Yaşar Kemal Speaks out on Kurdish Question

Writer Yaşar Kemal, himself of Kurdish descent, gave a long interview to the daily Radikal newspaper that was published in several parts.

He said, "Everyone knows what the solution is," adding that it had to be based on recognising human rights and that brave steps had to be taken fast.

"Turkey needs to become a modern democracy", which for the writer means that everyone can live their language, culture and nature."

The novelist said, "For eighty years we have never thought about why people have been in the mountains for so many years."

"An issue of democracy"

Referring to President Abdullah Gül's recent comment that there was a "historical opportunity" to solve the Kurdish question, Kemal said, "The President is well-intentioned. The Kurdish question is Turkey's main problem, it is Turkey's problem of modernity, it is Turkey's problem of democracy."

He added, "The President has encouraged those people in Turkey who don't want war. This strength is increasing and more and more well-intentioned people are seeing the reality. Neither Turks nor Kurds ever wanted to separate."

Kemal continued, "Leaders in Turkey are frightened of democracy. In a democratic society, never mind 20 million people, not one person can be deprived of human rights."

He also criticised Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for refusing to meet with the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party's (DTP) co-chair Ahmet Türk. (Radikal/AG)