ABANT PLATFORM URGES MUTUAL TOLERANCE IN CLOSING EVALUATIONS

Today’s Zaman
Feb 18 2009
Turkey

In its closing evaluation, the Abant Platform called for tolerance
and further cooperation between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional
Government of Iraq (KRG).

The evaluation mentioned both general principles, such as the
adherence to the rule of law, the responsibility of reinforcing ties of
brotherhood between the two parties and establishing and improving the
atmosphere of dialogue and tolerance, as well as some practical steps,
such as the facilitation of border passages, the opening of a Turkish
consulate in Arbil and a representation office of the KRG in Ankara.

Certain articles in the text were revolutionary vis-a-vis Turkey’s
understanding of Kurdish politics. The text referred to the regional
administration by its constitutional name, i.e., the Kurdistan Regional
Government of Iraq, previously referred to in the Turkish press as
the Northern Iraqi Government, the Regional Government in the North of
Iraq or even as the "formation" in the north of Iraq. In two articles,
the Iraqi Kurdish participants of the platform declared implicitly that
they rejected both the kind of terrorism the Kurdistan Workers’ Party
(PKK) is perpetrating and the kind of politics in which the Democratic
Society Party (DTP) is engaging in Turkey, e.g., ethno-nationalism. The
full text of the closure evaluation of the 18th Abant Platform states
the following:

The Abant Platform’s meeting in Arbil, "Searching for Peace and a
Future Together," held in cooperation with Salahaddin University and
the Mukriyani Institute, was conducted with goodwill and sentiments
of friendship felt by participants.

Gathered together and guided by the common denominators of human
rights, democracy, the rule of law, mutual security and stability, the
participants underlined the need to foster tolerance and friendship.

In the two-day discussions, it was strongly emphasized that mutual
relations and the freshly established dialogue process should be
maintained and expanded.

The Abant Platform, Salahaddin University and the Mukriyani Institute
hereby announce the following points as a text jointly approved by
all parties:

1. Developing relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional
Government of Iraq will bring peace and stability not only to both
parties, but also to the entire region. This development will be to
the benefit of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Assyrians, Syriacs, Chaldeans,
Armenians and all Middle Eastern peoples in Iraq.

2. History, geography and culture have made the Turkish and Kurdish
peoples sister peoples. It is our responsibility to reinforce these
ties of brotherhood.

3. All sorts of policies based on ethno-nationalism are rejected.

4. Iraq’s border with Turkey is a gateway to Europe for Iraq. Turkey’s
border with Iraq is a door to history and civilization for
Turkey. These doors must be kept fully open.

5. Close cooperation should be established between Turkey and the
Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq not only in politics, but also
in culture, economy, commerce, education and health.

6. Passage through border gates should be facilitated as soon as
possible.

7. Parties regard respect for human rights secured by the rule of
law as the most precious common denominator.

8. Every opportunity or occasion should be used to establish and
improve an atmosphere of tolerance and dialogue.

9. Parties believe that securing democratic rights and freedoms,
reinforcing democratic institutions and mobilizing democratic players
in these relations are inevitable.

10. Parties deem it a positive step to organize a conference where
Kurdish political groups may discuss issues through peaceful and
democratic methods.

11. Media organizations should use peaceful, respectful and
constructive language.

12. Parties reject violent methods in the settlement of all sorts
of problems.

13. Parties attach importance to organizing and popularizing meetings
of this kind by utilizing all available resources.

14. It is a generally voiced wish that a Turkish consulate should be
opened in Arbil and a representation office of the Kurdistan Regional
Government of Iraq should be opened in Ankara.