Parties assess crisis and Öcalan's situation
Parties assess crisis and Öcalan's situation
Political parties and intellectuals responded to the continued isolation of the imprisoned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader, Abdullah Öcalan by saying that the current crisis will only deepens the conflict.
Öcalan's lawyers have made 10 official applications to meet their client over the past four weeks, all of which have been denied. This, the parties said, amounts to a "declaration of war."
"While Öcalan remains in prison, there can't be a solution to the Kurdish issue. For this reason, we are working together for his release," said Revolutionary Socialist Workers' Party (DSÝP) Chairperson, Doðan Tarkan, speaking to DIHA News Agency. "The first step toward peace must be the release of Öcalan. Without this first step, subsequent steps will be very difficult. After this is done, fair negotiations with the state can begin and this conflict, which has claimed so many lives, can be brought to an end. Socialist and democratic forces are struggling to take this first step," Tarkan concluded.
Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) Chairperson, Alper Taþ, said, "This is a war where no one is a winner; everyone loses. There is an immediate need for a solution. For this reason, meetings with Öcalan must not be obstructed. The problem is not Qandil, the problem is within the borders of Turkey, and it is here we need to look for a solution. The problem can be solved by establishing a dialogue with the Kurdish political movement. Both sides need to take steps in this direction. Let this holiday be a time to start."
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Chairman, Hamit Geylani, discussing Öcalan's isolation said, "The result of this isolation is a continuation of the war. It is a very dangerous and dirty policy. It seems to be an invitation to war."
Republican People's Paty (CHP) Vice-Chairman, Sezgin Tanrýkulu said, "What was being discussed with Öcalan? Why were these meetings given up? The government must explain this."
Labour Party (EMEP) Chairman, Selma Gürkan said, "The isolation of Öcalan is a part of the elimination of Kurdish People. We are calling on the AKP to heed the power of labor and democracy. We want a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue. Otherwise, Erdoðan will become another Mubarak, Essad or Gaddafi.
Öcalan's lawyers have made 10 official applications to meet their client over the past four weeks, all of which have been denied. This, the parties said, amounts to a "declaration of war."
"While Öcalan remains in prison, there can't be a solution to the Kurdish issue. For this reason, we are working together for his release," said Revolutionary Socialist Workers' Party (DSÝP) Chairperson, Doðan Tarkan, speaking to DIHA News Agency. "The first step toward peace must be the release of Öcalan. Without this first step, subsequent steps will be very difficult. After this is done, fair negotiations with the state can begin and this conflict, which has claimed so many lives, can be brought to an end. Socialist and democratic forces are struggling to take this first step," Tarkan concluded.
Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) Chairperson, Alper Taþ, said, "This is a war where no one is a winner; everyone loses. There is an immediate need for a solution. For this reason, meetings with Öcalan must not be obstructed. The problem is not Qandil, the problem is within the borders of Turkey, and it is here we need to look for a solution. The problem can be solved by establishing a dialogue with the Kurdish political movement. Both sides need to take steps in this direction. Let this holiday be a time to start."
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Chairman, Hamit Geylani, discussing Öcalan's isolation said, "The result of this isolation is a continuation of the war. It is a very dangerous and dirty policy. It seems to be an invitation to war."
Republican People's Paty (CHP) Vice-Chairman, Sezgin Tanrýkulu said, "What was being discussed with Öcalan? Why were these meetings given up? The government must explain this."
Labour Party (EMEP) Chairman, Selma Gürkan said, "The isolation of Öcalan is a part of the elimination of Kurdish People. We are calling on the AKP to heed the power of labor and democracy. We want a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue. Otherwise, Erdoðan will become another Mubarak, Essad or Gaddafi.
