a degree as to go beyond mere treachery and collaboration with the enemy,” writes Selahattin Erdem For Yeni Özgür Politika.
It is obvious that the problem requiring a solution lies within Kurdish politics. It is the tension in Kurdish politics and the possibility of civil war. It is the lack of democratic unity in Kurdish politics. More specifically, it is the tension and possibility of civil war between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). It is the situation made worse by the incident in Metîna on 5 June and its fall-out, which started with the KDP basing military forces in Zînî Wertê.
Whether right or wrong, other than Turkey, all those highlighting this problem desire that there is to be no conflict, an end to tensions and the establishment of national democratic unity in Kurdish politics. There are certainly those who truly desire this as well as those who wish to appear to do so.
What then needs to be done for the road to the solution in question to become a reality? It is clear that there is a statement to be made to the public whatever the plan. What then needs to be said in this statement? The most frequently used phrase is, “We call upon the parties to be tolerant and eliminate tension.” That is, the KDP and the PKK are seen as being in the same position: they are held jointly responsible for the existing situation, and both parties are called upon on an equal footing in the sense of that most frequently used phrase, “we are not taking sides,” to find a solution.
Where then does the ‘wrong’ lie? Apparently, both parties are seen as equally in the wrong and equally responsible for what is happening, and both are called upon equally to find a solution. Whereas the KDP and the PKK are not in the same position in the current situation. The KDP administration, seeing that it is being treated equally with the PKK, is naturally developing further its dangerous relations and the aggressive attitude which paved the way to this situation.
It is clear for all to see that the Republic of Turkey and its fascist Justice and Development Party – Nationalist Movement Party (AKP-MHP) administration is attacking the PKK using strength, some of which it draws from NATO, and is openly declaring that it will annihilate the PKK. Naturally, the PKK is resisting this aggression with all its power and with this resistance, it hopes to break the Turkish policies of colonialism and genocide and secure freedom for the Kurds.
For over forty years since 1979, Turkey has somehow been unable to bring about the “annihilation of the PKK” despite all kinds of external support and the mobilisation of all available to it. Whatever it does, it remains unsuccessful in the face of PKK resistance.
In order to overcome this situation, it needs more forces to fight the PKK. In North Kurdistan, it uses the gangs known as ‘village guards’ (civilian militia working with the security forces), and in South Kurdistan, it uses the KDP.
The KDP has been fighting against the PKK since the autumn of 1985. In fact, all their earnings have been been as a result of this war and received as a “bonus for war against the PKK.” This war between Turkey and the PKK is now greater than ever before and as a result, “war against the PKK” earns more money. The existing KDP administration has entered into many multifaceted agreements with the AKP-MHP fascist administration in order to get this bonus from Turkey.
And to get this bonus, they inform on the guerrillas to Turkey and then surround them. This, then, is why tensions and conflict have emerged between the KDP and the PKK.
Are the positions of both parties then the same in this situation? To say so clearly displays falsehood and lack of conscience. Because the PKK administration says: “We are resisting the colonialist enemy Turkey, come and resist with us, even if you don’t join us, don’t stand by the enemy, and don’t shoot us in the back.” In response to this, the KDP administration says: “The PKK is reponsible for all of this. The PKK should get out and leave Kurdistan.” The KDP administration feels that its relations with the Turkish state are right. It is developing them further and it does not see the Turkish state as responsible for what is happening.
The current state of tension and conflict has come about not as a result of the PKK’s policies, but completely as a result of those of the KDP and its mentality. The KDP’s relations with Turkey and its opposition to the PKK has reached such a degree as to go beyond mere treachery and collaboration with the enemy
Why then, despite this reality, do certain elements still hold the KDP and the PKK equally responsible for what is happening? Because they are afraid to speak out against the KDP. It is clear that it is not difficult to see the plain truth of the situation. Such elements equate saying the slightest word to the KDP with working in partnership with the PKK. The KDP frightens the whole of Kurdish society in this way, because it does not hold back from persecution and oppression.
It is observed, at this point, that certain elements behave in this way because they have respect for the KDP. These elements are wrong because they do not know the truth of the history and reality of the KDP: they feel respect for the KDP as the “first Kurdish party.” Whereas today’s KDP is not the KDP that was established in Mahabad by Qazi Muhammad and his friends. It is also not the KDP that was established by Kurdish liberals in Süleymaniye. This party is the Barzani party, which was taken over in a coup by Mustafa Barzani and is run dependent on external forces.
In fact, it is hard to even call today’s KDP a party at all. It is clear that it is a family and a tribal organisation. Everything is done in the interrest of Barzani and his tribe. The land sold to Turkey on the border today was sold because it belongs to other tribes. By selling it, Barzani weakens the other tribes and strengthens himself. And, at the same time, he gains favour from AKP-MHP fascism, the enemy of the Kurds.
It is necessary to oppose this trade-off. It is clear that true patriotism for Kurdistan necessitates opposition to the mentality and policies of the KDP.
