A group of nearly 100 academics and civil society leaders
yesterday conveyed to President Abdullah Gul their wish to see him more actively
involved in finding a solution to the Kurdish issue.
The group in a letter addressing the president announced that they have "missed
living in brotherhood." Among the group were some of the most well-known members
of the Turkish intelligentsia, including such academics, journalists and authors
as İonna Kuçuradi, Halil Berktay, Şerif Mardin, Murat Belge, Mete Tunçay, Ayşe
Buğra, Fuat Keyman, Gençay Gürsoy, Baskın Oran, Jale Parla, Turgut Tarhanlı,
Osman Kavala, Can Paker, Cengiz Aktar, İbrahim Betil, Oya Baydar, Şevket Pamuk,
Tarık Ziya Ekinci and Zeynep Tanbay.
The letter recalled the government's earlier promises to find
a solution to the Kurdish issue by means of dialogue and reason and shared the
observation that mounting violence and nationalist sentiment were blocking
rational searches for a peaceful solution. It also protested against a trial
process under way to shut down the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP).
"The closure of the DTP would deepen the impasse and tension and deal a most
severe blow to democracy at this crucial time when urgent economic, political
and humane solutions [to the Kurdish question] should be sought," the group
said.
At the heart of the Kurdish issue lies an understanding that rejects differences
and that would like to see homogeneous and obedient citizens, while also
condemning everyone who does not agree with this view, the group stated in its
letter. The letter noted that the government was talking about the Kurdish
question with US and EU officials, but avoiding talking to the directly involved
party, the Kurds, which they said was an attitude that was "hurtful" and also
"meriting of concern."
