The PKK will organise a ceremony in the coming days, including its executive cadres. This ceremony decision came after PKK’s end its activities after Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and Democratic Society”.

 

The ceremony is expected to be held after the call from Abdullah Öcalan. Journalist Aslan Aslan travelled to the Federated Kurdistan Region to follow the ceremony to be held in Sulaymaniyah city of the Federated Kurdistan Region. Aslan talked about the latest situation in the region.

 

 

'THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL HAPPEN'

 

Aslan said that a group of PKK members would burn their weapons and added: “In the past, many guerilla movements have surrendered their weapons to other forces, states or the United Nations (UN). But with this move, the PKK will show that weapons are no longer necessary. It is symbolic for the PKK  to do this, especially in a place like the Middle East. There were times when ceasefires were declared and peace groups travelled from the mountains of Kurdistan to Turkey. But this will be the first time such a ceremony will take place and a group of guerrillas will burn and destroy their weapons in Sulaymaniyah."

 

Sharing information about the ceremony to be held Aslan said: “It will be a huge ceremony. A group of guerrilla groups are expected to burn their weapons in or around Sulaymaniyah. There is no information about the day of the ceremony, but there are predictions. First of all, everyone is curious about Abdullah Öcalan's historic call. After Abdullah Öcalan's historic call, the guerrilla group will burn their weapons and show this to the world with a big ceremony. How the security of the coming group will be ensured is also on the agenda. The institutions here and the people who will be responsible for security are interested in this issue." 

 

‘PUK WILL BE RESPONSIBLE ON SECURITY’

 

Aslan said: “Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) will be responsible for the security of the coming group. Because this ceremony is being held in their territory. It is a great honour for Sulaymaniyah that this historic moment to be held in here. Sulaymaniyah will be the symbol of peace. PUK will also pioneer this. In fact, this is not the first time the YNK has undertaken this historical responsibility. In 1993, Mam Jalal (Jalal Talabani) stood by Abdullah Öcalan when the ceasefire was declared. This move to be initiated by the Kurdish Freedom Movement will have a great impact on Sulaymaniyah, Rojava (East Kurdistan) and the Middle East. Because Abdullah Öcalan said in his call on 27 February.  He said, this process, this call is not only for Kurds; it is for all the peoples of the Middle East, for the peoples of the world. The PKK once again wants to be an example to the world."

 

'KDP IS NOT IN THE PROCESS BUT NOT AN OBSTACLE'

 

Aslan stressed that Kurdistan Democrat Party (KDP) did not take part in the process but did not prevent the process: “KDP wanted this historical moment to take place in its own region and made efforts in this direction. But Sulaymaniyah was deemed more appropriate due to the security problem. Because even in recent periods, there were attacks against guerrilla areas in the regions where the KDP was dominant.”

 

Aslan said: "The arrival of the guerrilla group will show a will and attitude. But it is also curious what will happen next and what steps the Turkish state will take. This group will return to their areas after burning their weapons. Because the legal basis for this has not yet been established. Why else would the guerrilla group not go to Turkey and take part in democratic politics? These terms and conditions should have been created. This is why the KCK and the leaders of the Kurdish movement are also talking about the importance of correcting the laws and the legal basis. If these conditions are not created, if this group cannot take part in democratic politics, if there will still be persecution, torture and massacres, then this process will not achieve its goal. In order for this process to achieve its goal, Turkey must also take steps as soon as possible. President Tayyip Erdoğan says that the process will enter a different phase after the guerrilla group arrives. This month will be a month of intense hot developments. Very important developments await us.”

 

'LEGAL BASIS REQUIRED'

 

Emphasising that it is a matter of curiosity what kind of an attitude Turkey will take after this step, Aslan concluded: “One wonders what step the state will take and what attitude it will develop rather than the guerrilla group coming here and burning weapons. If these attacks continue, the process will not reach its goal. The issue is not whether the weapons are laid down or burnt; the issue is how sincere the state is in this process. The process should be carried out in a healthy way without any provocations. Because provocations can occur in these periods. If the state is sincere and wants to do something, it should take steps. Firstly, the isolation in İmralı should be lifted, everyone should be able to meet Abdullah Öcalan. Until today, the Kurdish Freedom Movement has taken this process unilaterally. It has taken steps despite all impossibilities and attacks. The state should also show its sincerity in this process with practical steps."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut