MESOP BACKGROUNDER : Erdogan is continuing peace talks: expert (WAHD AL DIN INCE)

23 Aug 2015 – An expert and political analyst of Turkey affairs, Wahd al-Din Ince, told Kurdpress that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not halted peace talks between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Ankara and is continuing the talks in his own way, denying that ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) would approach to National Movement Party (MHP).

As you know Mr. Ince Turkey is bombing the bases of the PKK in Qandil Mountains in Kurdistan Region and in Turkey. What do you think the move?

The reality is that the peace process between Kurds and Turks, that started two years ago had brought hope into Turkey but the recent attacks (whoever is to be blamed) has disappointed hopes and I am personally very disappointed about the events; as the process was useful for both sides. Kurdish people were living under war, oppression and bloodshed but new hope was circulating in Turkey as there was no bloodshed in the past two years. It is not important that who is to be blamed for the attacks as what is important is that Kurdistan mountains are being bombed and Kurdish and Turkish youth are being killed and that is very sad.

Erdogan discredited unilaterally the Dolmebahce deal between Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu and Turkey pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). Why has Erdogan made such a move?

You know that it was Erdogan and the AKP who opened a way for the peace process and it was Erdogan, himself, who stood against it and it was because Turkey was seeking to conduct military operation outside its borders and therefore needed a third side and it was the US which Erdogan wanted to convince it in this regard. All these events do not mean that Erdogan is seeking to end the peace process. He wants to continue it but in his own way.

Turkey says its attacks on the PKK are within operation against terrorism. Don’t you think that the HDP 13 percent votes in June 7 parliament elections is the main reason behind the move? Is AKP seeking to revenge on Kurds for his failure to form a majority government?

It is very irrational for the AKP to seek the goal. In fact it is not at the status of a government, a politician or a party to take revenge because of an election result and it/ he would risk its/his credibility and rationality by making such an attempt. There are speeches like these inside the public opinion and I do not like to read the events in that way. this is election and the people would vote anyone they like; they voted for the AKP in the last election but they cast their votes in favor of the HDP as a strategy and it would be the biggest disaster for Turkey if it seeks to revenge on Kurds for the reason and all sides would receive damages seriously as politically the issue is against bases.

It seems that the AKP is increasingly approaching towards the MHP. Can the issue bring back black 1990s? What future do you predict for the peace talks?

It would be great of the AKP would be able to convince the NHP over the peace process but it seems very unlikely and impossible. The second scenario is that the AKP would lean towards that MHP and the AKP would then be a complete loser in next election in Kurdish regions and would not win any votes, a situation that would deteriorate the crisis. So that is very unlikely for the AKP to choose the second path and it is expected that the party (AKP) would try to convince the MHP to accept the Turkish-Kurdish peace talks.

Interview: Murad Broki Milan