14 November 2010
Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan called for creation of a "Truth Commission" to end the 30 year old armed conflict between Turkey and the PKK.
He said the guerilla forces may withdraw to South Kurdistan only if the "Truth Commission" become functional and a reconciliation is reached between Turks and Kurds.
During his weekly meeting with his lawyers Ocalan said he wants to end the armed conflict in principle. But the creation and work of a "Truth and Reconcialition Commission" is vital to move the peace process forward he insisted.
He said the creation of such a commission is possible only if the Turkish parliament takes initiative.
He pointed the experience in South Africa where the "Truth and Reconcialition Commission" led by prominent cleric Desmond Tutu played a key role in peace building process.
Ocalan mentioned the commission can be on the agenda of the negotiations which are held by Turkish officials with him in Imralı High Security Prison. Ocalan said if the negotiations processes he might help to withdraw Kurdish guerillas to South Kurdistan.
"Everybody has to acknowledge that the decision to withdraw guerilla forces is a critical decision. Nobody can take responsibilty for this decision except me" Ocalan added.
Ocalan there is no agreement between him and Turkish officials about withdrawing Kurdish guerillas.
He said Kurdistan Workers Party's (PKK) and Peace and Democracy Party's (BDP) public messages carry a significant importance in the peace process.
He called the Kurdish politicians who are standing trial in so-called KCK case "political hostages" and said Turkish state is trying to degenerate Kurdish legal movement.
He also gave support to the Kurdish politicians who insist to speak Kurdish at the courtroom.
152 prominent Kurdish politicians are standing trial in Diyarbakir for being a member of an illegal organization. They demand to make their defense speeches in Kurdish which Turkish judges repeatedly denied.
Ocalan also called for creation of a democratic autonomy constitution and said that Kurds need to organize themselves in every aspect to govern themselves.
Ocalan said "democratic autonomy" is a self-governing model for Kurdish people.
ANF /
ANF NEWS AGENCY
