Jailed PKK leader says ‘ready’ to support Turkey peace drive
By AFP
Fulya OZERKAN
Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), is “ready to make a call” to back a new initiative by the Turkish government to end decades of conflict, Turkey’s pro-Kurd party said Sunday.
Two lawmakers from the DEM party made a rare visit to Ocalan on Saturday on his prison island, the first by the party in almost a decade, amid signs of easing tensions between the Turkish government and the PKK.
On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government approved DEM’s request to visit the founder of the PKK, which is designated a terror group by Turkey and its Western allies.
Ocalan has been serving a life sentence on the island of Imrali south of Istanbul since 1999.
The government’s approval of the visit comes two months after the head of Turkey’s nationalist MHP party, Devlet Bahceli, extended Ocalan a shock olive branch, inviting him to parliament to renounce terror and disband his group, a move backed by Erdogan.
“I have the competence and determination to make a positive contribution to the new paradigm started by Mr Bahceli and Mr Erdogan,” Ocalan said, according to a DEM statement Sunday.
Ocalan said the visiting delegation would share his approach with both the state and political circles.
“In light of this, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and make the call.”
-‘Historical responsibility’-
The PKK has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, claiming tens of thousands of lives.
A peace process between the PKK and the government collapsed in 2015, unleashing violence especially in the Kurdish-majority southeast.
The new initiative launched in October by Bahceli, who has been fiercely hostile to the PKK, sparked a public debate, with Erdogan hailing it as a “historic window of opportunity”.
But a deadly terror attack in October on a Turkish defence company in the capital Ankara, for which PKK militants claimed responsibility, put those hopes on hold.
Turkey launched strikes on Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria after the attack, which killed five people.
“Re-strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood is not only a historical responsibility but also… an urgency for all peoples,” Ocalan said, according to the DEM statement.
He said all the efforts would “take the country to the level it deserves” and become a “very valuable guide for a democratic transformation”.
“It’s time for Turkey and the region for peace, democracy and brotherhood”.
The new outreach by both sides comes as Islamist rebels consolidate their control in neighbouring Syria after toppling its strongman president Bashar al-Assad.
Turkey hopes Syria’s new leaders will address the issue of Kurdish forces in the country, which Ankara sees as a terror group affiliated to the PKK.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his US counterpart Antony Blinken in a phone call on Saturday that Kurdish fighters “cannot be allowed to take shelter in Syria”, according to the ministry spokesman.
According to the DEM statement, Ocalan said developments in Syria had shown that outside interference would only complicate the problem, and a solution could no longer be postponed.
By AFP
December 29, 2024
Supporters of Abdullah Ocalan rallied in Cologne, Germany, in February 2024 to mark the 25th anniversary of his arrest - Copyright AFP Nicolas LANDA TAMI
Supporters of Abdullah Ocalan rallied in Cologne, Germany, in February 2024 to mark the 25th anniversary of his arrest - Copyright AFP Nicolas LANDA TAMI
Fulya OZERKAN
Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), is “ready to make a call” to back a new initiative by the Turkish government to end decades of conflict, Turkey’s pro-Kurd party said Sunday.
Two lawmakers from the DEM party made a rare visit to Ocalan on Saturday on his prison island, the first by the party in almost a decade, amid signs of easing tensions between the Turkish government and the PKK.
On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government approved DEM’s request to visit the founder of the PKK, which is designated a terror group by Turkey and its Western allies.
Ocalan has been serving a life sentence on the island of Imrali south of Istanbul since 1999.
The government’s approval of the visit comes two months after the head of Turkey’s nationalist MHP party, Devlet Bahceli, extended Ocalan a shock olive branch, inviting him to parliament to renounce terror and disband his group, a move backed by Erdogan.
“I have the competence and determination to make a positive contribution to the new paradigm started by Mr Bahceli and Mr Erdogan,” Ocalan said, according to a DEM statement Sunday.
Ocalan said the visiting delegation would share his approach with both the state and political circles.
“In light of this, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and make the call.”
-‘Historical responsibility’-
The PKK has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, claiming tens of thousands of lives.
A peace process between the PKK and the government collapsed in 2015, unleashing violence especially in the Kurdish-majority southeast.
The new initiative launched in October by Bahceli, who has been fiercely hostile to the PKK, sparked a public debate, with Erdogan hailing it as a “historic window of opportunity”.
But a deadly terror attack in October on a Turkish defence company in the capital Ankara, for which PKK militants claimed responsibility, put those hopes on hold.
Turkey launched strikes on Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria after the attack, which killed five people.
“Re-strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood is not only a historical responsibility but also… an urgency for all peoples,” Ocalan said, according to the DEM statement.
He said all the efforts would “take the country to the level it deserves” and become a “very valuable guide for a democratic transformation”.
“It’s time for Turkey and the region for peace, democracy and brotherhood”.
The new outreach by both sides comes as Islamist rebels consolidate their control in neighbouring Syria after toppling its strongman president Bashar al-Assad.
Turkey hopes Syria’s new leaders will address the issue of Kurdish forces in the country, which Ankara sees as a terror group affiliated to the PKK.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his US counterpart Antony Blinken in a phone call on Saturday that Kurdish fighters “cannot be allowed to take shelter in Syria”, according to the ministry spokesman.
According to the DEM statement, Ocalan said developments in Syria had shown that outside interference would only complicate the problem, and a solution could no longer be postponed.
Abdullah Öcalan: Positive contributions are essential for the process to succeed
DEM Party MPs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder issued a written statement after their meeting with Abdullah Öcalan in Imrali.
ANF
NEWS DESK
Sunday, 29 December 2024
DEM Party MPs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder met with Abdullah Öcalan in Imrali on Saturday. They issued the following statement about the meeting:
"On 28 December 2024, we held a comprehensive meeting with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı. His health is good, and his morale is high. His assessments aimed at finding a permanent solution to the Kurdish issue were of profound importance.
During the meeting, which included an assessment of recent developments in the Middle East and Turkey, Mr. Öcalan presented positive solution proposals to counter the dark future scenarios being imposed.
The general framework of his thoughts and approach can be summarized as follows:
- Strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood once again is not only a historic responsibility but also a matter of critical urgency and significance for all peoples.
- For the process to succeed, it is essential that all political groups in Turkey take initiative without getting caught up in narrow, short-term interests, act constructively, and contribute positively. One of the key platforms for these contributions will undoubtedly be the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).
- The events in Gaza and Syria have shown that the resolution of this issue, which external interventions attempt to turn into a chronic problem, can no longer be delayed. The contributions and proposals of the opposition are also crucial for achieving a solution proportional to the seriousness of this issue.
- I possess the necessary competence and determination to provide the required positive contribution to the new paradigm supported by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan.
- The delegation will share my perspective with both the state and political circles. In this context, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and issue a call.
- All these efforts will elevate the country to the level it deserves and will also serve as a valuable guide for democratic transformation.
- This is a time for peace, democracy, and brotherhood for Turkey and the region."
DEM Party and DBP: Öcalan’s call can change the fate of Turkey and the region
Commenting on the meeting with Abdullah Öcalan, DEM Party and DBP highlighted the importance of the solution perspective offered by the Kurdish leader, calling for bold steps to be taken together.
ANF
NEWS DESK
Sunday, 29 December 2024, 13:15
Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) deputies Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder met with Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Island Prison on 28 December.
The Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Central Executive Committee (MYK) made a written statement on the meeting in İmralı and said: “We are going through a historic process in terms of a solution to the Kurdish question. At such a time, the solution perspective offered by Mr Abdullah Öcalan is of historic importance. As he has stated, there is a need for a democratic transformation, and this is inevitable.
The path to democratic transformation lies in a solution to the Kurdish question through democratic and peaceful methods. The solution to this issue is possible with the contribution and participation of not only politics but also all social dynamics. In this context, it is necessary to embrace the will for a solution presented by Mr Abdullah Öcalan and every step that will strengthen this will and bring about a solution. This century has the potential to be the century of freedom and democracy for the peoples of Turkey, Kurdistan and the Middle East. For a democratic and free future, it should be the primary duty of all of us to embrace these opportunities and the will for a solution in the strongest way.”
DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan shared messages on the social media.
Tülay Hatimoğulları's message said: ‘Abdullah Öcalan's assessments in İmralı are a historic call that can change the fate of Turkey and the region. Strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish alliance and initiating a democratic peace process has become a responsibility that cannot be postponed. In this critical period, all political circles need to take constructive and courageous steps for a solution. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) is the most important ground for this process. The road to peace, democracy and brotherhood passes through bold steps to be taken together. At this point, no one should doubt that we, as the DEM Party, will fulfil any responsibility that falls on us and that we will improve the positive solution proposals. We are on the threshold of a historic opportunity. We can enlighten the future together.”
Tuncer Bakırhan stated the following: “The solution and peace-oriented evaluations of Mr Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı point to a historic responsibility: to bring Turkish-Kurdish relations to a democratic ground and to establish honourable peace in Turkey. This call is not only a proposal for a solution, but also a historic opportunity for the construction of a common future. It is clear that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), and especially all political circles, have a great responsibility in this process. Developments in Gaza and Syria reveal the need for a solution that cannot be postponed. Let us all respond together to the call for peace, democracy and brotherhood. We are on the eve of a democratic transformation opportunity for Turkey and the region. Now is the time for courage and insight for an honourable peace.”
Commenting on the meeting with Abdullah Öcalan, DEM Party and DBP highlighted the importance of the solution perspective offered by the Kurdish leader, calling for bold steps to be taken together.
ANF
NEWS DESK
Sunday, 29 December 2024, 13:15
Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) deputies Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder met with Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Island Prison on 28 December.
The Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Central Executive Committee (MYK) made a written statement on the meeting in İmralı and said: “We are going through a historic process in terms of a solution to the Kurdish question. At such a time, the solution perspective offered by Mr Abdullah Öcalan is of historic importance. As he has stated, there is a need for a democratic transformation, and this is inevitable.
The path to democratic transformation lies in a solution to the Kurdish question through democratic and peaceful methods. The solution to this issue is possible with the contribution and participation of not only politics but also all social dynamics. In this context, it is necessary to embrace the will for a solution presented by Mr Abdullah Öcalan and every step that will strengthen this will and bring about a solution. This century has the potential to be the century of freedom and democracy for the peoples of Turkey, Kurdistan and the Middle East. For a democratic and free future, it should be the primary duty of all of us to embrace these opportunities and the will for a solution in the strongest way.”
DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan shared messages on the social media.
Tülay Hatimoğulları's message said: ‘Abdullah Öcalan's assessments in İmralı are a historic call that can change the fate of Turkey and the region. Strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish alliance and initiating a democratic peace process has become a responsibility that cannot be postponed. In this critical period, all political circles need to take constructive and courageous steps for a solution. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) is the most important ground for this process. The road to peace, democracy and brotherhood passes through bold steps to be taken together. At this point, no one should doubt that we, as the DEM Party, will fulfil any responsibility that falls on us and that we will improve the positive solution proposals. We are on the threshold of a historic opportunity. We can enlighten the future together.”
Tuncer Bakırhan stated the following: “The solution and peace-oriented evaluations of Mr Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı point to a historic responsibility: to bring Turkish-Kurdish relations to a democratic ground and to establish honourable peace in Turkey. This call is not only a proposal for a solution, but also a historic opportunity for the construction of a common future. It is clear that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), and especially all political circles, have a great responsibility in this process. Developments in Gaza and Syria reveal the need for a solution that cannot be postponed. Let us all respond together to the call for peace, democracy and brotherhood. We are on the eve of a democratic transformation opportunity for Turkey and the region. Now is the time for courage and insight for an honourable peace.”
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