Will Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder settle in İmralı?

The claim by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel that negotiations with the terrorist leader in İmralı have been ongoing for 1 year was denied by both AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik and the Presidential Communications Directorate.

However, Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, Chairman of HÜDA PAR, a partner in the People's Alliance, and Zübeyir Aydar, head of the KCK, the umbrella organization of the PKK, also voiced the same claim. While Yapıcıoğlu stated, "There have been negotiations between Turkish intelligence and Öcalan for about 1 year," Zübeyir Aydar said that the negotiations with Öcalan began a long time ago and that these meetings were held under the instruction of Erdoğan.

In the meantime, let us note that Yapıcıoğlu used the term "Syrian Kurdistan" for the PKK region in Syria, which Ankara refers to as a "terroristan."

Let us assume the government thinks, "It is not appropriate to engage with the head of the KCK"; then why did they not deny their partner Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu and why did they not object to "Syrian Kurdistan"?!

THE "NO PRICE HIKE, JUST A PRICE ADJUSTMENT" SITUATION

MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli, while engaging with the terrorist leader, promised that he would only benefit from the "right to hope" in exchange for disbanding the terrorist organization.

In other words, there were no other conditions or strings attached.

AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also stated, "There is no 'give-and-take' process regarding the qualities of the state and the nation," but added, "The essential thing is that all problems are solved through democracy. The solution to these problems is more democracy. It is the further increase of the operational power of politics."

Likewise, the Presidential Communications Directorate, which announced that there was no "bargaining for any constitutional/legal change with the state" in exchange for the terrorist leader's "call to lay down arms and for the organization to dissolve itself," requested that "disinformation activities carried out/to be carried out by those who want to prevent positive steps towards a terror-free Turkey should not be given credence."

In contrast, let us look at those who are "DEM-ing" the process.

Ahmet Türk declared, "There is no bargaining, there are steps that need to be taken and implemented."

Sırrı Süreyya Önder also gave his word of "honor," stating that there was no "bargaining or condition for this business," and that there were "requirements of the business" such as "technical, infrastructural, legal, and political instruments."

You know how the government and its media say, "There is no price hike, there is a price adjustment," it is just like that!..

IF THESE ARE NOT CONDITIONS, THEN WHAT ARE THEY?

We have compiled the following "requirements" voiced by Ahmet Türk, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan, DEM co-chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, and the DEM spokesperson after the terrorist leader's call.

Here is the list:

1- The establishment of a secretariat for the terrorist leader, the formation of a team for him to write and discuss with in order for the process to progress and be advanced; furthermore, ensuring he meets with journalists, academics, and political circles...

2- The creation of the necessary legal ground for the PKK congress to convene and for the terrorist leader to attend this meeting...

3- The cessation of cross-border operations...

4- Turkey acting as a mediator between the Syrian administration and the PKK...

5- Ending the trustee appointments and the HDK investigation, which greatly angered the terrorist leader...

6- The establishment of a working commission in the TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey)...

7- Making regulations for the right to hope...

8- Amending the Law on Execution and the Anti-Terror Law...

9- Primarily the release of sick prisoners...

10- Preparing an environment where the Kurdish language can develop itself for a multicultural Turkey...

11- Granting the rights and status of Kurds for the construction of a democratic republic...

Well, has anyone heard the government oppose these or the PKK's so-called ceasefire call?!

UPDATED DOLMABAHÇE

Days before the terrorist leader's so-called call, we pointed out that the course of events resembled the Dolmabahçe process and stated that in the first stage, the establishment of a secretariat in İmralı and the terrorist leader's participation in the PKK's "laying down arms" congress would be requested.

That is exactly what happened.

We also learned this from Pervin Buldan's statements.

It turns out the terrorist leader himself wanted the delegation going to İmralı to receive the call to be large!..

Meanwhile, during Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder's first visit to İmralı on December 28, the terrorist leader said of the table in the room where they held the meeting, "This table has not been destroyed. This table is still here as it is."

Let us hear from Pervin Buldan what those words mean:

"In 2015, we had held our last 4-5 meetings in the same room. Mr. Öcalan saying this expresses how determined he is approaching this process and how motivated he is for the process to move forward. Mr. Öcalan said, 'This table has not been destroyed,' and that is how we started the meeting."

It is clear that the new process is a continuation of Dolmabahçe or that people are saying, "Where did we leave off?"

Indeed, İdris Baluken, one of the actors of that process, also said that the terrorist leader's call was, in one respect, an update of the Dolmabahçe agreement.

THE TERRORIST LEADER HAD ALSO REQUESTED THIS

Since a working team is planned to be formed in İmralı, let us recall one more note from the Dolmabahçe process.

The following dialogues took place during their meeting on August 15, 2014:

Terrorist leader: First of all, this delegation needs to expand. The secretariat issue is important. We need a few people with strong secretariat capabilities. The main delegation will double. It cannot happen without infrastructure work. We need a flashlight to illuminate our path. When the end of September comes, you do not have a project or a package of principles in your hands. You need to implement the things you signed. The formation of the delegation is important in this regard. Could there be someone from Qandil? Could it be someone whose name has not been involved in any incident? Also, I want to work with a cassette, the cassette is important. We need four people here who are strong in computer use and strong in writing to edit what we write. You write this well, but we need a computer. Then, as these things you write are agreed upon, they need to be signed. The signature issue is important; it will both remain for history and, let's say, if I fall and die tomorrow, then what I agreed upon should remain as a document. Those here will leave this week, it could be from the newcomers, but since there is no female officer here and she cannot stay, a female convict cannot come. But it could also be from the outside.

S. S. Önder: My Chairman, let us come by making a reinforcement from the outside as well, let us stay here. We will work day and night, we will discuss, we will edit. Within a week or two, its framework and architecture will have emerged.

Terrorist leader: Can you stay here?

S. S. Önder: We can stay, but I think this needs to be discussed.

Terrorist leader: Okay, discuss this too. You and Pervin can come.

Official: But do not talk about this with the Prison Warden, talk to your interlocutors, do not let this word spread.

What was not possible then is possible now; will Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder settle in İmralı; what do you say?!

Müyesser YILDIZ

March 6, 2025