Turkish security board reaffirms unity amid autonomy debate

The country’s top security board has underlined Turkey’s “one flag-one nation” status in a move to respond to pro-Kurdish groups’ demands for autonomy, including a semi-autonomous regional parliament and self-defense force.

“Attempts to change the understanding of ‘one flag, one nation, one motherland, one government,’ and the fact that the official language of the Republic of Turkey is Turkish, will not be accepted,” the National Security Council, or MGK, said in a written statement released late Wednesday after a five-hour meeting. The MGK is an advisory board made up of civilian and military officials under the leadership of President Abdullah Gül.

The pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, and the Democratic Society Congress, or DTK, have launched a campaign to promote a number of proposals comprising what they call “democratic autonomy” as a solution to the Kurdish issue. The government and other opposition parties, as well as the military, have issued statements criticizing the proposals, which are seen by opponents as a threat to the unitary republican system.

“The greatest assurance of the unity and togetherness of the Turkish Republic is the determination of the people to live together in brotherhood and peace,” the MGK said in its statement. “Provocations and attempts that target the unity and peace of citizens will not prevail in the face of our peoples’ will to live in brotherhood.”

The council noted that attempts to cause public outcry and approaches that would damage democracy, rights, freedom, peace and brotherhood in the country must be avoided.

BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş issued a strong reaction to the MGK communique. “I call on the MGK members: Kurds will not accept the division of this country even though you attempt to do so. I call on the president: How will you protect the cultures you call [Turkey’s] richness? As the head of the nation you have to put [forth] the formula,” Demirtaş told reporters Thursday.

The leader of the main opposition also responded to MGK’s statements, saying the source of the problem is the government’s miscalculated attempts and policies. “Those who have to obey the board’s decision are the [members of the] government,” Republican People’s Party, or CHP, leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu told reporters late Wednesday. “Among the MGK members are the prime minister, interior minister and other ministers. As they have put their signatures on these decisions, they must take the necessary steps outlined by the MGK.”

Arguing that the current situation was the result of the government’s “democratic opening” process, Kılıçdaroğlu said: “There was no such thing eight or nine months ago. Now the MGK seems to have stepped into the issue. This is in fact evidence proving the government’s failure.”