HDP Co-president Selahattin Demirtaş commented on the growing split in the AKP, saying: “All this upheaval is the beginning of the end for the AKP. The steps taken by the HDP, the stance of the Kurdish freedom movement, the victory in Kobanê and Mr Öcalan's clear and determined calls have deepened this split, which will be beneficial for Turkey.”

Abdullah Öcalan's message read out in Amed emphasised “agreement on principles and the parties fulfilling their responsibilities”, and also mentioned a “Democratic Common Home in the Middle East.” President Erdoğan recent statement to the effect that he ‘did not approve of the monitoring delegation’ exposed the growing split in the AKP. What is happening in the AKP? What is the significance of Öcalan's Newroz message? What sort of message was Ankara expecting? Did Öcalan give a date for disarming? What is Erdoğan trying to do? Will the monitoring delegation be set up? 

Demirtaş stressed that Öcalan definitely did not give a date for disarming, contrary to the claims of the pro-government media, and said the government must decide whether there is a Kurdish question, “as if there is not a Kurdish question what will the monitoring delegation monitor?” he added.

HDP Co-president Selahattin Demirtaş answered ANF's questions thus: 

What was the message of the crowds in Amed, Istanbul and Izmir at Newroz?

“Newroz has been celebrated for the last 20 years in particular as a day of liberation in Kurdistan. It has been transformed into a day that symbolises the spirit of resistance and is much more than a festival celebrating the arrival of spring. Newroz of 2013, 2014 and 2015 have been days when we have awaited messages from Mr Öcalan regarding the process. The crowds at this year’s Newroz demonstrate how the people have taken ownership of this day.”

‘HDP is the party that is the common home of all the peoples’

One of the striking aspects of Mr Öcalan's Newroz message was the stress on a Common Democratic Home in the Middle East. What is the significance of this?

The HDP is the party of this concept expressed by Mr Öcalan. The HDP is a party which endeavours to embrace all identities and beliefs in Turkey without a hierarchy. It is a proposal that offers a cure to the centuries-old hostility between peoples in the Middle East that have been exacerbated by imperialist intervention and the creation of nation states. It is a profound concept that goes far beyond a superficial call to end war and usher in world peace. It is a concept that is the result of an indepth analysis of history, mythology and religion and the relationship between women and men and between the state and society. He mentions a common home, a joint life, a new life as the only force that can oppose the economic and cultural intervention of neo-liberalism. This has all been reflected in our party programme.

‘The text read out at Newroz is an accord’

The Turkish Armed Forces responded to the mention of a ‘Ashme spirit’ in the message. How do you assess this reply?

“The term ‘spirit of Ashme’ was used in the message to express concretely and symbolically the idea of a joint home in the Middle East, as conceptualised by Mr Öcalan. He wishes to reconstruct the relationship between Turks and Kurds within a framework of unity based on equality. The operation to move the tomb of Suleiman Shah to Ashme with the YPG forces supporting and coordinating with the Turkish army units symbolises how this new relationship between Turks and Kurds might look. Mr Öcalan is saying: 'If we want to resolve the problems we have to behave as we did at Ashme. Peoples have to act in unison against attacks.” When this message was being discussed at Imrali the authorities did not object. The message did not reach the Newroz celebration without first being scrutinised by the state. The text read out there is an accord, but the President and the Turkish Armed Forces have declared that they do not recognise this accord.” 

‘Mr Öcalan definitely did not give a date’

You describe the message as an accord, but it has caused controversy. Wasn’t Ankara expecting such a message?

There is speculation claiming that Mr Öcalan gave a date for the congress to be held which was later removed. There was no date in the letter submitted by Mr Öcalan. Even if there had been we have no authority to alter even one word in his letter. However, a day or to before it ws due to be read out, the President started to oppose the accord. Now we don’t know to whom we should be speaking. The Government has welcomed the Newroz message, but the President has declared he does not recognise it. No progress can be made until this confusion is resolved.”

Whose decision is binding, in your opinion?

“Yesterday the President said: 'I started the process and my opinion is important.’ But it is difficult to say. At the moment there is a widening split and we don’t know where it will lead.”

‘The Government must decide whether there is a Kurdish question’ 

While the President opposes the setting up of a Monitoring Delegation some names have already appeared in the press. What is the situation regarding this delegation?

“The statements made by our delegation that met Mr Öcalan are binding. The President wants to run everything. But it is not just a question of whether a Monitoring Delegation will be established. There is a much more fundamental point. The President said: ‘There is not a Kurdish question.’ If there is no Kurdish question, what will the monitoring delegation monitor? But if the Government says: 'There is a Kurdish question and we are prepared to discuss it on the basis of the 10 points,’ then a monitoring delegation will be necessary. This has been discussed for 2 years.”

“There is an election approaching. The President is angry because he cannot control things as he used to. He wants to use the talks in order to strengthen the AKP before the election, not to achieve peace. But we are not allowing him to do this, which is why he is angry. He doesn’t care about a solution.”

‘Erdoğan is not interested in resolution and peace’

Does Erdoğan want to ensure the HDP is not in parliment?

“Certainly. He wants to blame the HDP for the difficulties in the process. The President doesn’t care if there is conflict after the election. He only cares about getting enough deputies to give him presidential powers. He is not interested in peace, the plight of peoples in Turkey or a resolution of the Kurdish question.”

‘The split in the AKP is good for Turkey’

What do you think is happening in the AKP? 

Everyone was expecting something to happen. There are people in the AKP with good intentions, but I think that most of the people with authority in the party think like Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They may be able to regather and heal the split before the electtion. But as a pro-AKP columnist has observed, ‘the vase is broken.’ This dispute is the beginning of the end for the AKP. The steps taken by the HDP, the stance of the Kurdish freedom movement, the victory in Kobanê and Mr Öcalan's clear and determined calls have deepened this split, which will be beneficial for Turkey.”

‘Now is the time to take ownership of peace’

It is said you are not optimistic about the chances for peace. Are you really pessimistic?

“It is not possible to be hopeful when you look at the government side. In Istanbul on Sunday I said we would not be warmongering just because the President and the government do not want peace. The peace process belongs to society, it is not the property of the President. He cannot say: ‘I started it and I will end it.’ It is now time to take ownership of peace. Pressure must be put on the government. The Monitoring Delegation must be set up and discussion with the government on the 10 points must be ensured. The CHP and other parties must also get involved. Now is the time to take ownership of peace.”