The Turk's test with the 'opening'

Since 1984, the Turkish nation has defeated the separatist terrorist organization many times. This nation, led by the Turkish Armed Forces, our security forces, our Gendarmerie, and our village guards, has routed the separatist, racist, narco-terrorist organization that took up arms, in the mountains, in the cities, and when necessary, in the trenches.

Although this armed organization has caused irreparable and uncompensable damage and suffering to our country, it has never achieved its ultimate goal. This nation did not hold a knife to its neighbor's throat. It did not become Yugoslavia. It did not equate the separatist terrorist, who is a tool of imperialism, with a neighbor of a different ethnic origin. The Turkish nation, often belittled by claims that "nothing will come of us," did what no other nation could do and did not break its brotherhood.

Let us state it again; the Turkish nation defeated this organization, which executed unarmed soldiers, raided villages, killed people regardless of age or gender, and massacred teachers, doctors, and workers. Where has it ever been seen that the winning side in a war or struggle accepts the conditions of the defeated side? Why should the Turkish nation be forced to accept the conditions imposed today? Why should we hope for help from a convicted organization leader who has been accepted by the ECHR as having received a fair trial? What good will it do us to open a closed book?

Let us think about the soldiers and civilians who served in the eastern and southeastern regions, where Turkey has fought its most intense battle against terrorism, over the past 40 years. Millions of people served in difficult conditions, face-to-face with death. Likewise, our citizens living in the region suffered great pain. We had millions of people who had to live in fear of death and were forced to migrate. As a country, we suffered greatly.

Let us remember the trench operations that took place 10 years ago. In these operations, which resulted in hundreds of lives lost and many wounded as a result of another vague "opening" period, our security forces fought street by street, building by building, and even room by room. It is necessary to read the books or watch the videos that describe this heroic struggle fought shoulder-to-shoulder by soldiers and police. Especially, one must not forget the fact that many of the wounded, who are unfortunately given as mere numbers, have had to live with severe medical consequences such as the loss of limbs.

While Israel was committing a massacre in Gaza without observing any humanitarian or moral rules, the Turkish security forces suffered so many losses in the aforementioned trench operations because they acted with the intention of distinguishing between innocent citizens and terrorists. Is there any other state that shows as much care as we do while fighting terrorism?

Now, I would like to ask a few questions to our esteemed "state elders" for them to think about and answer regarding this new opening/solution process:

Why are we sitting at the table with this organization, which we have defeated through armed struggle, and whose remaining handful of members we know down to their shoe sizes thanks to our domestic and national weapons and technologies? Will the definition of citizenship in the Constitution change, or will the unitary state structure change? Will education in a language other than Turkish be on the table? Was advice/suggestion/instruction received from a foreign state to begin this new process? Instead of using veiled language, why don't you clearly tell the public the real goal?

Those who govern the state must explain the situation to the public honestly. They can say that the conditions we are in are forcing the current process upon us. They can say that if we do not accept it, various dangers are at the door; it is our right to know. Or do we have other goals because we are a "game-maker state"? (Game-maker state: A concept used on screens by those whose shirt buttons won't close from overeating while the citizens are malnourished). The unitary state structure is the unifying element of Turkey; if it is a subject of discussion and negotiation, it must be explained to the nation in clear language. Leaving aside democracy and the rule of law, even the principal-agent relationship requires the agent to provide information and accountability to the principal. It is our right to know, for the sake of the vote we cast. I fear that after a while, we will be expressing our demands with the justification of "for the sake of Allah."

If the path taken is to be for the benefit of our country, it is essential that the truth be told to a society whose memories and pains are so fresh. Even if the end of the road leads to peace, the approval of the Turkish nation must be obtained with reasonable justifications. I am an ordinary citizen with average intelligence. I am not one of those experts who appear on television channels and know everything. It is my right to expect an explanation in a way that I can grasp, without beating around the bush.

I think it is time for the Turkish nation, whose maturity we praise, to make a decision. In the events we experience, what we do not do has as much impact as what we do. We need to hold ourselves accountable.

Do we remember our soldiers who were made to run through the city center among the supporters of the organization and sent to their barracks during the first opening period? Our soldiers who were humiliated and harassed. Which society, which state could have stomped this scene? We stomped it. While our veteran officers, who were targeted by conspiracy cases, committed suicide for their honor, those who wrote disgusting things about them were able to continue walking around in public without shame until the day they died. Those who could tell soldiers' wives to pose for a calendar are still at the head of every table today. Believe me, it will be the same tomorrow.

February 27, 2025, actually happened long ago. Today, the same characters have taken the stage again because the conditions are suitable. Our team, which commemorates Sheikh Said in Diyarbakır and appears green and leftist in Istanbul but always says "biji serok Obama," is in front of us again.

As a result of the cries of "civilianization, end to tutelage, end to judicial dominance," as of 2025, we do not have a single institution that can even express an opinion on the existence of the nation. Whatever the elected ones say, that will be it. Even the slightest objection or opposing view will result in dismissal at the very least, and if insisted upon, it will result in Silivri. This nation, which has sacrificed countless children for decades to live together, will now only be able to protect its own rights.

As stated in the Amasya Circular 106 years ago, "The independence of the nation will be saved by the determination and resolve of the nation itself."