The Co-Presidency of the Executive Council of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) issued a statement regarding the political party visits by the İmralı Delegation. The KCK statement drew attention to the comprehensive statement made by the İmralı Delegation on January 17, quoting the following from the DEM Party delegation’s remarks: “In line with Leader Apo’s views and proposals, our meetings both inside and outside Parliament have been positive, and a strong will has emerged for resolving the Kurdish issue and ending the conflict.”
In the statement, it was emphasized that, according to the İmralı Delegation’s declaration, a new will has emerged for a solution, noting: “We regard reaching this stage of the process as a positive development. We want to stress that we consider support from political parties and democratic mass organizations crucial for resolving the Kurdish issue and ending the conflict, and view this support as one of the cornerstones of any solution. We therefore declare that we support this will.”
Pointing out that the most significant development in this process has been the breach of the state of absolute isolation, and that this marks a critical phase of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Issue” campaign, the KCK statement continued:
“Now, a crack has appeared in the absolute isolation, and Leader Apo has been acknowledged as a counterpart by the state. Leader Apo’s views and proposals on resolving the Kurdish question, ending the conflict, and democratizing Turkey have been discussed and supported in the political arena. This is a historic development. Ensuring Leader Apo’s physical freedom, solving the Kurdish issue, and democratizing Turkey and the Middle East will be the most significant and strategic development of our century.”
Emphasizing that the democratization of Turkey is closely linked to and possible through resolving the Kurdish issue, the KCK said:
“Resolving the Kurdish question will not only pave the way for Turkey’s democratization but also serve as a foundation for democratizing the Middle East. In this historic period, in which the Middle East is being reshaped, achieving such a development would be a historic step on behalf of freedom, equality, brotherhood, democracy, revolution, and socialism. With this sense of historic responsibility, it is necessary to support the process Leader Apo is attempting to develop. Above all, revolutionary, democratic, and freedom-oriented forces must embrace this process and work actively for its success. Concerns and doubts stemming from the approaches of both the state and the government can be dispelled through embracing the process and working actively. Revolutionary democratic forces must see themselves as primarily responsible for the success of this process and, on this basis, must lead the new stage.”
Assessing the stance of the opposition as well, the KCK said:
“It is important for the opposition in Turkey, especially the CHP, to embrace and support this process. From the statement made by the DEM Party delegation, we understand that the opposition’s attitude has been positive. Indeed, Leader Apo had previously emphasized the role of the opposition and the central importance of Parliament in resolving the issue, and gave it priority.”
Underscoring the need to expand the global freedom campaign that led to these historic developments, the KCK issued the following call:
“With the morale, excitement, and joy of this historic outcome, we must strengthen the Global Freedom Initiative and strive to achieve a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue on the basis of ensuring Leader Apo’s physical freedom. We renew this call to our people, friends, and all revolutionary democratic forces. Likewise, in order for the process Leader Apo has initiated—aimed at resolving the Kurdish issue and democratizing Turkey—to succeed, we call upon Turkey’s democratic forces and left-socialist movements to assume leadership in line with their historic responsibilities.”
