Köksal’s road map

Those who are reading between the lines accurately can read developments correctly. Former Undersecretary of the National Intelligence, or MIT, Sönmez Köksal had predicted that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, may surrender within two-and-a-half months. Köksal suggested a three-step strategy:

“In the first step the PKK militants who are not involved in any crime or terror activities would be allowed to return. In the second step, militants who are involved in terror crimes would be dealt with. In the third step, the leadership of the organization might be removed from northern Iraq. Asylum would be sought for them in Europe.”

I read this as an “unannounced road map” of the state for it came from a veteran state official. The PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers whom I talked with had interpreted Köksal’s recommendations as the “most realistic solution”.

On the other evening, I talked to Köksal again. I asked him what needs to be done in the first step. He said:

“This first step should continue. In the Mahmur Camp there are 11,500 people, very few of whom are involved in the PKK activities. We should manage to bring them back into the country and protect their personal rights. On the other hand, the PKK militants not involved in any acts of terror should surrender. In the mean time, the PKK should announce no terror activities in the process. Those who committed crime should leave Turkey and wait for the following steps…”

In order to move from first step to the second, Köksal asks attention of all:

• The organization’s logistic supply should be limited through Syria-Baghdad-Arbil channel. The United States will support the process since they want stability in the region.

• In the meantime, the government should prepare for legal measures for the second step.

• Therefore, other legs of the initiative should be slowly pushed back to the fore.

On the reception of returnees, he said “I wouldn’t even want to think that the surrendered would be able to arrive in Ankara on top of busses. That would paralyze the process at the beginning. The DTP should act wisely and prove that they are “Turkey’s party”.

What about the opposition’s attitude? “I sadly follow them. For the process shouldn’t be reason to deepen polarization. This is a national issue. I wish they had prepared a national program jointly.”

Is there a possibility of amnesty in the second stage? “It is early to talk about amnesty. It could help but we have to be realistic. First of all, we should allow the public to digest this. And for that both the organization and the DTP should clearly address their stance. Inaction is important for this reason…”

The process was reflected as if it was started with Öcalan’s call. But apparently the National Security Council, or MGK, gave a silent nod and that there is a serious preparation period. “Similar approaches are followed in the world,” Köksal says. “Clandestine contacts are part of it. Let’s not be scared.”

The picture is getting clearer. We hear the footsteps of approaching stages.

* Mr. Can Dündar is a columnist for the daily Milliyet in which this piece appeared Thursday. It was translated into English by the Daily News staff.