Im
rali Island Prison- Turkey: Kurdish National Leader Mr. Abdullah Ocalan withdrew from the political process in 31st May since all the attempts for peace were exhausted and he didn’t find in interlocutor. In this weekly meeting with his lawyers he further elaborated.
“Neither the beginning of the war nor its continuation was our preference”. Kurdish National Leader Abdullah Ocalan wrote in an article that will be published tomorrow in the daily Italian paper ‘Il manifesto’.
Imprisoned in Imrali since 1999, Abdullah Ocalan has withdrawn from the process he himself (along with the Kurdish movement) had initiated in order to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the Kurdish question. Ocalan wrote a ‘road map’ which has been confiscated by the Turkish authorities. Yet the Kurdish National Leader has insisted in the recent months about the need of an interlocutor within the Turkish establishment. This interlocutor has not been found, and this is why Ocalan has announced his withdrawal from the process.
In the articles which will be published tomorrow in ‘Il manifesto’ the Kurdish National Leader underlines that “Neither the beginning of the war nor its continuation were our preference. Our ceasefires speak for themselves. Despite the fact we have directed our calls for peace to numerous governments of various political tendencies, the state’s answer has always been to merely attempt to exterminate us or force us into surrender. Even during my more than eleven years of imprisonment there is nothing I haven’t to establish lasting peace. Strategic peace and democratic politics have become a national vision for the Kurds. Our peace endeavours remained unanswered”.
Ocalan said, “For me to make contribution to this process the (Turkish) Parliament need to make a decision, they need to give me some lee-way.” Speaking after his crucial announcement to withdraw from the process as he could not find any interlocutor, Ocalan recalled that the Turkish Parliament “took a joint-decision regarding the Koçgiri Uprising (1921). They chose to negotiate and compromise. The same could be done now as well. If a single article is put in the constitution that says, ‘the constitution will protect the rights and culture of the Kurds then we will have reached a solution.’’
Underlining that “we are witnessing a critical phase” Ocalan said that he cannot say “how it will end”. The Kurdish National Leader noted that “nothing has developed for the last 12 years”. And in a poignant and sharp analysis he added: “I cannot deceive myself and say that there is peace in Turkey. I cannot deceive myself and act like there is democracy. I will not deceive myself or let myself be used. There is no reason nor is any importance to them meeting with me if there not going to be a resolution”.
Ocalan warned that “the ‘Special War’ lobby may intervene in an aggressive manner from this current period beginning June 1st. They will show no mercy and attack. In the past they attacked the Armenians, now they may want to carry out physical genocide against the Kurds”.
This is why according to the Kurdish National Leader, the Turkish Parliament “must intervene and strengthen the groups and parties that want a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue. Parliament must make decision regarding a solution. A Truth Investigation Commission could be formed like in South Africa. Parliament could do this, or a special commission could be formed in the name of the Parliament”.
As for his contribution in the process, Ocalan said that if “the Parliament makes a decision, and give me some lee-way, and then I will confer with my people, with political circles, and get into contact with the organisation (PKK, Kurdistan Worker Party) and convince them to participate in the process. I know I have the strength to achieve this. The Truth and Justice Commission has been tried before and was successful. It has been implemented in South Africa and Latin America”.
Ocalan ended his reflection by saying that he has been insisting on peace for over 15 years, since the 1990s. “However, he said, my current situation is an obstacle, and is preventing me from playing an active role. My withdrawal from the process from May 31st is not a desertion from the issue. On the contrary, it is because I cannot do anymore within the confines of my current situation. I cannot undertake any practical responsibility here. If my position and situation here is an obstacle, then my withdrawal will have done away with this problem.’’