Duran Kalkan, a member of the KCK Executive, spoke at length on Medya Haber TV, assessing the latest political developments. We publish the first part of Kalkan’s assessment.
“I respectfully greet Önder Apo [Abdullah Öcalan]. Indeed, July 9 was a historic day. Hearing Önder Apo’s voice directly once again after 26 years and 10 days, even if through a camera recording, was exciting. It stirred all of us.
We were excited too. It was inspiring and important. It was a kind of result of the struggle carried out for 26-27 years. It had various outcomes. This represented an important peak in the current period.
We always believed in Öcalan
Of course, there is a long way to go. The struggle must not stop, it must continue. But this was an important result. It was an outcome of the struggle campaign for Önder Apo’s physical freedom. Both at the level of the campaign and the struggle against the international conspiracy for 27 years, it proved once again that the struggle has yielded results. Everyone should be happy about this. Their efforts were not wasted, their labor was not in vain. It clearly showed results.
I can say this: as a movement, as a people; I and all my comrades, men and women, have always believed in Önder Apo’s physical freedom. We were never deceived by the permanence and harshness of the Imrali torture system or the exaggerated views of some. Of course, it was impressive; but it never created hopelessness or distrust in us.
Especially in this matter, our martyrs believed in Önder Apo’s physical freedom. We always believed wholeheartedly. Without this, such a struggle could not be carried out under these conditions. Neither could Önder Apo have led such resistance, nor could those outside — we, the guerrillas — have carried it out. Without such belief, so many young people would not have left everything to go to the mountains and join the guerrillas. Without such faith, no one would have entered the struggle on the path of martyrdom. There would not have been such courage and sacrifice. I want to express this once again on this occasion.
Our faith has not been in vain. Our hope and belief that we will win through struggle and that Önder Apo’s struggle will succeed has not been wasted. This was taught to us by the prison resistors. All our martyrs starting from Hakiler taught us. I can say that the real big successes will appear after this. What has happened so far can be called the initial developments. The main developments will come after.
Let me also say on this occasion: Önder Apo said, “August 2 can be celebrated as the Rose Festival.” July 9 should be perceived similarly. Our people already showed their reaction with tears of joy and the effect still continues. Everyone watches it dozens or hundreds of times repeatedly.
What’s interesting: I watched it a lot too. The more you watch it again, the more excited you get as if watching it for the first time. It creates that impression.
Communalism will develop
Content-wise, it is a continuation of the February 27 call and subsequent statements. In this sense, it should be evaluated content-wise. It is full of meaning. It clearly and concisely states what we are doing, why we are doing it, and what we should do. It reflects the strength of the Apoist Movement.
Önder Apo says, “Communalist Comradeship Movement.” This has already influenced everyone. Communalism will develop. This is widely understood from that.
On the other hand, I should also say this on this occasion: yes, these things happened in Imrali; we should not underestimate it. These are truly exciting, historically significant developments and steps. Everyone should admit: 27 years ago, 26 years ago, when the Imrali court sentenced on June 29, 1999, what did they think? Now where have we come? At that time, no one had hope or expectation.
I never forget ’99. Especially after the court gave the sentence, when we initiated a new process around the Imrali resistance, there were those who accused us of madness and blamed us. Some were disappointed. They were actually well-intentioned. “You will lose everything,” they said.
But now it is clear what made us lose, what made us win; who lost, who won. It is very clear. In this regard, it is very, very important.
But these are also facts: so many developments happened, the process is led by Önder Apo. Önder Apo’s thoughts and will are leading the process. If the process will advance and reach a result, it will definitely be with Önder Apo. Only Önder Apo can bring it to a conclusion. This 8-9 month period proved this once again.
But looking at the Imrali conditions, one cannot see this. Önder Apo created such an important process and inspired everyone so much. But the state’s approach and attitude towards the person who did this is still incomprehensible. There is no serious change. The Imrali system continues, captivity conditions persist.
Yes, that video came out. But there is no legal guarantee for all this; there is no continuity, no sufficiency. Önder Apo cannot work. If he had some opportunity and chance, he could do a hundred times more than this. But obstacles are always put before him.
The Minister of Justice… Yes, they say he will meet again with the Imrali delegation tomorrow. Should we be hopeful? But the other day he made a statement: “There is no right to hope on our agenda, we do not consider such a thing,” he said. He submitted a report to the Council of Europe.
Turkey’s legislation already doesn’t have it. It is a bit shameful to say this. It’s nothing. It simply doesn’t exist… But these things are changing. We are in a new process. This is called a process of change. The legislation will change the most. Will the legislation change or not? Instead of thinking and reflecting on that, they say, “These are not in the legislation,” and thus the matter remains there.
We will achieve the final victory through struggle
In this regard, Önder Apo’s situation and conditions continue as before. There has been no significant change in essence. This is a situation that should not be accepted.
On this matter — not to overstep but I want to say — we should not think everything is resolved just by looking at that video. Especially our patriotic people, women, youth, and friends do not think so; but I will say it anyway:
We must continue the struggle for Önder Apo’s physical freedom by putting it at the head of all our struggles, making it fundamental, and enriching it further in terms of method and way. Because only struggle brings victory. If we pay attention, we will only secure the last gain through struggle.
In his last video message, Önder Apo also considers individual freedom and social freedom together. We agree with this view. It is a philosophical approach. Önder Apo has always approached it this way.
But now, under these conditions, we want the first part of that formulation to be realized. If the first part is realized, the second part will be opened. That is: if the individual is free, society will also be free. The way must be opened for the individual’s physical freedom and steps must be taken so that social freedom can develop. Only then will it happen.
Who the individual is obvious, right? No need to say. This means Önder Apo’s physical freedom.