Chairman of the Ataturkist Thought Association (ADD) Hüsnü Bozkurt answered Cumhuriyet's questions.
- The Framework Law was passed in the Parliament with 467 votes in favour, 87 against and 9 abstentions. Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, described this as "an unprecedented support". How do you think such a broad consensus was achieved?
Actually the question is: Consensus? Is it mandatory? First we need to go to the beginning of the process. Although it seems to have started with the MHP leader's call to the terrorist leader on October 22, 2024, there is the Greater Middle East Project (BOP) long before it. It is a project that the USA declared in 2002 and stated at the 2003 NATO Summit that they aimed to redesign the region from Morocco to the Chinese border and change the borders and regimes of 22 countries. A map of this has also been presented. Erdoğan, the prime minister of the period, repeatedly said that he was the co-chairman of the BOP. It is known that this region, where the aim is to separate Turkey's 23 provinces from our country and seize our valuable mines and mineral resources as well as the Tigris and Euphrates waters, is called "Free Kurdistan" on the map. In 2006, CIA Turkey Desk Chief Paul Henze said in his report to the US State Department, "It is not possible for Turkey to serve American interests with its current structure. However, the goal of federation can be achieved by switching to the Presidential system." The first solution process took place in 2013. There were trench clashes, we lost 793 martyrs. In the 2015 elections, AKP's votes dropped, it could not come to power on its own, and the table fell apart. There is no Dolmabahçe left, no agreement.
- During the first solution process, there was a condition that no investigation would be opened against public officials, as is the case today, but when the process was over, a trial was held...
Just like today, there was an article saying "No one will be prosecuted", but Sırrı Süreyya Önder was imprisoned for three years... After the process was interrupted in 2013, there was a coup attempt in 2016 and a constitutional amendment referendum was held in 2017. 2.5 million unsealed votes were considered valid and, as Henze said in 2006, Türkiye switched to the presidential system. The process became easier when the legislative, executive and judicial powers were effectively connected to a single authority. The commission was established. Despite all the warnings, CHP under the leadership of Mr. Özgür Özel entered the commission. This was a mistake.
'CHP SHOULD BE MANAGED WORTHY OF ITS MAGNITUDE'
- Why?
Because that commission would only be legitimized if CHP entered it. Because CHP is a party born great. When I say CHP, I do not mean today's null CHP, but Atatürk's CHP. There is no other party in the world that was born in the fields of blood and fire, held its first congress in Sivas under the shadow of the bayonets of the occupying imperialists, and established an independent unitary nation state, secular Republic, 50 days after its official establishment. For this reason, CHP is a great party regardless of the votes it receives, and it needs to be managed worthy of its greatness, not to be enlarged. When we return to your first question, it is obvious that there is not an agreement in this whole table, but an obligation. And unfortunately, the current political institution in Turkey has been subject to this obligation.
- If CHP had not participated in the commission, would the General Assembly stage have never been reached?
Without a doubt. It would end again, just like the first solution process. The first mistake was entering the commission. Then it came back.
Just as the blame for the removal of immunities was laid on Kılıçdaroğlu's CHP, which said "It is unconstitutional, but yes" and says that he does not regret it today, without seeing the real responsible parties, the price of this process may be blamed on Özel's New Party years later, without seeing the real responsible parties, Erdoğan's AKP and Bahçeli's MHP.
- The law is supported by the discourse of "equal citizenship, peace, democracy"...
The Republic of Türkiye was already established on the principle of equality of citizens. Atatürk addressed the people of Turkey, whom Vahdettin treated as sheep by saying "Pasha, there is a nation, a flock of sheep. That flock needs a shepherd. And that is me", without considering any ethnicity or belief, as "Gentlemen and O Nation". What he calls "Sirs" are gentlemen and ladies, and what he calls "O Nation" are the people of Türkiye who founded the republic. He begins his 10th Anniversary Speech with "My fellow citizens". Neither the address "O nation" nor the address "My fellow citizens" contains any discrimination based on ethnicity or belief. Therefore, citizens of the republic are already equal. Turk is a superidentity like the bunch of grapes or the peel of the pomegranate. Ataturk nationalism; It is not nationalism of race, lineage or blood, but of history, geography and culture. The demand for "Equal Citizenship", privileged citizenship, and definition of a "constituent element" based on ethnicity in the constitution, which is on the agenda today, is the demand for "Equal Citizenship".
- So what is your definition of the "Kurdish problem"?
DEM Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları said in a program she attended, "They say, 'They will lay down their weapons, the future will walk among us like normal people.' In other words, there is an understanding there that does not want to equate itself with the Kurds and sees itself as a superior identity. This is the Kurdish problem." The lady equates the traitors who joined the terrorist organization and rebelled against the state, who shot soldiers, police, teachers, doctors and the nation, with our citizens of Kurdish origin, and says that those who oppose the release of these terrorists do not see themselves as equal to Kurds, but look down on Kurds. Cover it so that I die...
See, the problem that is expressed as the "Kurdish problem" and can never be described: These are terrorist acts aimed at dividing Turkey and establishing a separate state, carried out by a group under the guidance of US imperialism, which cannot accept the fact that the Republic of Turkey is a unitary nation state and a secular, democratic and social state of law, and rejects the qualities of the state and its indivisible integrity with its country and nation, organized and armed by certain states. As a matter of fact, Tom Barrack says that at the end of this process, the Kurds in Iran, Syria, Iraq and Turkey will gain their freedom, unite and determine their own destiny, and adds, "It is a misfortune that the Kurds have not been able to become a state in this region for a hundred years, and this problem will also be solved."
- Drawing attention to the international system, you said, "It is not an agreement, but an obligation." Don't those who say "No" have an obligation?
The only party that says no institutionally is the İYİ Party. I congratulate them. But what difference would it make if "Yes" was 567 instead of 467? What is important there is the 35 "yes" votes from the New Party, even though it has no effect on the outcome. That's what makes it called consensus. When Mr. Özel said, "Aren't we going to join the commission we proposed?", the commission said, "Me and my fellow administrators will say yes," and the law was legitimized, and talking about a consensus gained meaning.
'YES, IT WAS DISAPPOINTED'
- Why was the New Party's attitude always discussed throughout the process, the commission and the General Assembly discussions?
The reason is this: In many public opinion surveys in Turkey, when asked the question "How do you define yourself?", the proportion of citizens who answer "I am a Kemalist", "I am a Republican" and "I am a Nationalist" is around 65-70 percent. These Ataturkist, Republican, secular, unitary nation-state pro-millions have been looking for a way out, a branch to hold on to for a very long time. Hundreds of thousands of people who left Butlan CHP pinned their hopes on the New Party and coded the New Party as the "Real CHP", "Atatürk's CHP". In the eyes of the Ataturkist, republican and nationalist masses, the real CHP became the New Party, and the "yes" vote used by the administration created disappointment in this mass. The nation saw that this would serve the purpose of dividing Turkey and realizing the BOP map, and that it had nothing to do with peace and democracy, and they waited and wanted the New Party to say "no".
- So what was the obligation of the New Party management to say "yes"?
It can be called the "learned helplessness" syndrome caused by not being in power for a long time. However, it should have been seen that this was overcome with the enthusiastic participation of the nation in the magnificent resistance process after March 19. There are two urban legends, two memorizations: "One, from the Mosque community, and two, if we don't get votes from the Kurds, we can't be in power." Neither of these are actually true. This; To consider all citizens who pray as having the same worldview is to see all Kurds as a homogeneous mass belonging to PKK and DEM Party. Ecevit did not get 36 percent in 1973 and 42 percent in 1977 by going from mosque to mosque and engaging in ethnicism. He took it even though he said, "There is no Kurdish problem, it is a PKK terrorism problem, ag maraba order, tribal order problem." He managed to reach the public with the right policies by saying "It is a humane and fair order that neither oppresses nor oppresses" and "Those who cultivate the land and use the water".
'NEW PARTY WILL SUCCESS IN REACHING THE NATION'
I should also say this; In line with Atatürk's words, "When you see something wrong or lacking in the party, be sure to criticize it. Criticizing has much less harm than not criticizing." While voicing these, I think we should not overdo the criticism, not personalize it, and not bring the party to the point of wear and tear. The New Party will, of course, continue on its path by evaluating what has happened, and will succeed in reaching the nation with policies such as strong democracy, separation of powers, rule of law based on the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, merit-based state administration, a fair economic order, socialist health and education policies, an honorable and realistic foreign policy, a state structure free from politics and sect tutelage, and justice in income distribution.
- It will be said that the PKK will lay down its arms, will they lay down their arms, let's say they did, will they give up their goals?
Erdoğan said that 50 thousand trucks of weapons were given to PKK, PYD and YPG from the USA. Can the gun be left without the giver saying "leave it"? These are candy apples handed out to deceive a five-year-old child. They will not lay down their weapons and will not give up their goals. Because they do not act of their own will. KCK and all its extensions are tools of imperialism.
- A majority was achieved in the Parliament, but the nation is reacting. What will this cost at the ballot box?
The owner of the law is, of course, the AKP-MHP alliance. But it is clear from their own statements that the persistent follower and supporter is the USA, and that the USA's aim is to destroy Lausanne and the unitary nation state and implement the BOP. Unfortunately this could not be seen. The nation is aware that this is an amnesty law for the PKK, and the overwhelming majority do not think like the 467 deputies in the Parliament. As Uğur Mumcu said; A left in Turkey that denies Kemalism and Nationalism and is not in favor of the secular republic and the nation state has not and cannot achieve success.
'IT WAS THE DAY TO BECOME ALI RIZA PASHA'
August 10, when the law was passed, was the anniversary of Sevres, which tore apart the Ottoman homeland, that is, Turkey, and left the nation captive and devastated. On July 22, 1920, Vahdettin convened the Sultanate Council with 43 members. At Vahdettin's signal, Groom Ferit stood up and said, "Those who accept the agreement should stand up." Everyone stood up except one person. That one person was Topkapılı Artillery Feriki Müşir Ali Rıza Pasha. When Groom Ferit approached and said, "Pasha, you are alone," Pasha replied, "It doesn't matter, I am with the Turkish nation." The day the amnesty law for the PKK was voted in the General Assembly was the day to be Ali Rıza Pasha and to say, "It doesn't matter. I am with the Turkish nation."
- Is it too late? Can nothing be done from now on?
It's never too late to do something in politics. The arrow is out of the bow, but the right attitude can be taken from now on. However, it is not possible to get results or have them accepted by the nation as long as we continue with the memorization of "equal citizenship, the Kurdish issue, education in the mother tongue". The Treaty of Sevres was also signed, but then Atatürk declared the signatories of the Treaty of Sevres, the 42 people who approved it, and Vahdettin as traitors. On August 10, 2026, the Parliament turned its back on the title of Gazi, and this law shook the bones of the heroic deputies of the First Parliament, who made the Parliament the "Gazi Parliament". This decision was not a decision for peace and democracy, but a decision to surrender to Western imperialism.
- It is said that this is the "first step"...
From Tom Barrack to the terrorist leader, from the government spokesmen to the DEM chairmen, from Qandil to Oslo, who said that it was the first step. But Barrack and the declared "founding leader" terrorist leader are the ones who most clearly state the goal to be achieved with this first step. They openly say that the goal is to transform our secular unitary nation state into a multi-national, multi-lingual, multi-legal, theocratically based federative state with the triple alliance of political Islamist counter-revolutionary forces and ethnic racist separatist forces under US patronage, and to divide our nation on the basis of ethnicity. Isn't that enough?
- With the process becoming law by exceeding 400 votes, the issue of a new constitution was immediately opened. What do you foresee when you consider this process together with the new constitutional discussions?
The law legitimizes the PKK, equates the state with a terrorist organization, makes Öcalan the leader of all Kurds, and DEM the political representative of all citizens of Kurdish origin. In this way, it portrays all citizens of Kurdish origin in Turkey as PKK-DEM supporters and at the same time guarantees a new constitution without a referendum and a majority in the Parliament for Erdoğan's re-election, for now, of course. It can be said that the law paved the way for the new constitution, Erdoğan's candidacy was finalized and early elections became possible, and it is understood that this will be the way forward.
- During the first solution process, AKP's votes decreased and the process ended. Do you see such a possibility again?
This law will be published in the official gazette. It will also be implemented. But the Turkish nation has not accepted this and will not accept it. I never give up hope on the Turkish nation. There is a great nation that fell behind Mustafa Kemal after Sevres, established a regular army and saved its homeland with First İnönü in January 1921, Second İnönü in April, Sakarya in August, and Dumlupınar in August 1922. This nation, which knew how to walk with Mustafa Kemal, will now be with him when he hears the right voice. If he doesn't hear the right voice, he will definitely produce a screaming child.
'THE ONE WHO DOES NOT PREVENT HIS STAFF IS COMMITTING A CRIME'
- Immediately after the framework law, an operation was carried out against the Süleymancıs. There are also comments that the reason for this is the sect's attitude towards the AKP. How do you read?
Türkiye is a state of law. Law No. 677 dated 30 November 1925 is in force. According to this law; All sects and similar structures, their titles and adjectives such as sheikh, dervish, disciple, dede, çelebi, caliph, hodjaefendi, seyit, and all their social, cultural, political and commercial activities are prohibited by law and are subject to judicial proceedings and criminal sanctions. While this is the case, the new "sheikh" of a sect whose "sheikh" has died can be announced in front of the state officials at the funeral ceremony, these banned structures can be presented as NGOs by the Minister of National Education, as well as in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, thus committing a constitutional crime, and some ruling party MPs can say that the sects will of course organize, become stronger, do business and have a say in the state.
In fact, they themselves state that the AKP, which continues its 24th year in power, is a coalition of sects. As a matter of fact, it is known how the Fethullah Gülen community, the branch of the Nurcular sect, which they said for 13 years, "Whatever they wanted, we did not give", became a member of the state, became a conglomerate, gained great financial power and became FETO and attempted a coup. It is obvious that even this vile attempt did not prevent the continuation of unity with other sects. Süleymancıs, a branch of the Naqshbandi sect, also
