There is no doubt that the most hotly debated issue in recent days has been the verbal exchange between Doğuş Derya and Zorlu Töre and its repercussions beyond the chamber.
At this point, I should say that I care less about who expressed or implied what than about the fact that things that could not be discussed are now being discussed.
In my view, the fact that things discussed behind closed doors until yesterday are now being discussed in parliament is a sign of significant progress.
While this aspect of the matter is important, unfortunately, people on both sides have resorted to insulting those whose views they disagree with.
Yet, to dispel the question marks, what was needed was not insults, but reasonable and level-headed answers to those questions.
This tension could have been turned into an opportunity in this way.
But sacrificing such an opportunity to a race/debate over “hurling insults” will bring us nothing but a waste of time.
And, in fact, ignoring this problem/viewpoint will not make it go away, just as it has not until now.
Let’s be honest…
We all know perfectly well that what we say among ourselves in this country differs from what we say when others are among us.
We have our own divisions and beliefs in this country.
In this country, while some people think, “We saved you,” or “We wouldn’t have survived without them. They saved us!”, others think the exact opposite.
In this country, while some people think, “Aren’t we all Turkish?” and “That’s how these Cypriots are,” others think, “The blackbeards/people from Turkey came, and this is what happened.”
In this regard, we still have many problems and divisions that we have not resolved, have not confronted, and cannot—or do not—talk about.
We can discuss these divisions only when those of us who share the same views come together.
In my view, the right thing to do is to discuss all these problems between us openly and sincerely, within a framework of respect.
With the approach of not talking/not debating that has been followed until now, we have got nowhere, and none of our problems or views have changed.
When we are able to talk about these issues freely, we will be able to set out on the path to becoming a fully integrated society that has overcome its problems.
I hope that one day we can achieve this…