Support for Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's historic "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" continues. After the call, the PKK Executive Committee declared a ceasefire in a statement. The public is also waiting for the government and the state to take steps in response to the call. In this context, the citizens we spoke to in Wan called on the government and the state to take concrete steps. 

 

Haydar Örgü stated that they have seen the process positively since the first day and said, "The message given by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan does not only concern the Kurdish people. At the same time, the peoples of Turkey, the Middle East and the world welcomed this message. If peace comes, it will have positive effects on Kurdistan in four parts and the entire Middle East region. This will be an important note in history. Now it is the state's turn to take steps and it must respond to Mr Öcalan's message. The PKK has also declared a ceasefire. Qandil is also fulfilling Mr Ocalan's statements. At the same time, Bahçeli also welcomed Mr Öcalan's message." 

 

Noting that peace should be bilateral, Örgü said, "The parties take mutual steps for peace. Öcalan has taken a step, now it is their turn. Kurdish and Turkish people should see themselves responsible for a lasting peace. In order to ensure peace, the points pointed out by Mr Öcalan must be fulfilled. Without these, it is not possible for the process to move forward."

 

‘STATE MUST BE CLEAR LIKE ÖCALAN’

 

Rıdvan Orhan said, "After Mr Öcalan's message, the PKK declared a ceasefire. But will the state take steps against this? We have concerns in this direction. We want neither soldiers, guerrillas nor police officers to die. We want peace to be established. Can there be anything more beautiful than this? If you want to ensure peace, you should put forward something as clear as Abdullah Öcalan. What have you put forward for peace so far? It is good to find a solution, but how will you do it? Especially if the President wants to make peace, he has to take steps like Abdullah Öcalan and the PKK. Without peace, no one can end a 40-year process in one day. Peace is bilateral and there must be mutual agreements between the state and the PKK. Erdoğan, Bahçeli and the CHP must fulfil the requirements for peace, just like Abdullah Öcalan. Turks, Laz, Arabs and Kurds want peace. You should solve this problem in the Parliament." 

 

‘EVERYONE SHOULD EMBRACE PEACE’

 

Cemil Gören stated that the message from Abdullah Öcalan would bring peace to the country and said that everyone should embrace peace. Gören said, "The mothers of soldiers and guerrillas who lost their lives in this process should hold hands. In response to this process, the state should release all political prisoners, especially ill prisoners. No more funerals of prisoners should come out of prison. The trustee politics must be abandoned. The language and status of Kurds must be recognised." 

 

Mehmet Emin Ankak said, "We want peace to come to Turkey. For this, the state must also take steps. Peace and democracy must be ensured. Abdullah Öcalan's message is important and there is nothing wrong with it. We hope that the state will take steps in response to this and good things will happen.’

 

Stating that they find the content of the call from İmralı positive, Bedrettin Canlı said, "They are being honest about this. But the government is not being honest. Their statements do not match each other in the morning and evening. First of all, they should keep their promises. Previously, this government came to Wan and said ‘There is a Kurdish issue’. Then we know that it denied this statement. Therefore, we have concerns. All I want for a solution is for the government to honour its previous statement that ‘there is a Kurdish issue’."

 

Necdet Cevdet underlined that the idea of war must end and said that they are in favour of the decisions taken by the Kurdish movement. 

 

MA / Mehmet Güleş