dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy

As another year draws to a close, assessments, explanations, and proposals regarding dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy for resolving problems are increasing, especially concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and particularly the Kurdish issue. These concepts have become the main focus after the difficult phases of the conflict.

Efforts for dialogue and negotiation have emerged in Washington and Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) regarding Palestine, in the United States and Europe regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and in Turkey, Kurdistan, and the Middle East regarding the Kurdish issue.

The process initiated by leader Abdullah Ocalan with his call for peace and a democratic society on February 27th remains a key item on the agenda, and the dialogue process has entered its second phase.

In this context, we wanted to shed light on the concepts of dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy, which falls within the same framework. How have these concepts been defined? What are some examples of this in history?

Socialization and Language

The need for relationships, communication, and cooperation arose with the emergence of human society. Humans considered socialization a natural characteristic to meet their basic needs, such as food, reproduction, stability, and protection.

Research indicates that socialization dates back over 300,000 years. As humans gathered together, language and thought developed simultaneously. Historians and scholars describe the development of language as a significant revolution. Scholars interested in this topic evaluate the development of socialization, thought, and language together. The development of symbolic language, in particular, led to the development of analytical thought. For this reason, the language revolution is defined as the first human revolution in history.

Dialogue, Negotiation, and Diplomacy

The history of dialogue begins with socialization, as a conversation between two people is called dialogue. However, as a concept, the term originated in ancient Greece. According to etymology, the word dialogue is composed of the words "diaá" and "logos," and was used to mean "discussion" or "intellectual exchange."

Today, the word "diyalogue" is used in French to mean "dialogue (communication)," and the term is used with the same meaning in most other languages. According to etymology, the term dialectic is derived from "diyalogue." Dialogue was first used as a philosophical method by Socrates. The word dialectic also means "duality," and in philosophical terms, it is the discussion of two different ideas and the results of these discussions. In Kurdish, the word dialectic also means duality. Historical Development

Dialogue has undergone various stages since the dawn of history, among the earliest tribes, clans, societies, and states. After numerous experiences of wars and conflicts within these social structures or states, dialogue emerged as an effective mechanism.

This mechanism began in the era of the earliest tribes and was based on mediation, negotiation, and alliances. Mediators were often elders, experienced individuals, religious figures, or those of high standing. The mediators' goal was to reach an agreement through negotiation.

In the Neolithic period, authority began to emerge. With the development of civilization and the state, dialogue and negotiation became conducted through diplomacy. According to etymology, diplomacy is an ancient Greek term meaning "folded paper." This paper was used at that time instead of the modern passport. It was also used to refer to documents prepared between states. What strengthens diplomacy is power.

The word “negotiation” is of Arabic origin and means “communication and exchange of ideas,” but today it is used more in the sense of bargaining. In successful negotiations and dialogues, all parties enjoy equal rights. At the table of constructive dialogue and fruitful negotiations, no party dominates the other, and agreements of this type are usually successful and lasting.

The First Border Agreement: Lagash-Umma

The first written border agreement in history was concluded in 2450 BC in Mesopotamia between two Sumerian cities, Lagash and Umma. These cities are located in present-day Iraq, between Basra and Baghdad. The agreement, which resolved the border dispute, was inscribed on a stone in cuneiform script (Sumerian). The text states that the mediator who determined the border and acted as judge was the king of Kish, Mesilim. This agreement is considered the oldest known border agreement.

The First Peace Treaty: Kadesh

The first written peace treaty was signed between Egypt and the Hittites in 1259 BC. This treaty was written in two copies, both of which have been discovered. Following this treaty, peace prevailed in the region for approximately one hundred years. A copy of this text is now displayed on the wall of the United Nations building in New York City, USA.

The Treaty of Westphalia

One of the most important treaties is the Treaty of Westphalia, or the Peace of Westphalia, signed in Westphalia, Germany in 1648. This treaty ended the Thirty Years' War between Catholics and Protestants across Europe, and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Netherlands. The treaty impacted the entire European continent and is therefore considered a significant treaty in history.

The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles is another important treaty that contributed to ending World War I. It was signed in France on June 28, 1919, between Germany and 32 other countries. Because it was based on Germany's defeat, it was a unilateral treaty, and some believe it paved the way for World War II. The Paris Climate Agreement

With the development of industry and the worsening problem of overwork, the ecological balance was disrupted, and global warming became a major issue threatening the future of the world in the near term. Therefore, environmental, anarchist, and socialist organizations launched broad struggles against industrialization and contributed to spreading environmental awareness among people. As a result of this struggle, the efforts of many countries were combined, and dialogues and negotiations began on this issue. In 2015, within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in the French capital, Paris, with the participation of 197 countries. This agreement was described as the largest in history and aims to adopt sound environmental policies. However, many problems remain, and discussions on this issue are ongoing.

Dialogues and Negotiations Between the Kurds and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)

As an indigenous people of this geographical region, the cradle of humanity, the Kurds are no strangers to dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy. However, due to their lack of unified power, dialogue and negotiation have largely been one-sided. From the time of the Hurrians and the Median Empire until World War I, some notable, albeit limited, attempts at dialogue emerged. The absence of internal unity, however, prevented the continuation of these successes. The collapse of the Median, Mitanni, Urartian, and other empires is attributed to this very reason. Nevertheless, dialogues continued between the various tribes and groups.

During the Ottoman Empire, dialogues took place between Ottoman sultans and Kurdish tribal leaders. The dialogue between Sultan Selim I and the Kurdish tribal leader, Idris al-Bitlisi, is a prominent example of this.

After World War I, Kurdistan was divided into four parts. Kurdish organizations and institutions engaged in dialogues according to the policies of the occupying powers. The Republic of Kurdistan (Mahabad) in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat), Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Southern Kurdistan (Bashur), as well as the KDP and its offshoots, conducted various negotiations. However, most of these negotiations were one-sided due to the limited Kurdish influence, leading to their failure.

In Northern Kurdistan, before the establishment of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk sent letters to many Kurdish clans inviting them to join the state and promising them autonomy. However, with the establishment of the republic, pressure on the Kurds increased, and uprisings began, reaching 28 Kurdish uprisings by the time the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was founded. Despite sporadic dialogues during this period, these dialogues did not turn into negotiations, as deception and genocide were the main policies of the state.

In the 1970s, with the founding of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), fundamental changes occurred in Kurdish history. Because the doors to dialogue and negotiation were completely closed, the party sought recognition of the Kurdish existence through armed struggle. In this context, efforts toward dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy were also undertaken in parallel with the armed struggle. The political efforts led by Abdullah Öcalan and the PKK compelled the Turkish state to engage in meetings.

In 1991, the then Turkish Prime Minister, Süleyman Demirel, declared, "We accept the Kurdish reality," but this statement remained just that a statement. In the same year, then-Turkish President Turgut Özal held talks with leader Abdullah Ocalan through intermediaries. As a result of these talks, Ocalan declared a ceasefire for the first time in 1993. However, these attempts were later thwarted by shadowy forces. Subsequently, secret dialogues with the Turkish government continued through intermediaries, and a ceasefire was declared between 1995 and 1998. However, the strength of the opposing forces increased, the dialogue efforts failed, and an international conspiracy was hatched against Abdullah Ocalan.

The struggle against this conspiracy paved the way for new dialogues and negotiations. Between 2006 and 2011, talks were held between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish authorities in Oslo, Norway, mediated by some international powers. Following these attempts, the state was compelled to engage in direct talks with leader Abdullah Ocalan. Further dialogues took place between 2013 and 2015, but these were obstructed by opposing factions. After a grueling ten-year process, the state was forced to resume the dialogue once again.

As a result of these meetings, Abdullah Ocalan launched a new peace process with his "Peace and Democratic Society" appeal on February 27th. This marked the first time in the history of the Turkish Republic that the Turkish state engaged in talks with a Kurdish leader for a solution, following 28 uprisings. In other words, the uprisings, which had previously ended in executions, were brought to the negotiating table for the first time with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), where they continue through dialogue and negotiations.

ANHA