İmralı Delegation: AKP wants to end process and start war
DİYARBAKIR (DİHA) - The Imrali Delegation said that the AKP and Turkish President Erdoğan were intent on ending the peace process and starting conflict. The statement called on the AKP to abandon its policy of seeking war and condemned the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan. It also called on peace-seeking circles to show solidarity with the HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party).
The İmralı Delegation has issued a statement in Diyarbakır after meeting KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) officials at Mt. Kandil. The İmralı Delegation released their statement at a press conference in Diyarbakır after meeting KCK officials in Kandil. HDP MP and delegation member İdris Baluken read out the statement.
‘We had a six-hour meeting’
Baluken said that the delegation was continuing its work within the scope of the process of resolution. He added that they had held a 6-hour meeting with KCK officials. "We had reached an important stage in the search for a lasting peace after two and a half years,” said Baluken, adding that the historic accord announced at the Dolmabahçe Palace was evidence of the progress made.
Baluken said that as Mr Öcalan had pointed out in his Newroz manifesto, the setting up of a monitoring body and a Truth Commission under the auspices of the Turkish Parliament would be a significant step towards the resolution of the Kurdish question and democratisation in Turkey.
'AKP and Erdoğan dealt a serious blow to peace’
Baluken said that great hopes had been raised that the Kurdish question would be resolved after more than 30 years of conflict. He added: “Just at this time President Erdoğan made his declarations that dealt a serious blow to peace. He said he thought the setting up of a monitoring body was wrong. He said he did not agree with the Dolmabahçe accord and that the ten articles had nothing to do with democracy. He also said there was no negotiating table and no parties, adding that the state did not engage in such shabby bargaining.”
Baluken said that Erdoğan had also claimed there was no such thing as the ‘Kurdish Question.’ The delegation’s statement went on to say that President Erdoğan’s discourse, policies and approach was a continuation of the century-old policy of denial and assimilation.
The statement gave examples of the government’s hostile attitude to the process of resolution, mentioning the operation in Diyadin where three people died, the mobilisation of the army in border areas and attacks on the HDP.
'AKP government has decided to isolate Öcalan'
Baluken said they had not received a positive response to their application to visit Mr Öcalan. He said: "The AKP government has decided to isolate Mr Öcalan. We vehemently condemn this unacceptable treatment of the architect of the process of resolution. To do this is to throw petrol on the fire. We call on the AKP government to immediately rescind this policy. KCK officials we spoke to yesterday are of the same opinion. They said that they had had to halt preparations for a congress on account of the stance of Erdoğan and the AKP government. We hope that the AKP government will understand these concerns and abandon its current approach.”
‘Attacks are a threat to the elections’
Baluken drew attention to the attacks on the HDP during the election campaign. He said that while every day the HDP was accused of gaining votes through armed coercion, in reality it was the HDP which was under attack. He added that these attacks would not intimidate the party. Baluken called on party workers not to be incited and to continue to use democratic methods during the election campaign.
'AKP is attempting to draw the PKK into conflict’
Baluken drew attention to continuing military operations in border regions, saying that attempts were being made to draw the PKK into clashes. “Despite this, KCK officials assured me that the guerrillas are acting with the utmost care in order not to be drawn into clashes,” Baluken added.
Baluken concluded the delegation statement by calling on all democratic forces and civil society organisations to take ownership of the situation of non-conflict and by reminding the AKP government of its responsibilities. He added that it was vital that the HDP succeed in entering parliament and emphasised the HDP’s unwavering belief in peace.
(nt)
