Subject: Flash Bulletin 15 th August
From: Internationale Initiative (info@freedom-for-ocalan.com)
Date: Tue Aug 15 2000 - 09:17:36 CDT
International Initiative
Freedom for Ocalan - Peace in Kurdistan
P.O. Box 100511, D-50445 Koeln
Telephone: +49 221 130 15 59
Fax: +49 221 139 30 71
E-Mail: info@freedom-for-ocalan.com
Url: www.freedom-for-ocalan.com
Flash Bulletin 15 th August:
1. "Active Support for the Campaign", active support by political parties and Human Rights organisations for the 'Freedom for Thought' campaign.
2. "HADEP Chairmen helped to reconcile", HADEP Chairmen helped to reconcile the Vural and Suer families which are member of Sorikan tribe and live in Mardin's Mazidagi town.
3. "Peace calls from HADEP Congresses",
The constituents and delegations asked for peace in the HADEP's Elazig, Mersin, Bingol central and Gurpinar, Baskale and Ceylanpinar district congresses.
4. "The Second August 15 Initiative for Peace in Turkey", Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) General President Abdullah Ocalan, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Kurdish people's National Revival Holiday on August 15, called for an increase in organized efforts to achieve a deep-rooted peace, brotherhood and sisterhood, and democracy in Turkey.
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1. - Ozgur Politika - "Active Support for the Campaign":
'Freedom for Thought' campaign initiated by a group of intellectuals 5 years ago, support has come from political parties and human rights organisations under the name of 'Freedom for Thought: For Everyone' for the publics participation. The FP (Virtue Party), HADEP (Peoples Democracy Party), IHD (Human Rights Association), and Mazlum-Der (Solidarity with Families of Prisoners Association) stated that they will actively support the campaign.
Translated by International Initiative, Sipan Kendal.
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2. - Kurdish Observer - "HADEP Chairmen helped to reconcile":
MARDIN
HADEP Chairmen helped to reconcile the Vural and Suer families which are member of Sorikan tribe and live in Mardin's Mazidagi town. The festivity was giving to the honor families for making peace and Viransehir Mayor Emrullah Cin, Nusaybin Mayor Mehmet Tarhan, Mazidagi Mayor Husnu Top, Kiziltepe Mayor Cihan Sincar, Kucuk Dikili Mayor from Adana, and Vural and Suer families attended.
Emrullah Cin, Mayor of Urfa's Viransehir town gave a speech during the peace dinner in the Tanriyolu village. Mayor Cin said, "Mesopotamia is a symbol of peace and brotherhood. We hope that these kinds of situations will not be repeated in this land again. Peace and brotherhood will take us forward not blood and war."
Vural and Suer families said that they respected the mayor's initiatives and such initiatives should continue in the region. Sixty sheep, one cow, 200 kilos of rice, and 10 boxes of oil used to prepare the Peace Food. The conflict started a year ago between families and one person died as a result.
3. - Kurdish Obserber - "Peace calls from HADEP Congresses":
News Center
The constituents and delegations asked for peace in the HADEP's Elazig, Mersin, Bingol central and Gurpinar, Baskale and Ceylanpinar district congresses.
Elazig
HADEP Party Executive member Cemal Coskun told the crowd during the Elazig 3rd Congress, which was held in the municipality Cultural Center that the right conditions existed in Turkey for democratical changes. Coskun said, "We will do everything in our power to help the democracy and peace to progress. The people of the region want peace, democracy and comfort." Mehmet Artan was chosen as the city chairperson in the election where he was the only candidate. Also HADEP Bingol Mayor Feyzullah Karaaslan, Mus, Bingol, Dersim city Chairpersons and Chairpersons of ODP, EMEP, IP, Education Union, and IHD in Elazig attended the congress.
Mersin
The Mersin Central Congress was held in Manolya wedding saloon. HADEP Party Executive members, Akdeniz Mayor Fazil Turk, Amed Democracy Platform spokesperson Ali Oncu, and representatives of EMEP, IP, DISK, IHD, Liman-Is, 68 Unity Foundation, Education -Union, and TUHAD-Der attended the meeting. Approximately 1000 people attended the congress and spokesperson said that strong steps need to be taken in the direction of peace and democracy. Ahmet Bal was elected as the central town chairperson.
Baskale
The Baskale town congress was held in a tent in front of party building. Ismail Goldas, Irfan Kaval and HADEP Van Women Branch Chairperson Nezahat Ergunes gave speeches. Ismail Yagizer was elected as the town chairman in the election. A group of 600 people included HADEP Van Mayor Sahabettin Ozarslaner, HADEP Van City Chairman, TYYD-DER Branch Chairperson and DSP (Democratic Left Party) Baskale town chairperson
Gurpinar
The Gurpinar town congress was held in the party building. Bostanici Mayor Muhammed Aslan gave a speech and Fevzi Melet was elected as town chairperson.
Ceylanpinar
Approximately 500 people attended the congress which was held in the Municipality Tea Garden. Urfa City Chairperson Celalettin Erkmen gave a speech in which he said, "the necessary reforms need to be done for democratization of the republic." Ahmet Dagtekin was chosen as the town chairperson.
Bingol
Izzettin Basboga was chosen during HADEP Bingol Central Town elections. Basboga was the only candidate for the position.
4. - Kurdish Observer - "The Second August 15 Initiative for Peace in Turkey":
ISATANBUL
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) General President Abdullah Ocalan, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Kurdish people's National Revival Holiday on August 15, called for an increase in organized efforts to achieve a deep-rooted peace, brotherhood and sisterhood, and democracy in Turkey.
Congratulating Kurds from Turkey on the 17th anniversary of the PKK's August 15 Initiative for freedom for this northern group of Kurds, Ocalan said, "We hereby once again recall, with gratitude and respect, all our martyrs, who lost their lives while carrying on the struggle in the face of great difficulties."
Ocalan's message read, "The process of our struggle - that developed together with the August 15 Initiative, which initiated the resistance against a great historical injustice and was the result of the search to put an end to the tradition of a wounded society with a painful past - first brought history out into the open, then corrected it, and is today at the point of being able to bring a solution." Ocalan's message called attention to the PKK's having put an end to the group's prior strategy of an often armed struggle for the freedom and defence of Kurds in Turkey, in order to expedite efforts to find a formula for peace. Seventeen years ago, the PKK had set out to create freedom for the Kurdish people, Kurdish society and for all individuals.
A splendid step towards democracy
Ocalan noted that a new era, that of the Democratic Initiative, has now begun. For the PKK, this new plan for democracy holds as much meaning as the original August 15 Initiative, and is viewed as more significant in many respects. Ocalan's statement underscored that the PKK had successfully completed a change in its strategy for achieving freedom for Kurds in Turkey, a fact that was documented at the PKK's 7th Congress. From a historical perspective, this acknowledged change in strategy is an important and splendid step.
According to Ocalan, "The PKK is currently at a very important turning point. A permanent solution to the Kurdish problem, which is regional problem, will be achieved with the implementation of the Democratic Middle East Federation project, which is at the same time a regional solution. The conditions for this solution - which is the most all-encompassing solution, the solution most appropriate to our history, and a which will develop step by step - have gradually begun to mature, even though they are not yet at the level we desire. The PKK, with the lessons it has learned through the experience of a long struggle, will be the largest and most basic force in undertaking this solution. The PKK's role will guarantee the success of this solution, and will be the guarantee for peace and democracy in the region."
A legitimate defense
is the most natural right
Ocalan's message noted that the PKK is maintaining a policy of strictly defending its members, so that a solution to the Kurdish problem may be more easily achieved. "The PKK will follow a party line of the legitimate defense [of its existence], which is the most natural of rights, until a democratic union is built in Turkey and the democratic participation of Kurds at every level [in politics and society] are accepted." The message stressed that just as this position of the PKK posed no danger to anyone, it would also speed up the peace process and a solution to the Kurdish problem in Turkey. "This position is suitable to the Kurds' strategy to unite with the [Turkish] republic on a democratic foundation, and it will be preserved until the end. The PKK does not see a solution in any other place or with any other forces, but rather in the level of determination of a people's free and democratic will. Taking strength from any external forces to establish dynasties over the Kurds cannot be conducive to a solution [to the Kurdish problem in Turkey]. The persons and parties who hold this incorrect point of view and stance are hence warned once more; I would like to make it clear that the democratic union of the Kurdish people carries a more burning importance than it ever has before. On this basis [of achieving a democratic union of the Kurdish people], with warm greetings and respect for all, I am calling on everyone to increase the numbers of organized and active struggles, in order to reach a deep-rooted peace, brotherhood and democracy in a spirit befitting the era of the Democratic Initiative, a new August 15 Initiative with just as much meaning."
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