Ex-Swedish Prime Minister Supports Kurdish Candidate for Parliament
Ex-Swedish Prime Minister Supports Kurdish Candidate for Parliament
02/09/2010 09:53:00 By FATMA SAVCHI – Stockholm, Sweden: Gösta Ingvar Carlsson (76) is a Swedish politician formerly Prime Minister of Sweden for two consecutive terms in the 1980s and 1990s. He was leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party in 1986 – 1996.
Rudaw conducted an interview with him in a gathering made to support Avin Chetin, a Kurdish candidate running to become a member of the Swedish parliament in the fast general approaching elections to be held on September 19.
Rudaw: I think you are here to support Avin Chetin, a Kurdish candidate for the Swedish Parliament. Why?
Carlsson: First of all she is a young woman politician. We should bring in more young women to politics. The society needs young politicians. The best government for gender equality I formed in 1994. However, having an equal number of women and men in the parliament and the government is not enough, women rather must be treated equal in all aspects of life.
What is more, it is necessary for every other ethnic group settled in Sweden to have a representation in the Parliament. Particularly the new generation should take part in politics. Avin is a strong person and very qualified to represent Kurds in Swedish politics.
Rudaw: How do you view Kurdish issue in Turkey, as a former Prime Minister of Sweden? Does Sweden do anything to solve Kurdish problem in Turkey?
Carlsson: Yes, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt might have done good things, but generally Swedish government is not very well in its foreign policy. Swedish aids for poor countries have been reduced. Middle East is a big area mired with some problems; Swedish government should have a fixed policy vis-à-vis the region.
Rudaw: If the Swedish Social Democratic Party was in power, will Swedish government have a different and better policy about the Kurdish problem?
Carlsson: It is an important question. Sure. Social democrats can play a big role in Kurdish problem. I hope if social democrats return to power, they will follow a more leftist policy. But there will be a fear if conservative democrats win next elections. They will impose their view on the public policy. But Kurds need to let pass enough knowledge about their case to other communities and governments. They need to make them aware of their views, ideas and suggestions. With their participation in Swedish politics, Kurds will be able to make Swedish people and government understand their cause better. Kurds know about their problem very well but it is also important to work to make other people understand their problem as well. They need to be active in politics for this purpose. Kurdish young should come to politics. Kurds need [to play] a better role in Swedish policy.
Rudaw: When you were Swedish PM in 1986 you asked the European member countries to hold a meeting about children rights in the world. Now, there are hundreds of Kurdish children in Turkish prisons because of politics. What do you make of that?
Carlsson: We need to tell Turkey that if you want to become member of EU, you must abide by all the international agreements and conventions, including UN convention about children rights.