Pervin Buldan, a member of the İmralı delegation that recently visited imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, gave her assessment of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) congress on the party’s dissolution and disarmament process. Speaking on Öcalan’s involvement in the congress, Buldan was vague, saying that Öcalan had probably contributed to the congress through “technical communication”. She added that Turkish President Erdoğan was also expected to make a statement.
Describing the congress as “historic”, Buldan stressed that the PKK’s announcement that it held a congress is “auspicious” for Turkey.
“From now on, the cornerstones of peace will be laid. Historical steps will be taken. Most probably, expectations will be fulfilled. Therefore, it is necessary to attach historical importance to this. May it be auspicious for all of us.”
Answering the question whether Öcalan directly participated in the congress, Buldan said that there probably was “a technical communication”, but that she did not want “to go into too much detail, because we have a long way to go.”
“I think that the statements we will make should be made carefully. I think that they should not harm the process. Therefore, until this process is completely successful, we have to be careful when we make our words,” Buldan highlighted.
Buldan also remembered Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who passed away on 3 May, and said: “I wish he had seen this. If only he had witnessed these days. He had given lots of effort. I am at his condolence in Adıyaman right now. We honour his soul once again. We dedicate it to our President Sırrı.”
