What politicians say about PKK leader Öcalan's message?

Following the meeting between the DEM Party and PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island, and the subsequent statement by him, politicians have been quick to share their evaluations.

Tuesday December 31 2024 02:34 am

Duvar English

After the Dec. 28 meeting between the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party and jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, politicians from a wide range of affiliations have shared their mixed reactions.

DEM Party

Following the meeting between, DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan shared their thoughts on social media.

Hatimoğulları stated, "Strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish alliance and initiating a democratic peace process has become a responsibility that cannot be postponed. As the DEM Party, we will fulfill all our responsibilities and amplify positive solution proposals. We are on the brink of a historic opportunity; together, we can illuminate the future."

Bakırhan added, "Mr. Abdullah Öcalan's solution and peace-oriented evaluations on İmralı point to a historic responsibility."

İmralı Island has become synonymous with Öcalan due to his long-term imprisonment there since 1999.

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Sırrı Süreyya Önder and DEM Party deputy Pervin Buldan have also shared a new briefing note regarding their meeting with Öcalan.

The note stated, "Due to the sensitivity of the process, we will not be able to inform the press until a certain maturity is reached. This decision does not mean hiding anything; rather, it is a requirement of respect for the negotiations we will conduct. However, if we need to say one sentence, we can say that we are much more hopeful than previous processes. As a delegation, we will make a comprehensive statement in the new year."

CHP

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel firstly stated that they would respond positively to the DEM Party's request for a meeting.

Özel stated, "From the beginning, we have advocated that the solution should be based in the Turkish Parliament. We support the transparent conduct of the process. One of our most important criteria is to consider the sensitivities of the families of martyrs and veterans."

AKP

On behalf of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Diyarbakır deputy Suna Kepolu Ataman made a statement.

Ataman said, "The developments have truly increased our hope and excitement," and added, "This should not be perceived as a new solution process. As our President and Mr. Bahçeli have stated, this is a situation that Kurds and Turks will resolve among themselves with the will of the Parliament. Therefore, it is a historic solution and a great opportunity. Everyone, both the government and the opposition, is responsible for this. We need to be very sensitive and careful.”

The AKP lawmaker stated that the situation should have been resolved solely within Turkey's borders and she expected that Öcalan would now call for disarmament.

MHP

The first reaction from the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) came from Deputy Chair Mevlüt Karakaya. He stated, "Our Chair's interaction with DEM Party members on the opening day of the Parliament and the subsequent calls made during group meetings accelerated this process. It became possible for the public to discuss it intensely.”

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's unexpected call during his party's group meeting on Oct. 22 led to the gradual lifting of the isolation policies and meeting bans imposed on Öcalan for years.

“Our Chairman, who played an important role in this process, will have an evaluation. They express that they are approaching this call positively," deputy chair stated.

İYİ

Nationalist opposition Good (İYİ) Party leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu stated that those who made the visit had a meeting with some state officials before and that a joint text was prepared to share with the public.

He said, "Everyone is speaking in secrecy. We do not know what is being asked of Öcalan. What does the Republic of Turkey expect from the terrorist leader? I cannot understand this."

Dervişoğlu added, "I will review the minutes of these meetings if possible and make the necessary evaluations. For the Republic of Turkey to seek help from the murderer on İmralı for the future of Turkey is something I find shameful."

Presidency

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz was the first government official to comment on the meeting, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been keeping a low profile on the issue.

He said, "The Republic of Turkey will continue its fight against terrorism decisively and uninterruptedly, and no one should doubt that. Of course, we wish that there would be no terrorist organization to fight against, and who wouldn't want that? We will follow the developments together in the upcoming period."

Öcalan's message

Following their meeting, DEM Party released a statement outlining Öcalan's thoughts and general approach in seven points. In the statement, Öcalan emphasized the Parliament as the solution platform and expressed his readiness to contribute positively to the "new paradigm" supported by the governing coalition.

He stated, "I have the competence and determination to make the necessary positive contribution to the new paradigm empowered by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan. The delegation will share this approach with both the state and political circles. In light of this, I am ready to take the necessary positive step and make the call."