Ceasefire Positive but Short

Kongra-Gel, which took Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statements on the Kurdish problem as a show of good will, has announced a one-month ceasefire. Kongra-Gel had begun its campaign of violence on June 1, 2005.

Tuncer Bakirhan, head of the pro-Kurdish Democratic People's Party (DEHAP), Levent Tuzel, head of The Party of Labour (EMEP), Hayri Kozanoglu, head of the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP), Yusuf Alatas, head of the Human Rights Association, and Gencay Gursoy, head of the Istanbul Chamber of Physicians and the spokesperson of the citizens group which met with the Prime Minister, said they hope that the ceasefire decision paves the way for a permanent peace.

DEHAP head Bakirhan said Prime Minister Erdogan needs to come up with important projects on the issue:

"Some argue that the one-month halt to violence is too short," said Bakirhan. "But it is up to us, the government, the intellectuals and the people in Turkey to make the ceasefire lasting. Our efforts will determine that. There should be solution and peace in our country instead of clashes and a situation of no-solution. We should be a model for solution instead of clashes and lack of solution."

EMEP head Tuzel said the ceasefire decision by Kongra-Gel is an important development. The organization made the decision after the Prime Minister met with a group of intellectuals about the Kurdish problem and made a statement following a visit to the predominantly Kurdish province of Diyarbakir.

"The state should let go of the attitude of not wanting to deal with a terrorist organization and take steps to find a solution to the problem," said Tuzel. "It should take democratic steps for peace and deal with the problem."

"It is important that violence will stop, even though it is only for a brief period of time," said ODP head Kozanoglu.

IHD head Alatas called for a permanent ceasefire. "We see the decision as a positive step but the one-month period is too short," said Alatas. "We wish the ceasefire was indefinite. But despite all, this is a positive development. We hope that the steps that will be taken during this one-month period will create a permanent peace situation. We, as the association, will continue our efforts for peace. Democratic institutions will play a key role here. The government and the state should continue their positive stance for the solution of the problem and take steps for a democratic solution."

According to Gursoy, the head of Istanbul Chamber of Physicians. "The ceasefire is too short but may lead to the ending of the clashes. "Positive expansions can be made with the courage and optimism created by the ceasefire." (TK/EA/YE)