FRANKFURT, Germany, — In an interview with Frankfurt centred Yeni Ozgur Politika paper, the Kurdish well-known politician and Amed’s deputy, Leyla Zana evaluated the current phase and underlined the national self-determination is a universal rights and Kurdish people should hold a referendum to display their will.
Underlining that nothing would have a meaning when done unilaterally, Zana said that; “The armed struggle has reached a certain point today. I wouldn’t discuss about laying down arms which are the assurance of Kurds as long as the Kurdish problem exists.”
In regard to the current intensive spate of political arrests, Zana pointed out to the necessity of negotiating with Mr. Ocalan so that all sides could definitely be included in the process of dialogue.
Zana also pointed out that this process should appeal to all Kurds, not only to Kurds who stand on the government’s side. ‘We underline that the problem needs to be discussed and settled’, added Zana.
Amed’s deputy also underlined that Kurdish people’s leader Ocalan should immediately be removed from isolation and provided with better and healthier conditions to ensure a wholesome negotiation process.
Zana continued commenting the so-called (Kurdish Communities Union) operations; “All these arrests are related with the 30 year-old war. The purpose of these arrests is to create an agenda with an aim to cover up the war, to efface injustices and to prevent Kurds from giving thought to the future and producing projects. They force us to deal with daily arrests to make us forget about the main issue, the Kurdish problem itself. We need to be aware towards this intention and shouldn’t focus our whole attention on these arrests alone.
Evaluating the calls made for unilateral ceasefire from PKK’s side, Zana remarked that laying down arms shouldn’t be brought to agenda before the state ensures status and a legal assurance for Kurds.
Zana pointed out that democratic protest acts should radically be generalized in this process and said that; “There is a mutual lack of confidence between Kurds and the state and some steps need to be taken to remedy the current situation. I am of the opinion that the most considerable step should be taken by the state which executes injustice on Kurds. However, I side with the silence of arms because we shouldn’t lose any more young people in this war. All of us will feel a deep sorrow for the dead when we ensure a dialogue process in the processes to come.”
Zana added that the Kurdish people should hold a referendum to display their will and to determine a governance model for themselves. “National self-determination is a universal right and all sides should respect to the demand and decision of the Kurdish people”, added Zana.