She explains the behind-the-scenes of the meeting with Öcalan for the first time: 'We can draw lessons'

Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokesperson and DEM Party Erzurum MP Meral Danış Beştaş appeared on the Rota program on Halk TV. Responding to questions regarding the meeting between Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Abdullah Öcalan, who is held in the İmralı F-Type Prison, Beştaş said, "I believe the People's Alliance has reached a consensus among themselves."

Highlights from Beştaş's remarks are as follows:

"First of all, let me state this. A statement was released yesterday following the meeting. If that statement is read carefully, I want to express that it contains many details, from what was discussed and the issues debated, to the evolution of the brotherhood of the Kurdish and Turkish peoples toward democracy. Ultimately, it was decided that it would not be appropriate to share the entirety of the 3-hour meeting with the public at this stage. A meeting took place that we hope will evolve into a resolution process. For many years, we have taken our place in Turkish politics by stating that the Kurdish issue must be resolved through democratic and political methods and that it requires dialogue and negotiation. We have stated that isolation is unlawful and constitutes torture. This is not just a wish; we have experienced what could change between 2013 and 2015. It may have ended negatively, but we can draw lessons."

When asked by journalist Kürşad Oğuz how the statement was received within the People's Alliance, Beştaş used the following expressions:

"The statement text itself and the events that occurred after October 1 must be considered as a whole. There is a reference to Bahçeli and Öcalan in this text. Öcalan would not mention Mr. Bahçeli and Erdoğan on his own, with a unilateral view. At the very least, I think there is a mutual consensus. I can say that there is a positive approach to this. In the initial period, it was debated whether Bahçeli's call was made without Erdoğan's knowledge, but I am of the opinion that the People's Alliance would not undertake such an initiative regarding Turkey's most important issue without reaching such a consensus. I did not see a negative situation in the ruling bloc; I can convey my own view this way."

"I do not agree with the assessments that the text is empty or that it does not offer a roadmap. On the contrary, we have been experiencing a process since yesterday from which much can be discussed and conclusions drawn from the 7-point text. First and foremost, there is the issue of interlocutorship. Öcalan is on İmralı Island. Öcalan was the actor we pointed to for a solution. We are talking about a text in which these three names appear. For one thing, we conclude that the meetings will continue. This means it is highly likely to evolve into a process. That is where the great hope lies. We all accept that there is a need for democratic transformation in Turkey. Currently, Turkey is a country without a constitution. Constitutional Court rulings are not recognized. On the other hand, there is a very strong emphasis on the togetherness of the Turkish and Kurdish peoples. It covers not only Turkey but also Syria. Depending on how we read this content, there is a lot of information to be seen. I think a strong step has been taken for the initiation of such a process."

WILL THEY SUPPORT ERDOĞAN?

DEM Party MP Beştaş also responded to allegations regarding support for a new constitution and President Erdoğan's candidacy for a third term.

Before every election period, there is endless debate about whether the Kurds have reached or will reach an agreement with the AK Party. Could such a thing happen? We have a closure case against the HDP. We know well how to distinguish between negotiation and struggle. We are those who have fallen from the roof. We do not need experience in this regard. Unfortunately, we have been tested by such major events. We defend negotiation under all circumstances, but we do not abandon the political struggle. We naturally find it positive that Erdoğan and Bahçeli view this process positively. We argue that Özel, Dervişoğlu, and Erbakan should also approach this process with the same sensitivity on behalf of their parties. Is it possible to conclude that we will form an alliance with all these parties? This conclusion should never be drawn from our meeting with the ruling power as an interlocutor.