Pro-Kurdish opposition leader meets Lavrov in Moscow – Turkey on brink of civil war

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Pro-Kurdish opposition leader meets Lavrov in Moscow – Turkey on brink of civil war

December 23rd, 2015

Awake Goy

Semen Bagdasarov: People’s Democracy party is not just a pro-Kurdish party, but also left. Now they have 59 seats in parliament, it is quite a strong opposition party to Erdogan. Supporting this party, we support the aspirations of the Turkish people to improve the life of not only the Kurds, but also the Turks. In my opinion, this is absolutely right.

There is also a major opposition Republican People’s party led by Kemal Kilichdaroglu, it is also necessary to talk to him. There is another far-right Party of Nationalist Revival, that is the “Grey wolves”, but a dialogue with them is impossible.

Yes, we need to meet with the leaders of the People’s Democracy Party and the Republican People’s party. By the way, Kilichdaroglu and Demirtash come from the people of Zaza, who have always been in the opposition.

SP: Is the establishment of relations of Moscow with the opposition related to the beginning of clashes with Kurds in Turkey?

SB: There are not just clashes in Turkey, it’s a civil war. Demirtash warned a few months ago that the country is on the verge of civil war, now it has begun. Following the statements of Erdogan and Prime Minister Davutoglu that “the liberation of the territories from bandits has begun.” In fact, we are talking about ethnic cleansing, thousands of people are now fleeing from their towns and villages. The PKK has declared that the war has began.And naturally, we stand against ethnic cleansing, and will refer to the UN with condemnation. By the way, the sweeps are now conducted right on the border with Syria.

SP: What help can we provide to the opposition in Turkey?

SB: We need to meet, talk, provide all kinds of support. First of all, we must help the Syrian Kurds who are associated more with the PKK. Between the PKK and the People’s Democracy party there is a significant difference. The People’s Democracy party is in favor of a peaceful solution to the Kurd issue and the PKK is open to the use of force if necessary. In any case, Turkey should brace itself.

SP: Can Russia help the opposition to unseat Erdogan?

C Erdogan cannot be easily unseated, this is not a serious thought. He, apparently, is there for a long haul, although anything can happen. But we can still support the PKK, it will be a serious headache for Erdogan, Davutoglu and all their clique.

Demirtash is a very promising politician, – says a leading researcher of the Center for Asian and African Studies of the Higher School of Economics, Alexey Obraztsov. – He was a successful lawyer, but at some point decided to go first into the human rights movement and then into politics. Of course, he created a miracle. Until recently it was impossible to imagine that a party that did not hide it was a wing of the PKK would make it into the parliament. The first time it was elected into the parliament with fantastic numbers. On second elections, they still received mandates, despite enormous pressure. Demirtash can expect a bright political future if he, of course, will be able to survive in the current situation.

Russia doesn’t aim to gather opposition forces. They have gathered themselves long ago and established ties. If we set aside the far-right Party of Nationalist Revival, the People’s Democracy party and the Republican People’s party certainly are in touch.

In fact, why shouldn’t Lavrov meet with Demirtash? Turkey positions itself as a European state. And it is normal, when the leaders of parliamentary parties meet with representatives of diplomatic agencies of other countries.

SP: But the meeting will be held amid a troubled background.

SB: The Kurdish areas of Turkey have always been special, the situation has always been difficult there. At one time, Erdogan’s government has invested heavily into the adaptation of the Kurdish areas. Indeed, the imbalance between the regions was monstrous. For example, in Istanbul 15 years ago minimum wage was $400, and in the Kurdish areas not the minimum but the average salary was $150. A lot of money was invested in the regions. A ceasefire was signed with the PKK. Overall, if not pacification, but a long truce was established. But Erdogan now destroyed it.

SP: How can we use the current situation?

SB: For now, as our president said, the political dialogue with the Turkish leadership is impossible. And thus practical results from the proposed meeting of Demirtash with Lavrov are possible. Turkey should be occupied with internal problems, of which there are many. If these problems intensify, then the Turkish government will have something to deal with besides geopolitical games. By the way, now we see the reluctance of Erdogan to deal with internal problems instead of external.