Whoever May Have Planted, Bomb Targets Peace
"No matter who was behind this attack" said Yurttas, "we will continue to insist on peace. Before anything, the perpetrators have to be revealed. No matter who did this incident, it should not be left uncovered.
In an exclusive interview with Yurttas in Diyarbakir, bianet asked the Kurdish politician his views on the consequences of the bombing, the DTP's appeal for a unilateral cease-fire directed at the PKK a day before the incident and the peace process in light of the current conditions in Diyarbakir.
What are your views on this bombing?
This attack is important due to its timing, location, severity and consequences. It took place a day after our ceasefire appeal to the PKK.
Diyarbakir was chosen for this attack. Diyarbakir has not had such incidents in the past 20, 30 years. This was the most severe attack against the atmosphere we were part of creating, against peace. A response was given to our ceasefire appeal. These are not coincidences.
As for the consequences. No matter who did this, it is a provocation in every way. The target is to change the way things are going. The atmosphere that could be created with a positive response to our ceasefire appeal has the potential to seriously change policies in Turkey. I am not saying had. I am saying has. Because efforts to cut down violence and lack of dialogue have to continue. There is the chance to preempt this provocation. Everyone should do what is required of them.
Claims have appeared in the press that the attack was carried out by those elements in the PKK who want the violence to continue. Police Directorate spokesman Ismail Caliskan said the mechanism used in the explosion was the same as those used by the PKK. If these allegations are true, what are you planning to do?
Of course we will continue to insist on peace. We believe that this is politically correct.
We believe that this insistence is a social need. Our chairman said this too; the demand for peace is a demand that comes from the grassroots and is a vital demand. Even if we don't make this demand as individuals or as a party, it will be demanded.
Actually this very attack has increased this need and made it very visible.
Another proof that this incident is a provocation to block the steps of peace is this: While we issued the PKK ceasefire appeal, taking into account the reaction that would come from intellectuals, political parties, civil society organizations, we were planning to deepen our work.
Instead of the limited work we are carrying out today to share the grief, we were going to look at what we could do in parliament, what could be done at the level of workers and employers. We were planning to bring together all social circles in this process. In other words, we would have been working on expanding the efforts today. Not only us, but the public opinion and media would have been concentrating on this too.
But now, with the very limited amount of criminal information in our hands, we are trying to find political results. Instead of concentrating on "How do we realize peace" we are now talking about "who carried out this attack, why".
It is correct to identify it as a provocation because of this. It has changed the agenda.
Without doubt, no matter who was behind this attack, our efforts are directed at our mutual future and peace. We will continue to insist on peace.
Because when one looks at the bloody picture in the Middle East, the serious need for such a process can be clearly seen. The peace process is a process that effects the future of the Middle East too. If Turkey cannot bring itself out of the environment of conflict, it could be dragged into the swamp of wavering balances in the Middle East.
We only have the opportunity to evaluate information related to the incident from the press. But the Turkish Revenge Brigade (TIT) claiming responsibility to the attack and publishing photographs in line with police reports have revealed the address.
We are not the prosecution. We do not have information in our hands either. But those photographs and statements correspond with each other.
One also needs to pay attention to the belief and common sense of the people. Yesterday we were paying a condolence visit to a village in Silvan from where eight lives were lost. The fathers and grandfathers of the children who died, the whole of the village, appeared to be prepared for a very serious ceremony.
It was such a gathering, such a farewell, such a share of grief... They had no suspicion whatsoever over the source of the attack. They have no doubt it was carried out by dark forces such as TIT. One cannot brush this aside.
What response did the PKK give to your ceasefire appeal?
We have not received a reply yet. We are waiting. We are very confident that we will receive a positive response. We cannot say anything on when and its duration but we are aware of this need. We hope that our appeal will be given importance. We believe that we can solve our problems only in peace.
The truth is that when issuing the ceasefire appeal, we were always talking that this period could face provocations.
What is the situation in Diyarbakir like after the attack?
Hopelessness and anger is spreading. Despite all of our efforts, a social explosion is a danger that is constantly growing. It is taking shape as a reaction.
If you add unemployment, economic poverty and the increase in the number of people who have lost hope in the future, you can guess the danger. This attack was salt and pepper for these feelings.
Who should do what for the peace you mention?
Before anything, the [Diyarbakir] perpetrators need to be uncovered. This explosion, due to some of its sides, might be an accident for those responsible. Or it could be very professional. But first of all the perpetrators should be brought to justice. This is important to satisfy the feeling of justice in the community.
This incident, whoever was responsible, should not remain in the dark.
Also the government, state, should show the determination exhibited by our party, to correctly evaluate our peace appeal and in the case of a possible ceasefire, effort not to waste time as in previous instances.
I believe we no longer have the right to waste time or opportunities. We are all on this same ship. In order for there to be a better way, to avoid injury, parties, government and the state's relevant organs above all need to show maximum care.
The sensitivity of the civil society on this issue is clear anyway.
How do you evaluate the US appointing a coordinator for the PKK to Turkey?
The way I think is that if the policies pursued for 80 years had not been pursued, such an institutionalization would not have been required. There is a new element here. The new element is that when you read between the lines, it shows that this [issue] has come to the point of being discussed at a table, that the problem has become international.
It is understood that on the international platform the problem needs to be put on a table. It shows that the traditionalist policies pursued by the state have been overcome. It is not being thought, as assumed, to give "a list of targets so the USA or NATO can solve the problem instead of us".
It means the issue has entered the agenda of US foreign policy in a more comprehensive way. For the Kurds living in Turkey to live in peace, to continue their existence as citizens of Turkey is not only important for Turkey itself, but of importance to the Middle East, European Union and the USA. (TK/EK/II