Ekinci Makes a Call to PKK to Leave the Arms

Moderate Kurdish politician and former member of Turkish Parliament Tarik Ziya Ekinci has voiced support to Monday's appeal by the Democratic Society Party (DTP) for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to declare a unilateral ceasefire, but said he is afraid the organization will attempt to attach conditions to it as it had previously done.

Ekinci, 81, in politics since 1960 and known to many Kurds as "Big Brother", said it was essential for the PKK to lay down arms with no conditions at all in order for democracy forces in the country to advance.

The politician who previously held a seat in parliament as member of the Workers Party of Turkey (TIP) was interviewed by bianet on a day the country marked its 1980 military coup - after which he himself spent three years in prison for cultural and political activities and was made to seek shelter in exile in Paris for 3 more years afterwards.

"The Turkish public is showing great sensitivity" he said, referring to ongoing attacks in Southeast Turkey and the recent reaction voiced over the death of Turkish soldiers in actions. "It was very proper and correct for the DTP to make such an appeal".

Ekinci recalled that hundreds of Kurdish intellectuals in Turkey including himself had made a similar appeal to the PKK last year and said "the fact that the DTO has now joined in this shows the Kurdish intellectual public opinion and Kurdish political circles have also joined this appear and that they approve of it. Because of this reason, I feel the appeal is proper".

The politician added, "I hope the PKK gives ear to this appeal and will immediately and unconditionally take a decision for ceasefire. The path for the democracy forces will open. That the democracy forces and those supporting democracy and human rights in Turkey who want to create the conditions of living together will have what they want. And that the government and the state take measures in this framework and Turkey reaches peace."

Asked what the role of the government could be in such a period, Ekinci warned that the "nationalist wave in Turkey is on the incline" and said some circles were exploiting this. He said the government was caught between the two sides where it was attempting to use the wave of nationalism while joining it while have a responsibility, was trying to see whether there was a more acceptable solution to this problem.

"I believe the government will also be pleased by this appeal and through it, will be able to save itself from having double standards" Ekinci said. "I think that if there is a ceasefire the government will come to a more sensible line".

PKK sees nationalist sensitivity... but

In response to a question on the issue, Ekinci said "I think that the PKK ranks saw that the escalating nationalist sensitivity was against their interest. And, particularly by the European public there is a direct attitude against the PKK and it is being said in almost all circles that the PKK is a terrorist organization".

"All of these show that the PKK has to take a step back. I am hoping that other than making the PKK come to a sensible point, this appeal made by the DTP will make it lay down its arms".

In reference to an August 23 "declaration" issued by the PKK where it mentioned peace but on terms, Ekinci said "this declaration where it placed conditions for ceasefire was totally political."

He said the declaration coincided with the US appointment of a PKK special coordinator and was an attempt on part of the organization to argue it was not a terrorist organization and that it was a nationalist organization that defended national democratic rights.

"In reality" Ekinci added, "in the objective conditions, what should happen is for the PKK to take the decision of a ceasefire with no condition at all. In order for the democracy forces in Turkey to be more effective and for them to defend their demands more effectively, this is needed."

"No use in terror "

Ekinci also said there was no remaining benefit in continuing terror and added, "it is not possible for this to achieve any result. It [the PKK] is face to face with doing what is sensible".

He noted that it was realistic for the PKK to make such a [peace] statement in the process of a US coordinator being assigned to the region but that conditions, particularly reaction from the European Union and European public showed it needed to step back more.

"Until now these have been no statement from the PKK that it has taken an unconditional ceasefire decision. I hope that it will be able to say I have decided on a ceasefire without demanding new conditions" Ekinci said.

He also called on the general public opinion to insist on the PKK's ceasefire under all conditions, as it was crucial to end the bloodshed. "At this stage," he said, "this is what needs to be done and to make any further demands, in my view, would be unjust". (KO/II/YE)