http://www.zaman.com/?bl=columnists <http://www.zaman.com/?bl=columnists&alt=&trh=20061020&hn=37543> &alt=&trh=20061020&hn=37543 Fearing Politics Mehmet Agar, leader of Turkey's True Path Party (DYP), issued a call to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to "make politics in the valley instead of holding guns in the mountain." This statement gave consolation to worries over the Kurdish problem. This consolation has in some way decoded those who hide their intentions with different words. Behind this cover, there also rests a fear of politics. Problems always have a "political solution," which is never solitary. The advantage political solutions have is that they include the people. A politician who gets his power and authority directly from the people signs his name to sound and permanent solutions by bringing the people into the solution. Categorical rejection of political solution is a state of fear. As can be seen in Latin American countries, the greatest fear is losing power and prestige by groups armed with weapons and privileges. The military's only fear is politics. In a place where there are strict rules and a distinct hierarchy, entering a world of rich alternatives means being involved with work that has no rules and limits. Beyond being a democratic principle, the prohibition on politics for the military is to prevent soldiers from intervening in activities where they will be inept and unsuccessful. As Motherland Party leader Erkan Mumcu indicated, politics is the job of politicians and Agar's audience is not the Chief of Staff, but politicians. These politicians include those who reject politics, such as Baykal. The words spoken by Baykal in criticism of Agar are nothing but the mere expression of a fear of politics felt by a politician who exists because of politics. "Is one making terror in the mountains opposed to the one making politics in the valley? They are working on the same project. One is working with a gun and one is making politics working in the valley." Baykal said he was saddened by Agar's "politics in the valley instead of weapons in the mountains" statement, but he would not answer this question why politics, instead of weapons, make a politican uncomfortable. The military solution aimed at rendering ineffective kicks in at the point where politics is exhausted. Rejecting a political solution in advance means presenting guns as the only solution. If by rejecting politics you accept guns as the only solution, then you legitimatize the terror of the other side. The one with the weapons will then say, "They didn't leave me any other choice!" A state that accepts solutions based on violence as the only solution loses its legitimacy in the eyes of its own citizens. A politician who puts on the same scale "those making terror in the mountains and those making politics in the valley" as Baykal did has given terror legitimacy. The Kurdish Question has entered a new phase. This phase means the exhaustion of the logic and necessity of violence. This is not only true for PKK terror, but it means the end of military solutions on the state level as well. Those in Turkey who, by leaving the "solution" to the state and by surrendering to a military "solution," have the luxury of not thinking for themselves need to start thinking again. The words spoken by my friend Suleyman Eryigit, whose thoughts I highly regard, while criticizing me exactly reflect what Turkey is looking for: "For some time the expression 'political solution' has been used, but there is no follow-up; what's in the back of their minds isn't articulated. For example, until now have you ever heard a statement from a "Kurdish intellectual" or from "politicians" that goes beyond a vague "political solution" and states clearly and openly how this solution will work and removes the uncertainty of it?" The answer is, does Turkey have a problem? Of course, saying "no" is a political perspective, but it isn't realistic. But regardless of what we call it, if you answer "yes," everything you say as a solution to the problem includes you in a political solution. Just as we don't expect a statement from dear Suleyman as an answer to the "general" question. We want a common share in a platform where different solutions that don't include weapons are talked about. Is there any difference between what Baykal said on rejecting politics, and what the IHD president said at a "Kurdish Conference" held by the European Parliament when he stated, "With the cease-fire in Turkey, negativity prevails instead of positive developments?" Fearing politics means being sentenced to a state of madness where violence dominates and logic is void. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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