Stakeholder Reactions to Öcalan’s 10 Measures to Resolution
Following a meeting in PM’s Office in Istanbul on Saturday where the delegation to the resolution of Kurdish issue along with Turkish ministers made a statement informing that PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called for a PKK congress in spring to decide on quitting arms, several stakeholders of the process reacted with statements. Here is a compilation by bianet English.
Davutoğlu: Language of arms will end
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu spoke in his party’s youth organization congress in Ankara on Saturday.
“From now on, the language of arms will end,” he said. “It will lead to the opening of democratic attitudes. Young people will not have war in mountains, they will walk side by side.”
Demirtaş: The process must continue in a synchronization
During his party visit to the southern province of Antalya on Saturday, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş said that the parties mutually made a commitment by making a joint statement.
“We have passed into a critical level for the liberalization and peace in Turkey. However,” he continued, “the Turkish government must take concrete steps on the democratization principles which were promised to the society of Turkey. PKK also must make the necessary preparations according to Mr. Öcalan’s promises. The process must continue in a synchronization.
Erdoğan: There is a gap between Öcalan and Demirtaş
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responded press inquiries prior to his trip to Saudi Arabia on Saturday. According to Hürriyet newspaper, Erdoğan said the following:
“İmralı [PKK leader is jailed there] has done its part. He declared 10 articles, Demirtaş has a statement as well. But they contradict each other.
“When we look at the statements of those [from the Kurdish delegation] who go to Imralı Island and visit PKK leader Öcalan, PKK leader is calling for a ceasefire. However, the attitude of the person in charge of the party [Selahattin Demirtaş] seems to say that they will see what they government will do. What government attitude are you looking at? The government is already warrant of the resolution process.
“It seems like there is a gap between Imrali [Abdullah Öcalan] and Qandil [Peoples’ Democratic Party Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş] and it looks like there is division between the party officials.
“We hope that we can’t continue this way. Our hope is that the upcoming elections will not include any guns and there will be solidarity [in the country].
KCK: The government must fulfill its duties responsibly
KCK, the military wing of PKK, also released a statement on Sunday concerning Öcalan’s appeal, saying that “another political resolution opportunity was present.
“However,” KCK said, “the Turkish government must fulfill its duties responsibly”. KCK also pledged that they will fulfill the responsibilities on their part.
Buldan: It is the new roadmap
Lastly, HDP Group Interim President Pervin Buldan mentioned of Öcalan’s statement on Sunday as the new road map to the resolution process.
“If there is an agreement on the 10 measures, PKK will gather its congress. Then we can talk about a new Turkey,” she said. (BM)
* This article has been compiled from several articles in bianet.
