Bakırhan's response to Bahçeli's operation threat: Will we walk by rote?

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli signaled an operation yesterday by saying that military intervention was inevitable if the SDF/YPG did not comply with the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Syrian administration.

The Democratic Party (DEM) Party (DEM) responded to the MHP leader's question. DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan answered questions from Ahmet Güneş of the Yeni Yaşam newspaper.

Bakirhan said:

"To tell any community in the region, including the Kurds, to assimilate within a structure that, without guaranteeing its own security, is, moreover, unreliable with its current practices and whose democratic character has not yet been clarified, would be both unethical and unconscionable. What guarantee can be offered that the Kurds will not experience the tragedy that the Alevis and Druze experienced? The solution to these problems is not through threats of operations, but through dialogue based on rights and law. Without concrete guarantees as to the status and rights Kurds will live in, simply saying "surrender" is neither compatible with justice nor peace.

"THE DAMASCUS SIDE THAT DISREGARDS THE AGREEMENT"

They are demanding compliance with the March 10th agreement. I ask: Is the name Syrian Arab Republic consistent with the spirit of the March 10th agreement? Is announcing the Syrian transitional constitution without consulting the Kurds, Druze, Alawites, Turkmens, or Syrians consistent with the March 10th agreement? Is not consulting the Kurds or Syrians when announcing the government or appointing the president consistent with the March 10th agreement? Does the March 10th agreement mean that the peoples and faiths living in Syria, especially the Kurdish people, are deprived of their own identities, beliefs, and right to participate in governance? Moreover, it is Damascus that disregards the March 10th agreement with all these policies.

To strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Persians in this region, the principle of equality must be embraced first. Türkiye's defense of the legitimate rights, dignity, and status of the Kurdish people in neighboring countries is also the expectation of millions of its own Kurdish citizens.

"WILL WE WALK BY REMEMBERING?"

The important thing here is this: Will we really move forward and solve things by talking and following the ways and methods that the world has tried and that have solved its problems most effectively, or will we walk with the rote knowledge in our baggage?

For us, this process is a period of transformation, one in which violence is replaced by politics, conflict by dialogue, and alienation by embracing. We are working tirelessly to achieve this in the best possible way. (AKP Spokesperson) Mr. Ömer Çelik is on the side of "no."

"IF YOU ARE, DON'T WALK YOUR FINGER"

You can't justify everything. We must speak fairly. Because this process isn't a "do-it-yourself" process. If we're going to discuss expectations and steps, we must remember that despite the historic steps taken, not a single concrete step has yet been implemented.

For example, the Kurds' face is in Damascus, and they express this every day. So why isn't your face among those who support a democratic solution and dialogue? That's the real question. All the rest is just "projection psychology."

For example, why aren't there any official meetings with the "Northeast Syria" delegation? Why are the cabinet ministers more preoccupied with Syrian affairs than with the peace and resolution process in their own countries? Since this is a strategic step, since the fate of the country and the region will change, why aren't realistic promises being made? For example, has a single proposal regarding democratic integration been shared with the public? If there is, don't point fingers.

"RECOGNITION OF KURDS' LAW WILL NOT WEAKEN Türkiye"

Bakırhan also said, “The mind that calls for Parliament should be open to Mr. Öcalan’s solution proposals and be able to discuss them.”

We understand and respect Türkiye's historical concerns. However, resolving these concerns is possible not by ignoring or threatening the rights of other peoples, but by building a shared future based on equal brotherhood. Recognizing the rights and legal systems of the Kurds will not weaken Türkiye; on the contrary, it will strengthen it and contribute to regional stability.

Source: News Center