Celalettin Can, Zübeyde Teker, Yılmaz Ebsroğlu, Avni Özgürel, Fatma Benli, Yücel Sayman and Muhsin Kızılkaya from Turkey's Wise People shared their insights with bianet after the second week of round-up meetings with local stakeholders, NGOs and residents.
Fatma Benli (Lawyer, Black Sea Region Delegation): "We have confronted some protests but everything was pretty much normal. We had productive meetings where we registered people's worries concerning the process."
Yılmaz Ensaroğlu (MAZLUMDER, Southeastern Region Delegation): "People are relieved with the fact that they don't receive any more coffins for the past three months. They are every optimistic about the process."
Zübeyde Teker (TUHAD-FED, Eastern Region Delegation): "Even though people expressed their trust issues toward the Turkish government, they said they would accept a safe withdrawal process as a sign of government's reliability."
Yücel Sayman (International Advocates Union, Marmara Region Delegation): "A lot of people reiterated their 'but's as pre-conditions even though they expressed their positive attitude towards a farewell to arms and the coming of peace.
Celalettin Can (78' Generation Association, Central Anatolia Region): "Those who suffered from a 30 year long war said they were for the peace. But many expressed concerns on what concessions the Turkish government made to PKK."
Muhsin Kızılkaya (Author, Mediterranean Region Delegation): "The popular support is increasing every passing day. This week people received the wise people more enthusiastically than last week."
Avni Özgürel (Journalist, Aegean Region Delegation): "What I saw in this region is much better than I anticipated. Except a few provocations, people were able to discuss the peace process in a respectful manner." (NV/EKN/BM)
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