An Open Letter to Recep Tayyip Erdogan – Prime Minister of Turkey

Given the latest event in Istanbul, I thought I’d contribute just a little something in support of the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Dear Mr. Erdogan.  Since you were such an advocate for Israel’s struggle against extreme Muslim fundamentalist terrorism, I feel obligated to give you an advice now that you are dealing with some terrorism in your own country.  Don’t worry, I’m not going to get into the intricacies of whether the Kurds are to be considered terrorists, freedom fighters, separatists, nationalists, or just Turkish “concerned citizens” who happen to think that bombing busses is a reasonable way to deal with an oppressive government.  These are subtleties that I am confident you can figure out on your own.

I suspect that the PKK are slightly upset because you, your government, your border police, your city police forces are doing almost everything they can to deprive them of the lifeline they need: explosives.  Face it.  They need explosives to make a point, and instead of allowing them free access to standard explosives, you search cargo ships and airplanes, enforce your land border control, raid homes and businesses of suspected activists, and hold them in house arrests without trail or indictment for extended periods of time.  It’s clearly unfair to deny the PKK what it so desperately needs.

I suggest you do the following.  Unilaterally announce that the PKK is a valid partner for discussions and negotiations.  Make them feel wanted.  Make them feel as is they are part of the Turkish people.  Allow them access to standard explosives, weapons, missiles, even helicopters and airplanes.  You know what, go all the way and let them explore some nuclear technology.  For peace purposes of course.  I am confident that these steps will bring you guys closer.  After all, how do you expect the PKK to be your friend, when you keep denying them humanitarian aid in the form of weapons.

I am sure that you won’t regret these trust building steps, which will surely lead to negotiations at the end of which a peace treaty will be signed and executed.

By the way, I can’t help but wonder.  How will you react if the PKK would have put together a Humanitarian Aid Flotilla, supported say by Israel, with loads of flour, oil, medicine, and just a few basic freedom fighters little helpers.  Any chance you would let the boats dock in the beautiful Istanbul seaport?  Help unload the cargo and truck it to the PKK training bases?  By the way, I am confident the United Nation organization would love to help you with the logistics.

Mr. Erdogan.  This is your chance to be accepted to the family of nations.  You might be dead, but who cares?  For as long as you’re a member of the nice family of world nations who deplore terrorism, but love terrorists…