Ocalan Proposes New Plan

Proposing an “eight point” plan from his solitary confinement cell in the Imrali Island the Kurdish guerrilla leader Abdullah Ocalan urges the Turkish government start a dialogue with his KADEK (Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress).

“Peace might have been attained until 2005 if the government accepts the offer for ‘dialogue’,” Ocalan says in a letter from prison.

According to a report by daily Ozgur Gundem, Ocalan –in a ninth point- further warns that Kurdish guerrillas will stick to “the right of defending their existence”, if the government would refuse his proposal coexistence in democracy and peace.

The imprisoned leader in his letter observes that the process of unilateral “truce” is about to draw to a close. And offers the government form two bodies: A "Committee for Seeking the Truth, Dispensing Justice and Mutual Forgiveness" and another "Committee for A Democratic Solution for Social Peace”.

The first should work to find out “the right and wrong” in order to develop tolerance among both sides and to resolve the unresolved murderes”.

The task of the state

Stating that DEHAP (Pro-Kurdish Democratic People’s Party), non-governmental organisations and opposition groups can take place in "Committee for A Democratic Solution for Social Peace Ocalan says: "That committee could play the role of a mediator for developing the dialogue.”

Öcalan emphasizes that the his proposals are not valid only for Turkey, but also for Iran, , Syria and the Federal Kurdish State in the North of Iraq and adds that if they are faced with pressure, Kurds will resort to the “legitimate right of defense” against Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria and America.

The points

Ocalan’s 8 point proposal comprises of:

1. Recognition,on the basis of the admission of Kurdish identity, of political rights and lifting of barriers for freedom of thought and the right to organize.

2. The guarantee for the rights for the mother tongue and culture. These rights not to be restrained but expressed freely

3. Just indemnity. Whoever accepts the four principles of the democratic republic should participate in democratic life. They should have right to the political participation.

4. The promotion of incentives in the Southeast Development Project. Priority for investments in the area in order to reduce Kurdish unemployment and help their economies grow.

5. Those accountable for the unresolved murders and deaths under police custody, and violations of human rights should be identified and punished. The victims should be compensated for their material and non-material losses.

6. Dissolution of the village guards and guerrillas, the reduction of counter-insurgency organizations

7. The forced-emigrants should be secured to return to their evicted villages , providing administrative, legal and economic support.

8. Increased power to local governments and a broader democracy. (PT/EK)