Only BDP could stand against AKP, says Demirtas
Only BDP could stand against AKP, says Demirtas
The only power which could stand against the ruling AKP is the Kurdish movement, said the co-chair of pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Selahattin Demirtaþ. “In terms of ideologies the rest have been defeated by the AKP, and in terms of getting organised they have surrendered themselves” added Demirtaþ. He further stated that if the democratic powers in the country, including the main opposition party CHP can form a block AKP’s ideological expansionism can be prevented.
Taking part in the Kurdish conference at the European Parliament which took place on 17-18 November BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaþ spoke to ANF and gave information about the role of BDP in the solution to the Kurdish problem, BDP’s strategy for the upcoming elections, a possible coalition with CHP and democratic autonomy project.
Negotiations on constitution should start with BDP
*A dialog phase started in the solution to the Kurdish problem which the government cannot deny either. There is an on going dialog between Mr. Öcalan and the state officials. Where does BDP stand in this dialog?
- If the dialog with Mr. Öcalan reaches a certain level, turns into negotiations then a negotiation with BDP over a democratic Constitution or legal studies in the Parliament will also be necessary. Therefore, BDP is the speaking-partner for the constitutional and legal affairs in terms of Kurdish problem. Such a relation however cannot be realized through a simple relation between BDP and AKP or the state. This can only be realized through negotiations. BDP has already prepared itself for this but the government or the state have not show their willingness yet.
Atalay’s statement is important
*Have not you received any signals from the government?
- Of course there is the speech from Minister of Interior Beþir Atalay which he delivered a couple of days ago. He said “BDP is the legitimate interlocutor, beyond being a political party in this matter it is our legitimate speaking-partner. We find this statement important. From now and on we will be pushing to make this develop. In this period we will find out whether the MOI has an intention to negotiate with BDP or not.
* Can this statement from the MOI Beþir Atalay be named as a start?
- Yes this can be a beginning.
The Commission for the elections has been formed
* Since the constitutional referendum of 12 September there is an atmosphere of elections. During your speech at the Kurdish conference in the parliament you said you are “bound hand and foot”. So how would such a political party prepare itself for the elections?
- Our part has been bound hand and foot for the last 20 years. Despite it we have always gained a victory in the elections and got more powerful. Does not matter if they bound us hand and foot we will still win a victory. In order to receive the fair representation which our people deserve 10% threshold, treasury aid and release of our unjustly arrested friends are crucial issues. However, even if these do not happen we cannot present them as an excuse not to work for the elections.
We have already formed a commission for the elections which started working for the upcoming elections. The technical infrastructure is ready and they are feasibility reports from the regions are being prepared so that we will be able to find out our deficiencies from the previous elections. I mean, we have already started our election campaign with fever.
BDP’s constitution draft will be ready by February
* Which subjects will be in focus at your electoral campaign?
- These elections will be the elections for the constitution. A new democratic constitution will be the focus of the elections. Therefore, in our campaign we will introduce our own constitution draft to the people. We have started drafting a constitution which will be ready by February.
*Will the draft be based on your Democratic Autonomy project?
- It will be a constitution for whole Turkey. Democratic Autonomy project including a solution to the Kurdish problem will also be defined in the draft. Not only autonomy but all our projects on Turkey; social and political rights, individual rights and freedoms, freedom of religion, political parties regime, judiciary and a state model will all be included.
* If the electoral threshold is not lowered will you stand as independent candidates in the elections?
- It is too early to say that. When it is due our part organs will gather and evaluate coalition possibilities. We consider our own power whether we can exceed the threshold then we reach a conclusion. However for the time being there is not a decision taken by our party.
Kurdish movement is the only power who can still stand against AKP
* While there are the dialog and the dispute between AKP and BDP on one side, on the other side there is CHP. Is a coalition between CHP and BDP possible before the elections? If yes under which circumstances?
- CHP or another party, we have always searched for coalitions and strategic partnership at principal. So far we had different attempts and experiences. However at these elections we consider it more important to establish a block against AKP expansionism. Kurdish movement is the only power who can still stand against AKP at the moment. It is because of the ideological power of the Kurdish movement and its well organised structure. In terms of ideologies the rest have been defeated by the AKP, and in terms of getting organised they have surrendered themselves.
At this point if the Kurdish movement can form a block based on democratic values with all the democrats including CHP then AKP’s hegemony and ideological expansion can be stopped. There is no alternative other than this. We the BDP, the Kurdish movement have stopped AKP in the region and it is regressing now. However to make this efficient all over Turkey we need such a democratic block. We might discuss this issue with CHP. If CHP approaches sincere and genuine than we can discuss all possibilities including a election coalition.
Democratic Autonomy is a process of building
* Civil disobedience activities conducted for the mother tongue education are opening a new page in the politics of Turkey. What kind of activities do you have in your agenda for democratic autonomy?
- First of all we consider democratic autonomy as a process of building up. There are no physical obstacles in front of the education in mother tongue. Everybody can establish classes where one can learn in Kurdish. They can study at school but also go to these kind of classes. This is a legitimate right. Such initiatives can start in the region.
Of course it will be more meaningful if this initiatives launched by the Kurdish Linguistic Rights Movement. We will support it as BDP. Or if DTK conducts such activities we will support them as well. There will also be some economical projects by BDP in order to fight poverty and create employment opportunities in the region. Kurdish entrepreneurs will invest in the area. These are all the parts of democratic autonomy. City councils will also get organised in shape of local parliaments. Thus step by step democratic autonomy will be established. It takes its legitimacy from the international law. BDP will especially support the activities for language.
Taking part in the Kurdish conference at the European Parliament which took place on 17-18 November BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaþ spoke to ANF and gave information about the role of BDP in the solution to the Kurdish problem, BDP’s strategy for the upcoming elections, a possible coalition with CHP and democratic autonomy project.
Negotiations on constitution should start with BDP
*A dialog phase started in the solution to the Kurdish problem which the government cannot deny either. There is an on going dialog between Mr. Öcalan and the state officials. Where does BDP stand in this dialog?
- If the dialog with Mr. Öcalan reaches a certain level, turns into negotiations then a negotiation with BDP over a democratic Constitution or legal studies in the Parliament will also be necessary. Therefore, BDP is the speaking-partner for the constitutional and legal affairs in terms of Kurdish problem. Such a relation however cannot be realized through a simple relation between BDP and AKP or the state. This can only be realized through negotiations. BDP has already prepared itself for this but the government or the state have not show their willingness yet.
Atalay’s statement is important
*Have not you received any signals from the government?
- Of course there is the speech from Minister of Interior Beþir Atalay which he delivered a couple of days ago. He said “BDP is the legitimate interlocutor, beyond being a political party in this matter it is our legitimate speaking-partner. We find this statement important. From now and on we will be pushing to make this develop. In this period we will find out whether the MOI has an intention to negotiate with BDP or not.
* Can this statement from the MOI Beþir Atalay be named as a start?
- Yes this can be a beginning.
The Commission for the elections has been formed
* Since the constitutional referendum of 12 September there is an atmosphere of elections. During your speech at the Kurdish conference in the parliament you said you are “bound hand and foot”. So how would such a political party prepare itself for the elections?
- Our part has been bound hand and foot for the last 20 years. Despite it we have always gained a victory in the elections and got more powerful. Does not matter if they bound us hand and foot we will still win a victory. In order to receive the fair representation which our people deserve 10% threshold, treasury aid and release of our unjustly arrested friends are crucial issues. However, even if these do not happen we cannot present them as an excuse not to work for the elections.
We have already formed a commission for the elections which started working for the upcoming elections. The technical infrastructure is ready and they are feasibility reports from the regions are being prepared so that we will be able to find out our deficiencies from the previous elections. I mean, we have already started our election campaign with fever.
BDP’s constitution draft will be ready by February
* Which subjects will be in focus at your electoral campaign?
- These elections will be the elections for the constitution. A new democratic constitution will be the focus of the elections. Therefore, in our campaign we will introduce our own constitution draft to the people. We have started drafting a constitution which will be ready by February.
*Will the draft be based on your Democratic Autonomy project?
- It will be a constitution for whole Turkey. Democratic Autonomy project including a solution to the Kurdish problem will also be defined in the draft. Not only autonomy but all our projects on Turkey; social and political rights, individual rights and freedoms, freedom of religion, political parties regime, judiciary and a state model will all be included.
* If the electoral threshold is not lowered will you stand as independent candidates in the elections?
- It is too early to say that. When it is due our part organs will gather and evaluate coalition possibilities. We consider our own power whether we can exceed the threshold then we reach a conclusion. However for the time being there is not a decision taken by our party.
Kurdish movement is the only power who can still stand against AKP
* While there are the dialog and the dispute between AKP and BDP on one side, on the other side there is CHP. Is a coalition between CHP and BDP possible before the elections? If yes under which circumstances?
- CHP or another party, we have always searched for coalitions and strategic partnership at principal. So far we had different attempts and experiences. However at these elections we consider it more important to establish a block against AKP expansionism. Kurdish movement is the only power who can still stand against AKP at the moment. It is because of the ideological power of the Kurdish movement and its well organised structure. In terms of ideologies the rest have been defeated by the AKP, and in terms of getting organised they have surrendered themselves.
At this point if the Kurdish movement can form a block based on democratic values with all the democrats including CHP then AKP’s hegemony and ideological expansion can be stopped. There is no alternative other than this. We the BDP, the Kurdish movement have stopped AKP in the region and it is regressing now. However to make this efficient all over Turkey we need such a democratic block. We might discuss this issue with CHP. If CHP approaches sincere and genuine than we can discuss all possibilities including a election coalition.
Democratic Autonomy is a process of building
* Civil disobedience activities conducted for the mother tongue education are opening a new page in the politics of Turkey. What kind of activities do you have in your agenda for democratic autonomy?
- First of all we consider democratic autonomy as a process of building up. There are no physical obstacles in front of the education in mother tongue. Everybody can establish classes where one can learn in Kurdish. They can study at school but also go to these kind of classes. This is a legitimate right. Such initiatives can start in the region.
Of course it will be more meaningful if this initiatives launched by the Kurdish Linguistic Rights Movement. We will support it as BDP. Or if DTK conducts such activities we will support them as well. There will also be some economical projects by BDP in order to fight poverty and create employment opportunities in the region. Kurdish entrepreneurs will invest in the area. These are all the parts of democratic autonomy. City councils will also get organised in shape of local parliaments. Thus step by step democratic autonomy will be established. It takes its legitimacy from the international law. BDP will especially support the activities for language.
