From the diary of martyr Yılmaz Botan...

We were subjected to the most cowardly, immoral and unjust practices in an arena where we were ignored, but we knew how precious hope was and regarded honour as sacred. Therefore, we never gave up. On 27 November, we rose up again and took up the reins...

At the end of a calm day, 3 days before 27 November, when I look back, I am surprised at how we spent the last 20 days in the camp in the blink of an eye. When the days are full and meaningful, one does not notice how fast they pass. I am currently writing this short but comprehensive article in a cold, deep and dark cave in one of the highest mountains of Kurdistan. We must stay in this cave, which we try to lighten with small lanterns and where we have to spend the winter despite the harsh conditions, for exactly 6 months.

Let me start by stating that all my friends are preparing themselves for 27 November, the foundation anniversary of the PKK. The PKK was established in 1978 at a meeting held in the house of martyr Seyfettin Zogurlu in the Fis village of Lice district in Amed (Diyarbakir). November 27 is a meaningful day for the Kurdish people. Following the establishment of the PKK, the Kurdish people resurrected, gained spirit and got stronger. The Kurdish people have thus steered for liberation, and now it is the 35th anniversary of the PKK, which is getting closer to freedom step by step.

There is a lot of enthusiasm among all friends for the day. As far as we hear from the radio, everyone with a conscience and morality shares this enthusiasm. We were subjected to the most cowardly, immoral and unjust practices in an arena where we were ignored, but we knew how precious hope was and regarded honour as sacred. Therefore, we never gave up. On 27 November, we rose up again and took up the reins... Now the finishing line of the marathon is just a breath away. We will definitely come in first and remove all the obstacles.

How does one spend a day in such a cave? This is certainly an object of curiosity. 6 months underground. In a cold and dark cave. There is no sun, no green areas, and there is no living thing but you. The only source of news is our radios, which make squeaky sounds. If you explain all of these to a stranger, of course, she/he will say "this is unbearable". But it's happening. If a person does it with love, with an immanent idea, a firm belief, endless hope and commitment, there is nothing impossible.

We will live with 30 friends for 6 months in this cave. Of course, we see this time as priceless. This time period will offer us an opportunity for extraordinary concentration and self-education. We will always remain active to make this time real and meaningful. We will reinvent ourselves. Like a dervish in the temple of freedom, we will introduce a revolution in conscience and morality through a deep civil war. Put it differently, we will go through intensive training and change, transform and restructure ourselves this winter. Of course, this will be done by knowing and surpassing ourselves. This will be realized with the map of truth bestowed by the "overman" on all humanity. In the first place, we will study the pleas put forward by our leaders and confront the past. We will take advice from the precursors and learn from the past. This experience will be our competent ideological background. And we will apply this extensive knowledge to the present and meet the future with great hope.

In short, we will go through an intense process during which we will reinforce our will and consciousness to participate in the next practice with a competent and self-sacrificing spirit. We totally pin our faith on this.

It is certain that we will achieve outstanding achievements at every moment of this time and achieve victory.