Declaration on the Democratic Solution of the Kurdish Question
Abdullah Öcalan
Mesopotamian Publishers
"I reject the charges of treason. I firmly believe that my fight was for free life and unity. I did not struggle against the Republic, but for Democratic Republic. I hope this problem, which was aggravated by historic mistakes, will be resolved. I want my trial to contribute to the solution. I reiterate my calls and commitment for a just and dignified peace and brotherhood based on a democratic republic. I call on the State, social forces and Humanity to assume their responsibilities. I believe the future for Turkey lies in peace, not in war.
With my regards"
Contents
Section I
Introduction / 7
At the end of the 20th Century: Victorious Democracy / 13
Turkey’s Agenda for the 20(X)s / 17
A Short History and some Fundamental Characteristics of Turkish-Kurdish Relations / 19
The War of National Liberation and a New Stage in Turkish-Kurdish Relations / 22
The Emergence of the PKK and a New Satge in the Kurdish Question / 29
The Role of the Kurds in the History of the Republic, the Kurdish Question and its Solution / 32 Transformation Problems within the PKK / 36
The PKK's Action Structure / 48
The Biggest Problem in the History of the Republic must be Solved Democratically / 50
Mustafa Kemal. Leader of the TGNA / 52
Experiences with Democratic Slutions / 60
The Kurdish Problem Involves not Separation but Democratic Union with Republic / 76
The Democratic Union Solution is the Future of Turkey / 85
Democratic Union Solution Theses / 86
My Personal Status / 99
Conclusion: Democratic Union is the new historic step of the Republic / 110
section II
The Final Statement in Response to Prosecutor’s Summing-up / 121
Transformation of the PKK is not a Dilemma but a necessity / 126
Two roads and two historic outcomes of the relation between Turkey and the Kurds and the Kurdish uprising /133
To Insist on Dilemma and Armed Conflict Means to lose the Coming Century / 137
A Democratic Solution to the Problem is a Future Gained for Turkey / 144
Conclusion: The Imrali Process can be tut Historic Starting-point / 152
INTRODUCTION
My defence is not so much based on detailed replies to the charges in the indictment prepared by the Chief Prosecutor [of the State Security Courtsl. as it is about what 1 see as a more important topic: how to reach an historic reconciliation from a revolt under the leadership of the PKK, and increase the possibility of a solution to the Kurdish issue. 1 have created an opportunity for peace to these [armed) activities that could very well be called a low-intensity war.
Actually. I voiced these views for the first time as a response to President Turgut Ozal's call [for a ceasefire?!. At the historic press conference on 15 March. 1993 |where 1 declared the ceasefire], this is exactly what 1 said:
"We are not demanding an immediate separation from Turkey. We are realists on this subject. Do not interpret this I ceasefire I as a simple tactic [serving a hidden agenda] There are many reasons as to why [we are realists]. Those who understand the historic, political and economic situation of the two peoples [the Kurds and Turks!, know well that separation could not take place. They [the Kurds and Turks] are intertwined like flesh and bone."
I have emphasised this in many interviews. We want the relations to be rearranged. Knotted relations and contradictions of a thousand years await untangling. Our fundamental understanding rests on a free and equal rearrangement of [Kurdish-Turkish relations]. To dub us "separatists" at every opportunity, is in fact the attitude that aims to fan separatism. The current arrangement of relations is hugely draining the life and the wealth of both the Turkish and the Kurdish people.
Here is what I clearly said on the occasion of our latest unilateral ceasefire on 1 September 1998 before I was handed to Turkey at the end of a plot carried out by an international force:
"The war. if not originating from a very important contradiction, is a madness. Especially, meaningless terror and violence should never be part of human affairs. If this huge oppression of us is let up a bit and stopped; if human rights and democracy are promoted'to improve our relations, and if problems are solved through dialogue. I don't think you will find any other people and organisation that are as thirsty for peaceful methods as us."
I continued with these words:
"...right now the most fundamental problem of Turkey is to take democracy out of its state of demagoguery and trust it to the care of the people. This should not be taken as bashing the Republic. Especially, divisive and separatist, it never is. If anything, it is a wish for democratizing the Republic. This indeed is in the interest of Turkey. This is. if anything, to resuscitate Turkey from its currently choked off state. Those who speak and act in the name of the Republic must do something about this counter-democracy. This is basically what I said about violence."
"We are the side that has suffered the most from this violence. Who could blame us if in this state of horrific imbalance of forces, in order to avoid extermination, we were forced to defend ourselves, our most legitimate rights, our identity and culture? The UN Constitution and even the Constitution of the Turkish Republic recognizes [the legitimacy of] the defense of these rights.”
I am quoting these because some people might misinterprete these views that I have adopted due to the harsh conditions of my solitary ...
Abdullah Öcalan
Declaration on the Democratic Solution
of the Kurdish Question
Mesopotamian Publishers
Mesopotamian Publishers
"My Defence"
Declaration on the Democratic Solution
of the Kurdish Question
Abdullah Öcalan
Translation from the Turkish original by
the Kurdistan Information Centre
10 Glasshouse Yard London EC1A 4JN
tel +44 171 250 1315
fax +44 171 250 1317
First Printed: July 1999
