Speaking in a special broadcast on Medya Haber TV, Duran Kalkan, a member of the PKK Executive Committee, provided insights on current issues. We publish the first excerpts of this broadcast.

Highlighting the significance of the global campaign for Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom, Kalkan said: "We must broaden and intensify the global freedom campaign aimed at securing Leader Apo’s [Abdullah Öcalan] physical freedom in every area. We must engage in stronger resistance."

Kalkan stressed that without Leader Apo’s freedom, no tangible progress can be expected, adding: "We need to fight harder. More effective methods of resistance are essential. We must struggle daily, seizing every opportunity and resource. There is resistance across all parts of Kurdistan and around the world. This struggle must grow."

In particular, he said, "a mobilization has been launched abroad, starting in Europe on 1 November. Actions are scheduled every day. On 10 November, there will be an action in Britain, followed by a rally in Cologne on 16 November. Those organizing this mobilization have issued calls. Every Kurd, every patriot, women, men, youth, the elderly, democratic-minded individuals everywhere should join this struggle. We must work to ensure everyone participates."

Kalkan continued his comments with a tribute: "First, I extend my respects to Leader Apo. He was able to meet with his nephew on 23 October, marking the first meeting after 43 long months."

Kalkan then added: "There is indeed a partial change, albeit not a huge one, but it is a change nonetheless. We received information about Leader Apo’s health and his greetings. This alone was enough to shift the atmosphere. Hearing Leader Apo’s voice, receiving his greetings, and knowing about his well-being affected the entire environment positively. All democratic forces, women, youth, our people, and our allies are now filled with enthusiasm and excitement. The morale is very high.

This situation has had a strong impact on the political landscape as well, clearly showing Leader Apo’s level of influence. Despite all claims to the contrary by his opponents, it demonstrates how deeply Leader Apo influences society, democratic groups, women, youth, laborers, workers, and people of various backgrounds, as well as politics. This is an important point to underscore.

On the other hand, this development is a result of an ongoing struggle. It should be viewed as an outcome of the 26-year resistance against the international conspiracy, and specifically, the fight against the torture, isolation, and annihilation system in Imralı. More specifically, it is a result of the global freedom initiative that began on 10 October 2023."

Struggle yields results

Kalkan continued: "At the end of its first year, the year-long struggle achieved a crucial step toward breaking the isolation, a significant initial breakthrough. In our previous statement, we noted that the process is moving toward a concrete result.

Let’s be hopeful about this and engage even more actively. Indeed, this is a beginning. Struggle yields results; it brings victory. We have seen this clearly with these developments.

In this regard, on behalf of our party, I congratulate everyone who has participated in and contributed to the second year of the global freedom campaign for Leader Apo’s physical freedom and a resolution to the Kurdish issue. I salute their efforts.

This process has begun, and it will continue. We must see this and understand it. Our hope, belief, and determination should grow stronger based on this foundation."

Kalkan added: "Leader Apo responded to everyone with a single statement, setting forth a stance that will prompt new discussions. This is quite significant and worth noting. He responded to the appeals directed toward him, asserting, 'I have the theoretical and practical power to move the solution to the Kurdish issue onto a legal and political ground.' In doing so, he refuted those who claim he lacks influence or that his organization and people would not listen to him, clearly demonstrating his strength. Following this, our co-chairmanship and movement, as well as our people, declared their support for any struggle or stance that Leader Apo may undertake."

Leader Öcalan cannot operate within the Imrali system

Kalkan said: "This demonstrates that the Kurdish side is united, open and ready for any democratic and political solution, negotiation, and dialogue. This was made unmistakably clear and stopped those who try to create confusion with their fabricated hypothesis. [...]

In this context, many have called for Leader Apo to play a role. He has stated he is ready and capable, but suitable conditions must be created for this. Of course, this cannot be done within the isolation of Imrali; it requires active work, a 24/7 effort, connections with everyone, and the ability to gather insights from all involved. Such work cannot occur within the torture, isolation, and annihilation system in Imrali.

If these circles truly want Leader Apo to play a role and are not just employing special warfare tactics, then they must establish suitable conditions. Otherwise, no one will trust their calls. Indeed, we have seen widespread skepticism about these calls, as many questioned their origins. It’s actually a natural expectation that conditions for Leader Apo’s health, safety, and freedom to work be established, which our co-chair expressed concretely.

Leader Apo must be able to meet with everyone, and everyone wants to see this happen. Alone, no one can achieve such goals. A single person can lead, build a movement, and guide a society, but only if the means and conditions allow it. Leader Apo has shown his stance and demonstrated his power. Now, what remains is to establish the necessary conditions which he alone cannot create. Those outside must bring these conditions about.

Now the stance is clear to the public, to all of us. The responsibility of creating these conditions falls on us all, not on Leader Apo. This duty is also on those who created the Imrali system and who issued these calls. They are the ones who must make the change and alter their current stance. This must be expressed clearly."

Only Leader Öcalan can achieve a democratic political solution

Kalkan said: "It has once again become apparent that Leader Apo is the only person who can achieve a democratic political solution to the Kurdish issue, secure peace with Turkey, and lead such a process. This is crystal clear. Our leadership has declared it: Leader Apo represents the Kurdish people's will for freedom and democracy. He is the chief negotiator. No one should muddle the atmosphere with empty words or create confusion by obscuring these certainties.

This is the reality on the Kurdish side, and we underscore it again with this opportunity. Recently, Leader Apo stated clearly: isolation is ongoing. Yes, it continues, as part of the 26-year Imrali system of torture and annihilation. Isolation is not a recent issue of a few months - it is the nature of the system itself.

Therefore, to break this isolation and secure Leader Apo’s physical freedom, we must strengthen and intensify our struggle. This must serve as a call to action, a directive for all of us. If you desire change, or want a solution, and expect Leader Apo to play a role, then you must actively combat isolation. This necessity has been made evident once again, and we understand it clearly.

Thus, even though there has been a meeting with Leader Apo and his health appears stable, no one should become complacent. We must not assume that isolation has been broken or see this situation as normal."

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