‘The real aim is annihilation’ said Kurdish Peoples Leader Abdullah, and called on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to be ‘serious.’ Öcalan expressed the view that no other groups would come to Turkey and indicated that Erdoğan was attempting to play several different roles, he emphasised that ‘the Kurds wouldn’t concede this goal.’ Öcalan continued by saying that the last stage of the expansion was one of trickery and deception and suggested that the rights given by France to Corsica should also be granted to the Kurds.
PEACE NEEDS SERIOUSNESS
Stating that peace was a serious business and respect needed to be shown to it, Öcalan said: ‘‘This is not a game, it needs a serious approach. It needs respect. Everything has been understood. The arrival of the peace groups and the Kurdish peoples’ reception and honourable stance has uncovered the government’s real face and intentions. The government’s plan has fallen through. The people who went to greet them were not just DTP or PKK sympathisers. AKP supporters also went. This is what is scaring the government. They are afraid of losing votes. However, this situation is not one that can be conducted with the fear of losing votes. Peace needs seriousness. I would like to thank all the friends who complied with my call and came. In this way they have shown their loyalty. With the arrival of these groups and the response of the Kurdish people, we have shown that we are in favour of peace. The Kurds have declared their desire for peace. However, the government has not responded to this in a serious manner. This will not do. On one side the Interior Minister is saying one thing, on the other the families of martyred Turkish soldiers are going to Parliament and meeting with the President of the Assembly and talking disrespectfully and insultingly, saying it is terror and such like. This is disrespectful.’’
THE AKP IS NOT SINCERE, THEY DO NOT WANT PEACE
Underlining that the AKP were not serious about peace, Öcalan called on Prime Minister Erdoğan to show some seriousness. Öcalan said, ‘‘The AKP is not serious. Being a statesman is a serious business. Peace is a serious business, the AKP is not sincere, they do not want peace. The point that this expansion process has reached is one of trickery and deception. Once again they are attempting to scapegoat the Kurds for what has happened. Their approach is like trying to trick a fifteen year old girl. This is the approach they are taking with me. However, they will not succeed. They are saying we will reassess the process; it cannot go on like this. I am calling on Erdoğan for some seriousness. There will be no more groups from now on. There is no need for them from now on.’’
THE EXPANSION IS A LIE, THE REAL AIM IS TO ANNIHILATE THE PKK
‘‘What does ‘we will start over’ mean? They can do whatever they please. They do not have intent for peace anyway. They are not serious or sincere for peace. Their only aim is annihilation. The Prime Minister has no right to act emotionally. I have been kept here for 10 years as the most isolated person on the planet and still I do not act emotionally even in my hardest moment. The peace process cannot be conducted out of concern for votes. They are still worried about their seats. The AKP is not sincere. The AKP’s plan has been exposed by the arrival of the peace groups. They think by supposedly using me they can solve this problem according to their own wishes. They cannot use me in this way. The expansion is a lie, the real aim is to annihilate the PKK.’
THE TURKISH SUPRA-IDENTITY IS A HORROR
‘‘Baskın Oran in one of his works says ‘the Turkish supra-identity is frightening.’ It is a judgment that has come too late. He has probably read my writings; he has his own studies as well. He is saying this and so am I. Furthermore there is no real Turkishness in the Turkish identity. Yes, the Turkish supra-identity is frightening; I am calling it a horror. The Turkish supra-identity is being forced upon all the Peoples (of Turkey.) Using this Turkish supra-identity they have tried creating a dress that is too tight for all the Peoples left over from the Ottoman Empire. They are trying to fit in 10, 20 people in a dress that is too tight and too thick and bound by stiff and permanent laws. By doing this they tried to dissolve cultures and create a compound.’’
THEY CANNOT ANNIHILATE THE PKK BY ATTEMPTING TO USE ME
‘‘I do not know what will happen from now on. They may kill me using medication or with some other method. It is up to the USA, the powers that brought me here. There have been approaches to force me to retreat, solitary confinement, physical intervention and such like. However I didn’t retreat, I will not. Regardless of whether I live or die the Kurds will not accept, should not accept anything apart from an honourable peace, they will protect their freedom. The Kurdish people have come to this point. Also they cannot annihilate the PKK by attempting to use me, it is impossible.’’
EVEN HITLER DID NOT DO THIS
‘‘There was a girl who was teaching children Kurdish in Diyarbakır, her name was Medya. This 12 year old girl was teaching her mother tongue. A prosecutor of Turkey couldn’t even tolerate this. An investigation was begun. Your prosecutor cannot even tolerate the Kurds learning their mother tongue; is this an expansion? The Kurds learning their language is not even being tolerated. This is cultural genocide. Where in the world can you find such a thing? Even Israel didn’t do this to Palestine. Even Hitler didn’t do such a thing.’’
THE RIGHTS RECOGNISED TO CORSICA SHOULD BE RECOGNISED
‘‘We do not want much. It will suffice if they recognise the rights France, who they take as an example, has given to Corsica. Was France’s unitary structure destroyed when they granted the Corsican’s their freedom, rights and territorial autonomy? No. They are not even allowing Kurds to learn their mother tongue.’’
NOTHING APART FROM AN HONOURABLE PEACE CAN BE ACCEPTED
‘‘It is evident from the arrival of the peace groups that I am still capable of convincing the PKK to put down their weapons. They listen to me, they are loyal to me. However, from now on I will not interfere. I have carried out all that is my responsibility for a democratic resolution and peace. The Kurdish people are honourable; they will not accept anything apart from an honourable peace. The Kurds’ will for peace has been formed. We must not let those against peace be victorious. As I have said, I may die here, or be killed. With or without me the Kurds and the Kurdish Movement have come to the point where they can make their own decisions and not compromise their freedom and honour. I cannot make decisions here regarding war, I will not. This decision can only be made by the PKK.’’