The Peace Assembly of Turkey issued a press statement regarding the meeting held with members of the Wise Persons Delegation in Istanbul on 10 September. The statement said the meeting had stressed the importance of Öcalan’s conditions being improved, a more conducive atmosphere for negotiations being established and a 'Civil Monitoring Council' being set up.

In the written statement it was said that there had been a debate regarding how a contribution could be made to peace within the framework of the Framework Law, no. 6551, and that the existing state of the process, and the problems and risks being faced were examined.

'A conducive atmosphere must be established for Öcalan'

The statement emphasised that despite certain problems arising during the process, it had been carried out seriously by both sides. It was also indicated that there was a potential for harm caused by tension in the region, such as at Lice.

It was stressed that despite issues over the wording, Law no 6551, 'Pertaining to the Ending of Terror and the Strengthening of Social Integration' was important by the fact of its existence and content, and because it demonstrated the intentions of the government and bound it to law.

It was underlined that, as Öcalan said, the 'transition from conflict to politics' has been largely completed, and the importance of Öcalan’s conditions being improved and a more conducive atmosphere for negotiations being established was expressed.

At the meeting the issue of setting fire to work machinery was raised, while opposing that the use of the word 'rehabilitation' as a euphemism for the building of dams in the region was criticised.

'Public opinion must be prepared for next phase of process'

The importance of an impartial 'Civil Monitoring Council' being set up was emphasised and it was decided such a council should be equidistant from the two sides. Regarding the Framework Law, the following proposal was made:

"An Application Unit should be established to enable individuals, in particular those living abroad, to enquire as to their legal situation in Turkey." It was emphasised that there are close to 2 million people in such a situation. It was stated that one of the most important steps that need taking in order for the process to go forward was to ensure that public opinion was kept informed and prepared for future developments.

As in Nepal, the importance of 'an impartial commission working with the government to overcome blockages in the negotiations while retaining its civil identity' was stressed.

'A decentralised structure must be introduced'

At the meeting the importance of a decentralised structure being introduced in accordance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government was raised, and the importance for peace of an increasing inter-dependence between Kurds and Turks at a local level was expressed.

The general feeling of the meeting was that it was necessary for the two sides to take steps in unison for the process to move forward.