NEWS CENTRE – Stating that the first condition for peace to be achieved between the Kurdish people and the Turkish state is the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, Murat Karayılan said: "It is quite clear that if Leader Apo remains in prison, this process will not develop."

 

A video message prepared by People's Defense Centre (HSM) Command Member Murat Karayılan on the occasion of "Fedai Martyrs' Month" was broadcast on Gerîla TV. In his speech, Karayılan commemorated those who lost their lives in the struggle of the Kurdish Freedom Movement and made important statements regarding current developments.

 

Stating that from the day Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan emerged until today, the essential spirit of the Freedom Movement has been sacrifice, comradeship, and a high level of commitment to values based on this principle, Murat Karayılan said: "Today, more than ever, this spirit is needed. We are now at the stage of achieving results. At this stage, there is a need for both greater initiative, professionalism, and an Apoist fedai spirit. The more we strengthen this spirit within ourselves, the closer we will get to victory, to success."

 

'THE MENTALITY OF DENIAL AND ANNIHILATION IS STILL AT PLAY'

 

Stating that for the resolution of the Kurdish issue, first of all both sides' mentality must change, Karayılan said: "We have carried out this change; we have realized a transformation in the solution paradigm. We say this openly: within this framework, we can move toward a solution through dialogue. The state side also says 'let's move toward a solution,' but their ideas or mentality are as before. The mentality of denial and annihilation is still at play. It is quite clear that there can be no democratic solution with this mentality. For the solution to develop, there must also be a change of mentality on the part of the Turkish state."

 

Stating that in order for the state not to see the Kurdish people as a danger to itself, not to see them as an enemy, and to move toward a solution with the Kurdish people through dialogue, the state must not disregard the Kurdish people, Karayılan said: "If such a change occurs on their part, a solution can be discussed with them. If they do not change this mentality, it will be difficult for the solution to develop."

 

Recalling that this process is a process of struggle, Karayılan said: "Leader Apo is indeed making a tremendous effort in İmralı prison right now, in these talks, in this dialogue. He is putting up a very important struggle. Leader Apo says, 'I want to create a place for the Kurds.' Now this state denies the Kurds. It also sees the Kurds outside Turkey as a danger to itself. If the state changes this mentality, if it legally recognizes the Kurds, then the dangers to the gains of Kurds outside Turkey will also disappear. The struggle that Leader Apo is currently waging in İmralı is a national struggle. It is for all Kurds. Because if the Turkish state does not abandon its policy of denial and annihilation, it will always see the gains of the Kurds as a danger to itself. With this mindset, it cannot achieve genuine friendship with the Kurds. For the danger to the gains of the Kurds to be eliminated, first of all this mentality of the Turkish state must be changed. If it legally recognizes the Kurds within itself, this would constitute this change."

 

'THE FRAMEWORK LAW MUST COVER THE WHOLE'

 

Karayılan said: "It is possible for them to pass a law solely concerning the laying down of arms by the guerrilla; this on its own is of course not enough. The framework law must cover the whole. First of all, Leader Apo's situation has also been discussed in Turkey; Devlet Bahçeli himself said 'He should be the coordinator of peace and politicization.' In his subsequent statement, which he called a 'road map,' he somewhat walked back his assessments, but his first statement was 'let him be the coordinator of peace and politicization.' This discussion took place. It is quite clear that if Leader Apo remains in prison, this process will not develop. The decision we took at the PKK's 12th Congress is also within this framework. We did not say 'we will lay down arms.' We said 'we are halting the strategy of armed struggle.' For the laying down of arms, Leader Apo himself needs to be able to develop this process. In other words, he must be free. This is in the decisions. Now they want to extricate themselves from this, saying 'let the guerrilla lay down arms.' It cannot be like this."

 

'FIRST AND FOREMOST, LEADER APO MUST BE FREE'

 

Stating that "this is not an ordinary matter; a fundamental law is needed," Karayılan said: "First of all, Leader Apo's status must be made clear. He is the primary interlocutor for the resolution of the Kurdish issue. This is his status. He is the representative of the Kurdish people. For this reason, for peace to be achieved between the Kurdish people and the Turkish state, and for the brotherhood of peoples to develop, first and foremost Leader Apo must be free."

 

Continuing his speech, Karayılan said: "Secondly, just as the Kurdish people have been verbally recognized, this must also be written into the laws of the Republic. The existence of the Kurdish people must be legalized. At present it is outside the law; there are no Kurds in Turkey's laws. If we want to develop a solution, to achieve peace, the Kurds must be legalized. What could be more legitimate than this? If they fulfil these, and on this basis a law on democratic integration is passed for the guerrilla, the guerrilla will stand by it. Then the process will develop. Everyone must see this truth."

 

'UNTIL LEGAL STEPS ARE TAKEN, THE GUERRILLA WILL NOT LAY DOWN ARMS'

 

Stating that unless legal steps are taken the guerrilla will not lay down arms, Karayılan said: "The Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla did not become guerrilla in order to make the Turkish state accept it; they became guerrilla for certain sacred goals, for the existence of the Kurdish people, for the rights of the Kurdish people. Unless legal steps are taken, the guerrilla will not lay down arms. Everyone must know this truth. The process is proceeding within this framework. Within the month we need to see what kind of law the one to be adopted will be. It is not even clear whether they will bring it onto the agenda. If they do put it on the agenda, what will its content be? We must see this. If the content is solution-oriented — that is, if it includes those three points we have listed — then it can be considered. Then the way could be opened for the process. But if it is not like this, if it is narrow, if it is based solely and exclusively on the laying down of arms, this will not be accepted. This will not develop the process."

 

'NATIONAL UNITY MUST ABSOLUTELY BE ACHIEVED'

 

Stating that in order not to experience a second Lausanne, everyone must approach the process with an extraordinary attitude, Karayılan said: "In response to this, we can state the tasks of the period under two headings. The first is political tasks. In other words, all political segments must see this extraordinary situation, and must absolutely achieve national unity. Even if it is not achieved at a very high level, there must be a common Kurdish strategy. At present the organizing of a national conference is the goal; this is very important."

 

Finally, Karayılan warned that this process holds every possibility within it.