Subject: news!!!
From: Intern. Initiative Freiheit für A. Öcalan / Frieden in in Kurdistan (info@freedom-for-ocalan.com)
Date: Wed Jan 19 2000 - 05:53:48 CST
I N T E R N A T I O N A L I N I T I A T I V E
Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan - Peace in Kurdistan
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19.01.2000
FLASH BULLETIN FROM INTERNATIONAL INITIAVE
Contents:
1. "I worked for peace", statement by PKK President Mr. Abdullah Ocalan.
2. " Press release 16 January 2000" and "PKK Central Committee pledges
support", Abdullah Ocalan’s Public Statement and the PKK Central
Committe support statement.
3. “Turkey is officially a journalist murderer”, ECHR decision on the
deaths of journalists and RA representive.
4. "Fazilet the hard facilitator of war", Statement by Fazilet President
Mr. Recai Kutan.
5. "Turkey is at a historical turning point", Statement by Mr. Yilmaz in
Group meeting of ANAP in Turkish Grand National Assembly.
6. "If we are europeans we are going wait", Statement by Turkish
Republic President Mr. Demirel.
1. - Kurdish Observer / Asrinhukukbürosu - Abdullah Ocalan: "I worked
for peace"
In his response to Turkish Prime Minister Ecevit's recent statements,
Ocalan said that so far he and all his talks aimed at achieving social
peace. Ocalan continued,
"At Imrali, I am not playing politics. Rather, I am arduously struggling
for survival, and I am doing it for peace". Ocalan, who has been ordered
to cease in making statements from prison by the Turkish government,
said that all his statements were targeting social peace. PKK leader
Abdullah Ocalan, in response to the last decision handed down at the
leaders' summit to prevent him from making any statement, said he was
struggling for survival under difficult conditions and called the
comments targeting him "unfair". His lawyers also made a statement
saying, "We have done our duty as lawyers and we will keep doing so."
His lawyers Dogan Erbas, Irfan Dundar, and Filiz Kostak went to Gemlik
for their weekly meeting with their client. After being subjected to
screenings at the gendarmarie station in Gemlik, they were taken to the
island where Ocalan is being kept. Upon their return the lawyers
answered our questions regarding the last decision taken at the summit,
stating, "Ocalan commented about recent statements of Ecevit which also
appeared in the press". In his comments, Ecevit said, "Ocalan is doing
politics
from the prison, and we are not going to allow him making Imrali a
political base". Lawyers explained Ocalan's response as follows: "It is
not true that I am making
Imrali a political base. Whatever I said was meant to help achieve
social peace. I never by any means made any comment to encourage the
hatred in society. I am trying to survive under the hardest conditions
in this island and I am doing it for peace. Hence I find all the
comments directed at me to be unfair.".
"We are doing our duties as lawyers" Lawyers also commented about recent
statements about themselves: "During the last 11 months, most
importantly with the responsibility of being a human, we carried out our
duties and informed the public about statements of Ocalan regarding
building the social peace in this country. Thisis what all we did. We
think this is not a crime. If this was a crime, let the prosecutors do
their jobs. We can not accept any unfair comment. We did what we were
supposed to do and we will continue doing it. We know the rules of our
profession."
2. - Komite du Kurdistan / Kurdish Observer - Abdullah Ocalan's Public
Statement
Press release 16 January 2000
The following are translations of the latest statements of PKK leader
Abdullah Ocalan and the PKK Centyral Committee respectively, commenting
on the Turkish ruling coalition's decision to comply with the EHRC's
interim measures concerning the Ocalan execution file.
Abdullah Ocalan's Public Statement The Wednesday, January 12 Summit of
Leaders in Turkey was important. It was described as historic. I hope
peace and democracy also will arrive as a consequence of this [Summit].
Mostly, I was afraid that with a wrong decision the country's future
would be lost. I would not have been the only
loser of such a [wrong turn]. The state and society would have been the
losers, too. In fact, everyone would have been a loser. It is said that
ifthey execute me, the EU candidacy, the economy and peace will all go
down. It is true that these all depend on my staying alive. I am a
synthesis of values, not just a person. I represent democracy. [In
Turkey], some tasks have been neglected for too long. Democracy is one
of them and it must befreed [from its current shackles]. These are the
realities displayed by the dialectics of history. This point will become
clearer in the coming years.
I am in anguish for not being understood correctly or for failing to
underline these points most emphatically. Nevertheless, at the moment,
there is some -but limited- understanding of the points that I make. In
our day and time, the strongest state, is the one that has successfully
completed its democratization. Development, peace, stability and
contentment all depend on democracy. As much as bread and air, our
society needs democracy. Let us be humble. Let us display a change of
heart and mentality. We must put our hearts and minds to work. Let's
bring about a concentration of labour, let's work hard. Everyone will
win if we do so. The Summit is just a beginning in this regard. This
opportunity should not
be wasted. What will happen hereafter? No one should misinterpret the
summit decision. One should evaluate the post Summit period correctly
and reach the correct conclusions. If the government and state officials
adopt a correct attitude, we shall not take any wrong steps. [We] will
not misuse this [decision]. To the contrary, we shall conduct ourselves
as the most sensitive side deserving and desirous of peace and
democracy. Now that this summit is over, the most important task
awaiting Turkey and needed is carrying out the reforms that will also
fulfill the requirements of EU membership. The summit decision is the
right step toward undertaking these reforms. Everyone should positively
contribute to this [reform plan]. To realize this [plan], domestically,
we need peace and stability. The PKK will respond positively and
contribute to efforts [projects] geared to such ends. The single
greatest goal of Turkey -as a country and as a state- can be
accomplished right now by establishing and improving the rule of
democracy which will conquer the 21st century. We will deepen and
develop these points. Both the content and the form of democracy should
be improved. I am not a separatist. I have distanced myself from the
historical mistake committed at that time. Now I am coming to the fold
of union based on freedom. That is what I am resisting here for, right
now. We are loyal and respectful to the unity of the country and the
unitary nature of the state, however, we will fill the content of both
with democracy. We believe that there is an urgent need for legal
reforms to achieve a comprehensive peace.
For this there steps which needs to be taken. For internan peace there
is a need for general amnesty. I find it important that preparations for
this in the parliament and the government be made. I invite everyone to
be sensitive and do his/her share. Especially political parties should
overcome narrow party interests and stop being provocative. They should
conduct their affairs in the light of the
vital interests of the whole country. This is the short cut to unity and
stability in Turkey. We value taking steps that will contribute to
stability. The people, too, will be receptive to this. And in turn, we
expect that everyone shall assess this opportunity correctly. From now
on, what is important is to pursue taking steps -in ever deepening ways-
that are essential.
If some forces succeed in destroying this, clashes will resume, leading
to negative developments. Needles to say, this is destructive for the
society and for the future. We must work hard to prevent this
likelihood. We have evere problems. They come from the depths of
history. We shall be sensitive in this regard, however, so shall
everyone else. Because everyone has suffered. Everyone should retain
his/her pain in his/her chest and heal it there. We should not be
selfish, blind and unjust. We have to learn to be constructive. We have
to trust and value each other. However, the healingmust be done all
together. We have to see our differences as being the strength of
democracy. We have no doubt and believe that this is the formula for
success. Friends should do what is required of them at this stage. If
they, too, have a request from us, we shall respond positively. Turkey's
vital interests lie in bringing out the enlightenment and freedom
aspects. One should adopt these as the fundamentals. I hope decisions
reached at the summit are in line with the enlightenment aspect. Because
the real issue at stake is to empower each other. We should solve each
other's problem and accept the civilized, contemporary solution when
doing so. I call on everyone to do what they can [to realize the above]
and greet them in this regard. (January 14, 2000)
Through his lawyers Ahmet Avsar, Aysel Tugluk, Hatice Korkut and Irfan
Dundar.
PKK Central Committee pledges support
The PKK Central Committee said in a statement issued on Friday that the
decision of the coalition parties' leaders to keep PKK President
Abdullah Ocalan's file at the Prime Ministry and comply with the
measures decreed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), was a
"decision of the century" for Turkish and Kurdish people.
The statement said that the conclusion of leaders meeting comforted and
created more hope for peace among the two peoples of Turkey. The
statement continued by saying that the decision opened the way for a
Democratic Republic. "This decision will solve Turkey's most difficult
issue. It will create a Democratic Turkey which everybody will be proud
to be part of and help to make the country safer and create a more open
society. We believe this historic decision has comforted and created
more hope for peace." The Central Committee said that the Turkish
coalition government's decision, which took hours to decide, was as
important as the Amasya Tamimi declaration, which played a key role in
the liberation and foundation of the
Republic of Turkey and that it was a new beginning. The statement said
that the PKK supported the decision without any hindthoughts. The
statement, "The internal and external forces which are trying to prevent
Turkey from going forward need to be stopped. Then, it will be seen that
everybody is proud to be part of Turkey and Turkey is a strong country
in the region and the world."
Commenting on the clause that the government would immediately start the
execution process if the PKK and its supporters were to "use the
decision against the highest interests of Turkey", the Central Committee
said that the main aim of the PKK was to help Turkey in progressing on
the path to a Democratic Republic. The statement continued, "Turkish
leaders with common sense, democratic forces and nationalists can be
sure that our party will not tolerate any force to weaken Turkey weak or
harm its interests. Kurdish people will help to build a Democratic
Republic like they did during Turkey's liberation struggle. Our party
and people will cooperate with the democratic forces of Turkey."
Ocalan worked hard to throw light on the international conspiracy
against Turkey. PKK Central Committee said, "This plot would have
thronged Turkish and Kurdish people into chaos. Our party chairman
Abdullah Ocalan saw the plot and worked hard to explainit to the people
of Turkey. Our party chairman's behavior took into account the interests
of both Turkish and Kurdish people. Thus, he helped Turkey to make such
a courageous decision. Turkish government took into consideration our
chairman's opening and decided to take steps to resolve the issue. The
century's decision from coalition party leaders will put Turkey onto the
right track for peace and democracy."
"Free and healthy environments need to be created for Ocalan so he can
work for a Democratic Turkey and solving the Kurdish issue in a peaceful
way. The first step in this direction should be to abolish death
penalty." The PKK Central Committee warned those who make short term
policies on death sentence and prevent Turkey to take steps in a new
direction. "The internal and external forces who try to prevent Turkey
from moving in a democratic direction, and try to execute our party
chairman can not be Turkey's friends. Whether these circles are internal
or external, they are trying to prevent a Democratic Turkey."
3. Ozgur Politika - “Turkey is officially a journalist murderer”
European Court of Human Rights yesterday announced the final
decision of the trial of the unknown murder of Ozgur Gundem Urfa
representitive Kemal Kilic and
Human Rights Association Administrator Hasan Kaya. The court pronounced
Turkey guilty for not executing the Human Rights Agreement of
gaurrentying of life 2,
justice right of sentencing 6, freedom of expression 10, illegality of
torture 13 and against differentiating 14 th articles.
4. - Ozgur Politika - "Fazilet the hard facilitator of war"
Fazilet Party (FP) President Recai Kutan insists on taking the PKK
President Abdullah Ocalan death sentence file to parliament, he vowes
that they were net about carrying out the death sentence from the
beginning of his capture.
FP who chose to remain silent during the aftermath of the abduction of
the PKK President Mr. Abdullah Ocalan states that the DSP, ANAP and MHP
have made a 180 degree turn since the EU candidance came into the
spotlight.
Mr. Recai Kutan answered journalist questions on the carrying out of
death sentence, by replying that in discussion the death sentence and
the execution of it
should be taken separately. Also that he was against the abolishment of
the death sentence and that Turkey should abide by the given criteria of
the EU which will
rapidly enforce Turkey to democratisation.
5. - TRT / Ozgur Politika - "Turkey is at a historical turning point"
The President of ANAP (Motherland Party) Mesut Yilmaz announced that the
discussion subject should not be in the next period the awaitening of
the death penalty but which step to take on the Kurdish Question and
other principle matters. In a discussion in the ANAP Turkish Grand
National Assembly group meeting Mr. Yilmaz in his speech stated that
Turkey was in a transition and “definetly there is going to be
sacrifices made in a full transition”.
Mesut Yilmaz made attention to difficulty that could arise in the coming
period in coalition and “a request to all friends. Do not make a flea
into a camel. Turkey
has enough evil forces. Their are enough ditches in front of Turkey. The
duty for us is that others who created ‘camels’ to hurdel ditches”.
Yilmaz stated that the biggest danger for Turkey is to break off without
binding with the EU, there is a danger that Turkey will again shut
itself out from the world if this happened.
6. - SABAH / Ozgur Politika - "If we are europeans we are going wait"
The Turkish Republic President Mr. Suleyman Demirel in relation to the
PKK President Mr. Abdullah Ocalan death sentence decision stated that
“what is a
necessity to a Lawful Government will be the accomplished of the law
letter by letter”. In relation to the statement of Kirkkale Martyrs
Family Association President Mehmet Gencer that “the government is
giving a pride prize” to Mr. Ocalan with the death sentence file to
remain with the Republic President. Mr. Demirel, Demirel replied by “the
thing that has been done today is not anyones pardon. This is a Lawful
Government...Therefore it is not a possiblity that the file will arrive
in the Grand Assembly”. He also added that “ the execution of the
decision is for the better or not” is a poltical matter.
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