The leader of the ultra-nationalist MHP, Devlet Bahçeli, has once again referred to the Call for Peace and Democratic Society made by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27 this year, emphasizing that it is “binding” for his party. At the same time, he spoke in favor of the commission set up in the Turkish parliament to resolve the Kurdish question holding direct talks with Öcalan on the prison island of Imrali.
“If necessary, members of the ‘Commission for National Solidarity, Fraternity, and Democracy’ should travel to Imrali and hear Öcalan’ directly,” Bahçeli said at a parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday. He said the goal is to “update, expand, and deepen the February 27 declaration” in order to create a stable foundation for domestic dialogue.
SDF should also follow the call
Bahçeli emphasized that, according to his interpretation, Öcalan’s call for peace applies not only to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), but also to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their backbone, the People’s Defense Units (YPG). These have not yet joined Öcalan’s appeal, he added.
“Our understanding is that the call encompasses all components of separatist terror—including the SDF/YPG,” Bahçeli said. He therefore demanded that Öcalan explicitly call on the SDF to “comply” with the agreement concluded with Damascus in March. Among other things, the agreement provides for the integration of all civil and military institutions in northern and eastern Syria into the Syrian state administration.
No concessions or surrender
Bahçeli stated that the process must be conducted based on public order, national unity, and peace, asserting that there would be no concessions or surrender and that they would not engage in bargaining.
At the same time, Bahçeli called for a broad and realistic framework for negotiations. The commission, which is scheduled to meet for its 14th session on Wednesday, must create the conditions for legal and political reforms, he said and added: “Everyone in this country has something to say—it’s about listening and choosing the safest path for the future.”