TURKEY’S LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER
SCEPTICAL OF PKK TRUCE
While recognizing the need and emphasizing the reformation of individual rights and liberties for all Turkey’s citizens, especially those of Kurdish origin, Liberal Democratic Party of Turkey remains extremely cautious about the so-called `peace process` between the Kurdish terrorist organization, PKK and the government of Turkey.
Contrary to AKP government’s accusations, those who are critically concerned with this bargaining process is neither bloodthirsty nor a warmongers.
It is highly possible and probable that the process may place Turkey between a rock and a hard place.
The Middle East is, without a doubt, on the verge of three major armed conflicts which may turn the region into a fireball and re-draw some borders.
1- A break up of Syria at the end of the current civil war,
2- A high probability of an armed conflict between the Kurdish Regional Government in Erbil and Iraqi Government in Bagdad,
3- An Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
All three of these conflicts would involve and need the participation of Turkey if and when the region explodes.
Yet, Turkey’s involvement in these conflicts without solving her nearly 3 decades year old internal PKK terror problem would spell disaster for Turkey’s territorial integrity.
Turkey’s current daydreaming leadership, given their fantasies of Neo-Ottomanism, may be baited with promises of extended territories of a newly to be formed Turkish-Kurdish Federal Republic or may be reintegration of Turkmen provinces of Kerkuk and Musul and with lucrative shares from oil revenues.
But in our opinion ultimately the Kurdish Federal State would unilaterally break away, carving Southeastern section of today’s Turkey, declare independence and get recognized by major World powers as was the case with Croatia during Yugoslavia’s disintegration.
It is beyond naivety for any politician to assume that powers refused to sell two used frigates to Turkey only two months ago, those refused to provide intelligence of 300 heavily armed men crossing the border into Turkey to ambush a border patrol station, would let Turkey expand its borders, its influence and enjoy a share of Iraqi oil revenues.
Turkey has been forced to a compromising bargaining with PKK for the scenarios in Syria, Iraq and Iran to proceed.
Since we are in no position in politics to influence or control the development of these events, all we can do is drop this note in history.
Cem Toker
Chairman
Liberal Democratic Party
Turkey
