Ocalan Calls PKK Declare Unilateral Ceasefire
Accessed only under permission and often with difficulty with his lawyers Ocalan, during his last visit with them is reported to convey the message that if the PKK laid down its arms he believed a solution to the Kurdish problem could be reached.
In his message publicized through his attorneys, the PKKs founder said, come, let us all together abandon making weapons the method of obtaining results endlessly in Turkey and the Middle East. In order for all of these to be done, I am doing what is my responsibility and calling on the PKK for a ceasefire. I am hoping that the PKK will abide by my appeal and that results will be achieved.
Yet, Ocalans September 27 statement reaching the public through the Centurys Justice Bureau (AHB) did warn that if reciprocal steps were not taken for a solution, not only could the PKK decide not to listen to his appeals in the future but that any remaining chance for peace could be lost.
The two-page statement commented on the wasted opportunities of past steps towards ending violence and warned everyone that if a ceasefire period started, there could be provocations in this period. Ocalan called for care against any action that could fan provocation or serve its targets and said the process that followed needed to be pursued with mutual sincerity.
Still sounding much in control of his organization despite all physical contact with it since his arrest being lost and a number of splinters, for and against violence, tarring the past years, Ocalan continued:
"As a requirement of being a state, the army could do some things that are related to security, which could be seen with understanding, but I do hope they will not launch big operations.
On the other hand, as I have said many times over, self-defense is a justified right and a duty, which should be known. Based on these, unless the PKK faces attacks directed at destroying it, it will definitely not use weapons.
Negotiations required
Ocalans statement referred to a number of initiatives made recently in Turkey by groups supporting democracy for an urgent ceasefire on part of the PKK and the need for peace in the conflicy and continued:
At the point we have arrived, it is necessary to end this blood and give another chance to peace.
The PKK leader said that in order to solve the Kurdish issue through democratic means, all sections of the Turkish society needed to be talked to and expressed hope that this would contribute to the new process.
Ocalan also called on the EU and the USA to contribute to the process and at the very least, not block it.
Could be last chance
Stressing that the cease-fire process was an important opportunity, Ocalan called for it to be used in the best possible ways.
Because, he said, this could be our last chance.
If this process fails to work in the correct way too, things will come to an irreversible point. If a solution is not obtained, neither I can make an appeal after this, and find the strength in me to do so, nor would the PKK listen to me.
Ceasefire at a glance
A most recent appeal for a PKK ceasefire was issued earlier by over 200 Kurdish and Turkish intellectuals living in Turkey, asking for a unilateral and unconditional end to PKK attacks and violence but also requesting Ankara to respond positively to such a development.
This was then followed on September 11 by the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) often accused with PKK links issuing its own appeal to the PKK.
A number of Turkish and international organizations then fell in line mid September with public statements which appeared to result with a statement made by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to Newsweek this week saying they had convinced the organization to lay down arms.
Yesterday, the media quoted European Parliament's Turkey Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings saying the PKK had to declare a ceasefire too. (KO/TK/II/YE)