ANKARA, Turkey – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which has good ties with the ruling party in Turkey, is of the view that a yes-vote in Turkey’s referendum may re-open the door for the peace process between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish state, the party’s representative to Ankara told Rudaw.
Commenting Sunday’s referendum on constitutional reforms that will replace Turkey’s parliamentary system with an executive presidency, Omar Mirani said that Kurds in Turkey should study and compare the current constitution with the amended one to see which one has “benefits” for millions of Kurds in Turkey.
“Regarding us, we as Kurds should look at what are the benefits in the previous constitution and what are the benefits in the current constitution. And based on that we should act,” Mirani told Rudaw. “But if we say no randomly, why should we, for no reason, turn ourselves into the enemy of a government or a state, without even getting any benefits?” Mirani argued, adding that Kurds should find “a reason” to vote either way.
Asked whether there is still a possibility for a return to the peace process which ended in mid-2015 when armed conflict resumed between the PKK and Turkey, Mirani said that that depends on which way the Turkish people vote in the referendum.
“One should never be disappointed, or close all doors. Everything is possible,” he said. “In my view, ‘No’ does not have any benefits that [may make] Turkey to open the doors again. Turkey may become even more complicated. But ‘Yes’ has another possibility, another chance that the doors may open again for negotiation, for peace. And even some parties... can become mediators.”
President Masoud Barzani, who leads the KDP and enjoys good relations with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, has said time and again that he is ready to help with the peace process should both sides decide to go back to the negotiating table.
Asked whether the KDP has been officially working for a renewed peace process, Mirani said no, but added that they are meeting all the time with “our HDP brothers”, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Whichever way the Turkish nation votes, Mirani said they wish that “it ends well.”
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