Murat Karayılan, a member of the executive committee of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), spoke to Özgür Politika about recent political discussions in Turkey, particularly the prospects for a new peace process on the Kurdish question. Karayılan reiterated the Kurdish movement’s support for a democratic solution, but firmly rejected what he called the “special war tactics” of the Turkish state.
Karayılan highlighted the changes in the political climate compared to a decade ago, saying “the conditions of ten years ago have changed; the old methods will not be repeated”. He warned against underestimating the Kurdish movement’s position, adding, “No one should miscalculate the situation. The Kurdish side is not saying ‘no’, but we won’t stumble over the same stone twice”.
Central to Karayılan’s message was the role of Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned Kurdish leader. He stressed that Öcalan’s involvement was essential to any meaningful solution: “A solution that does not focus on Öcalan’s freedom is void.” He made it clear that Öcalan must play a central role in any peace negotiations if progress is to be made.
Responding to recent statements by Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Karayılan noted that Bahçeli’s proposal for Öcalan to address parliament was “unacceptable” but nevertheless reflected a recognition of Öcalan’s key role in resolving the Kurdish issue. Karayılan stressed that superficial attempts at dialogue without a genuine intention for peace would not lead to real progress and called on the state to stop using delaying tactics.
Karayılan also criticised Turkey’s ongoing military operations against the PKK, stressing that the Turkish state has failed to achieve its goals in Kurdish areas such as Garê and Kandil. “They have not succeeded in dismantling our command centres or eliminating us in the north,” he said. He added that the Turkish government’s strategy to weaken the Kurdish movement has proved ineffective, as the PKK still holds strategic positions.
He concluded by calling for unity between Kurdish and leftist forces and reiterated the PKK’s determination to resist military pressure. “We are open to a real democratic solution, but we will not give in to special war tactics. The Kurdish freedom guerrilla will continue to resist and fight to win,” Karayılan said.
