We compiled PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s Newroz message’s reactions by HDP deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Diyarbakır Bar Association Chairman Tahir Elçi, Nebahat Akkoç from KAMER, Necdet İpekyüz from DİSA and TİHV, journalist Oya Baydar and HDP deputy pre-candidate Şeyhmus Diken.

Kürkçü: Not the kind of appeal as the government expected

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü: “In terms of leaving the armed struggle to a political one, this year’s message is no different than the one in 2013.

“However, Öcalan now put a tangible duty in front of PKK. He appeals for a congress to decide on the laying down of arms and adds his willingness for that congress to happen. 

“At the end of the day, this is a different than what the government was expecting. The government was thinking that PKK would leave arms this spring. However, today’s appeal is much more complex and political. And it is also far away from what the government was expecting to hear.

“Öcalan also wants the government to take action on the 10 Articles that he previously put forward [in the Dolmabahçe Summit]. He doesn’t want them to be processed promptly but worked on.

“Öcalan puts duties on the government as well but the government seems to have no idea about this aspect of the message.” 

Diken: Öcalan gave a clear message with Eşme spirit

HDP pre-candidate and journalist Şeyhmus Diken: “Eşme is where the tomb of Süleyman Shah is relocated by the help of YPG under its controlled territories.

“When Öcalan talked about the sprit of Eşme, he meant that the two parties can join forces together when necessary against ISIS.

“Generally speaking, Öcalan had an optimistic tone in his letter. He underlines the end of a 90 year long war period and the transition to a peace era. The congress appeal is important in terms of crowning this process.

Baydar: “Now it is the government’s turn” message

Journalists and writer Oya Baydar: “For me, Öcalan’s long-waited and whole-heartedly peace-seeking 2015 Newroz message is low in excitement and emotion as well as lacking color and closed compared to the one in 2013. 

“The important part of the message was its non-closure to hope and resolution despite everything and to the fact that neither the world nor the region nor Turkey will return to an armed struggle in the new era. 

 “This year’s message was important in the sense that it was now the government’s turn to make a step forward in the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish problem. I think it was the unrevealed message in the letter.” 

Elçi: A letter to call the youth to democratic struggle rather than arms 

Diyarbakır Bar Association Chairman Tahir Elçi: “It was kind of message I would expect to see from Öcalan. He talked about the essentials of Dolmabahçe Agreement’s 10 Article. 

“There is the perspective of a new era. Rather than calling them to arms, the message is calling the youth to social, economical and cultural activities such as the democratic struggle. We are moving to a solution without arms. This is a very positive step. I see it as a bigger step toward peace.

Akkoç: It has recommendations towards non-violence

KAMER Foundation Founder Nebahat Akkoç: “I find both of Öcalan’s letters [Dolmabahçe Agreement letter and Newroz letter] important. Today’s letter gives important messages towards the laying down of arms as well as opening space to democratic struggle. 

“This means that the laying down of arms will enable us to join forces for the democratization of Turkey."

İpekyüz: There will be expectations for new constitution, truth commission

Diyarbakır Political and Social Research Institute (DİSA) co-founder, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey  (TİHV) Coping With Societal Trauma Program Coordinator Dr. Necdet İpekyüz: 

"Öcalan sent this message not only to Kurds or PKK but also to all the peoples of Turkey including the western part of the country. He also mentioned about the significance of the matter for the peoples’ of Turkey.

"Öcalan also talked about truth and justice commission ideas - two bodies that have mentioned but not talked a lot previously. It appears that there will be an expectations after June 7 Election both on a new constitution process as well as the truth commission.” (NV/ÇT/EKN/BM)

* This article is a compilation from bianet Turkish.