PKK lays down its arms: how to achieve peace?
Thirty members of the Kurdish PKK burnt their weapons in northern Iraq on Friday in a symbolic step towards ending their insurgency against the Turkish state, which began in 1984. One of the group's leaders said that they would now try to achieve their goals by political means. The press examines the prospects for the peace process.
Democracy is key
If the efforts to achieve peace are meant seriously then democracy must be taken seriously too, Karar insists:
“For Turkey's internal peace, for everyone to live in harmony with one another, and for empathy and solidarity to become the norm and not the exception, the AKP and the CHP must also reconcile. The excessive investigations, detentions and arrests that violate the fundamental principles of law must come to an end. The suspended judgements of the European Court of Human Rights must be implemented. And given that terrorism itself has disappeared, those convicted of terrorist offences must be released through amnesty or other means.”
The opposition should keep out of this
The opposition parties want to sabotage the peace process, says the pro-government Akşam:
“They have already begun to grumble and provoke the families of the martyrs. ... In reality they are neither interested in the martyrs we have lost nor in establishing peace in the country. One doesn't like to think about what the CHP would have done to stop this process if it hadn't got into trouble over corruption and theft operations. ... Now is the time to rebuild a free, peaceful and strong Turkey with our own hands. Whoever puts obstacles in our way should turn away and remain in their own darkness.”
High time for reconciliation
President Erdoğan must now make concessions, writes Der Standard:
“It's true that even in Turkey the existence of the Kurds is no longer denied. However, the situation is still a far cry from one of complete emancipation. It's now up to the Turkish state - although soon all that will remain of that is president-turned-autocrat Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. ... Erdoğan's priority is to maintain his grip on power, not to initiate a process of political and social reconciliation. But in parallel with the PKK's disarmament that is precisely what is urgently needed.”
Why Erdoğan needs the Kurds
The Kurds should not fall for Erdoğan's tactics, comments Der Spiegel:
“Because the timing of the reconciliation process is likely driven by political motives. ... Erdoğan is not allowed to run in the next regular presidential elections scheduled for 2028. ... However the president is having lawyers examine the possibility of amending the constitution. ... For this, Erdoğan will probably need the votes of the Kurds. It is now up to them whether they want to give the Turkish president another term in office and thus potentially the presidency for life, or remain true to their goals and fight together with other opposition parties for the genuine democratic opening of the country.”