Kurdish move to become part of national policy

kaya'08 · Aug 18, 2009

As the government continues talks with various groups as part of its Kurdish move, it is taking steps to make the initiative part of national policy and bring it to the agenda of the National Security Council.

The “Kurdish move,” an initiative geared toward ending the Kurdish conflict, was recently announced by the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, government, which plans to make the details of its plan clear by the beginning of the new year.

As part of the initiative, the government is meeting with representatives of diverse segments of society in order to gain their opinions and suggestions on the move. In addition to opposition political parties, the government will also consult with the General Staff and the National Security Council, or MGK, on the issue, the private channel NTV reported Tuesday.

Government officials had earlier said they would put the issue before the MGK, but, contrary to expectations, it was not included on the agenda for the MGK meeting scheduled for Aug. 20. However, the issue will be subject to discussion at that meeting if requested by the military members of the council. The government plans to submit its report, covering its various consultations, at the MGK’s October meeting.

Confidence-boosting measures

During the ongoing consultation process, the government aims to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the country’s Southeast and increase the public’s confidence in the Kurdish move. Intelligence units were warned against possible sabotage attacks by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, that might aim to disrupt this peaceful atmosphere.

The government plans to reduce security points along the region’s highways in an effort to give psychological relief to local residents. But Ankara is not planning any new economic investments in the region, apart from the ongoing Southeastern Anatolia Project, or GAP.

Despite harsh criticism of the government from the opposition parties, neither side has completely ruled out meeting to discuss the issue. The government has reportedly assessed messages from opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, leader Deniz Baykal and some sources say Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is likely to meet Baykal as part of the Kurdish move.

Erdoğan may also meet Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, after that party’s congress, which is scheduled in November.

Kurdish move to become part of national policy - Hürriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Kurdish move to become part of national policy

kaya'08