Öcalan Denies Statements Attributed to Him, Warns of Attempts to Derail Peace Process
“These are clear indications that the process is moving forward with firm steps,” Öcalan said, adding that a “critical stage” had been reached.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Imprisoned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan has rejected statements, views, documents and meeting notes attributed to him in the media and on social media, describing them as attempts to derail the ongoing peace process.
Öcalan issued the statement through the İmralı Delegation of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), in response to recently published reports and purported meeting notes attributed to him.
In the statement, Öcalan said the political will demonstrated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, along with his call to end the PKK’s armed struggle, had helped move the process forward.
He also pointed to political parties’ support for enacting the National Solidarity and Strengthening Social Cohesion Law, under which a parliamentary commission held its first meeting on Monday.
“These are clear indications that the process is moving forward with firm steps,” Öcalan said, adding that a “critical stage” had been reached.
He accused circles seeking to derail the process of mounting a “conspiracy” against him.
“The statements, views, names, documents, and references attributed to me and reported in the press and social media are untrue,” Öcalan said. He described the reports as “provocative actions orchestrated by opponents of the process.”
Öcalan said he would continue efforts aimed at building social peace and a framework of fraternity, calling on all segments of society to approach the process with “a spirit of fraternity, common sense and awareness.”
His statement comes as Turkey’s efforts to advance a new peace and disarmament process involving the PKK enter a critical phase following his call for the group to end its armed struggle.