Bülent Arınç, who played an active role in the peace process, speaks on the call from terrorist leader Öcalan

The call for disarmament by Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, continues to occupy the agenda.

Former TBMM Speaker Bülent Arınç, one of the founders of the AKP who played an active role in the peace process, made evaluations regarding the call made by terrorist leader Öcalan.

According to the report in Independent, Arınç stated that the call was "a statement followed with interest not only by Turkey, but also by the region and the world."

CONFESSION ON THE PEACE PROCESS: THE END WAS UNFORTUNATELY NOT GOOD

Speaking at the Erbil Forum, Arınç noted the following:

"We are in almost the 40th year of the organization's establishment. This process has passed with pain, suffering, disasters, and developments that have devastated our people. I found myself in the middle of the solution process upon starting my duties as Speaker of the Parliament and government spokesperson. The end was unfortunately not good. The government made every effort it could, but the organization betrayed it."

Bülent Arınç continued his evaluations as follows:

"Personally, I was surprised by Mr. Bahçeli's statements. His party must have been surprised too. In my opinion, the expected call from Öcalan has been fulfilled. This is an instruction, but its fulfillment depends on the decision the organization will make and the steps it will take. I did not hear anything new beyond the statements they have made in the past.

Now, I have looked at this with an underlined focus. That is, only a person who founded this organization, is responsible for all its actions, and has been staying in a high-security prison in İmralı, Turkey, since 1999, could have written this.

He says that the demands we made at the time are now untimely. Their time has passed. If a democratic society emerges, which it has, and these things have been done. From now on, this issue will end with its consolidation through democracy within the Republic. The duty that falls to you, since I am the one who founded you, is to immediately convene your congress and disband the organization, and lay down your arms.

This is an order, an instruction; fulfilling it or welcoming it positively depends on the decision the organization will make and the work it will do. We will wait for this. I have not heard anything new today beyond the statements they have made individually in the past. Furthermore, other elements that influence them should also convey their positive views to them and advise them."

"THERE IS NO PREPARATION REGARDING ANY OF THESE"

When asked about "whether there will be status for Kurdish, education in the mother tongue, and a possible amnesty," Arınç gave the following response:

"Now, I am facing such a group that, out of respect for them—which is what I do everywhere—I must tell the truth. As this work began and as of today, there is no preparation regarding any of these.

In other words, Bahçeli said something. He did not express what came after that. In return, we know the President's speech that we will continue the fight against terrorism if they do not lay down their arms.

I do not think any preliminary discussions have been held regarding these rights and demands. In our meetings with the DEM members, we also say let this be fulfilled first, and then everything can be discussed in an environment of peace.

So, if you are asking whether these will happen, I can say they will not happen, or I can say there is no discussion on the table regarding this. It is probably futile to focus too much on things and expect very major developments to follow this. Let us see this first; there is a requirement, but no acceptance yet, let us see."