Qandil Observations -3I really recommend some of the reporters such as those who "report" news like this to read what's following:
'Let the state take one step, we will take two'
As the interview goes on, it becomes clear how they [the PKK] weighed the latest developments. They are expecting well-meaning steps that are reassuring rather than words that sound nice. They don't seem to be receptive to any proposition about them without seeing these [well-meaning] steps. Yesterday the papers reported about the [Turkish] government would send a team to Makhmur [Maxmur]. Talks have been going around about emptying the Makhmur camp and sending the PKK members there. We ask what they think about the suggestion that they should be placed in the Makhmur camp. He gives a similar response to the suggestion that they should retreat their forces to Qandil. But this time, Murat Karayılan starts with a joke:
"Makhmur is too far... Our place is better than anywhere." Then he continues: "We won't move down to Makhmur. If a solution materializes, it can be discussed. Forces, based on an agreement out of the solution can behave according to a protocol developed there [in Makhmur]. But not in any other way. The stories of 'they will move down to Makhmur or they will return to Turkey, the leaders will go to Europe' is a scenario that is constantly brought up during the past few years. This scenario first came up during the first United States intervention in the region. Because we didn't accept this scenario, we started a new process on 1 June 2004. Now, even if I decide myself, I cannot execute it [the old scenario]. No administration [of the PKK] can."
'We have to be realistic'
He stresses that they [the PKK] have been acting extremely responsibly and they would try their best to open the doors for any positive development. He wants to make sure what he says is not misunderstood: "Why am I saying these? We have to be realistic. If we are really going to discuss the solution, we have to consider these facts."
He says that wrong information is being distributed about their situation. Their persistence on solution [to Kurdish question] is being interpreted differently and that it's not realistic to interpret their persistence as they are losing strength. "We are not desperate. But we are saying now that let's stop the violence. This is a societal problem and it can be solved with dialogue, with modern methods. The role of violence in solving societal problems is over now. Now the problem is in a form that can be solved through dialogue and democratic means. This is our strategy."
Then he explains that the PKK has reached a new paradigm and that they are working to implement the democratic and ecologically sensitive paradigm.
'Even if they offer an independent state we will not want it'Serkeftin.
He says "It's not being understood why we don't want to establish an independent state. Even if they offer us an independent state we will not want it. Because we are against the power of the state. But this doesn't mean that we will do armed struggle because we are against power of the state. We are saying that the state system has been in effect for five thousand years. As long as the current concept of state is implemented, there will be separation among people, there will be high class and lower class. Therefore there will not be real democracy, there will not be equality; there will be a high class and a low class. We propose a more equality based system compared to the current state concept. What we are saying is a new society, a democratic society, a new system which is based on women's revolution, which has accomplished the ecological revolution.
He stresses again: "We have unilaterally started the 'conflict avoidance' phase. We are still seriously trying to implement this. We are still working hard for 'no-conflict' phase to come to life despite the operations in the field, despite the attacks and operations that target Kurdish politicians. We sincerely want development of a phase in which weapons will not be used anymore."
'It [solution] will empower development of democracy'
He says they find it more realistic for peoples to live together in a system based on equality and freedom than establishing a separate state. He gives the European Union as an example. States like Germany, France, and England, which were enemies 50 years ago and killed millions of people from one another, have now lifted the borders and are preparing a constitution together and asks "why shouldn't we develop the same thing in the Middle East".
He stresses that solving the Kurdish question by peaceful and democratic means will empower the development of democracy in the Middle East and can be a starting point to prepare the ground for democratization of the Middle East. He says that the reverse will just empower and solidify the anti-democratic systems in the region.
He draws attention to the fact that this position is not a tactical one but a strategic one: "That is the reason we want to develop a solution to the Kurdish question that would not pressure the the unity of Turkey. We are not moving along with the logic of 'let us pass this stage like this'. We are talking about permanent solution."
'We are in the 'we' too'
He says that if the people of the Middle East would self govern and develop themselves, it would reduce external intervention and it's crucial that we [the people of the Middle East] solve our problems with self-reliance. We say that the [Turkish] government is saying similar things. He continues:
"Yes, there are similar words coming from the government officials recently. But, for example, the most receptive person, the Minister of External Affairs says 'let us solve the problem ourselves, with our self-strength', but he keeps us out. The same minister holds talks with the USA, Iraq, and EU. Instead of discussing the Kurdish question with the Kurds, he discusses it with external powers. He doesn't include Kurds in his self-strength, he doesn't include any of the Kurds' representatives. If there is an external actor that can play a positive role, one should benefit from it. But it is necessary that we solve the problem with our own strength, based on internal dynamics."
'We rely on natural things'
"There is one way for solution: sincerity" he says and continues: "We are sincere about this subject, we are serious. We can solve our problems ourselves based on having the ability, strength, and willpower for mutual respect, overcoming the mistakes made in the past, and knowing how to mutually forgive the consequences of those mistakes.That's what we expect. We are serious about this, we are sincere. There is only one way; to move toward the solution sincerely. Overcoming the prejudices, improving trust, and efforts to create a common future must be on the agenda."
He says that the guarantee of a common future is theirs and continues: "Everyone says we are like finger nail and tissue but they provoke the peoples against each other very much. If fights between peoples is not happening it's mostly due to our ideological approach. We never told our people that 'Turks are like this, Turks are like that' and plant seeds of animosity between peoples [Turks and Kurds]. We criticized the system." He states that there has been 'reciprocal damages' and brings up the Commission for Investigating the Truth and Reconciliation which they proposed for this purpose.
'We are ready before anyone else'
[...] "Look" says Karayılan, "we rely on things that are natural; Kurdistan's geography and its people." He says that they are a movement which constantly changes, transforms, and updates itself both organizationally and tactically and continues: "the defense work is only about five percent of the work we do".
His final words for the interview are "Approach to the road map to be announced by Öcalan will be a measure of sincerity. We say that the government should take a step and ask us to take two. If the solution is truly wanted, we are ready for it before anyone else."
Go back to Part-1 or Part-2.
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