İsmail Saymaz reveals the truth about Öcalan that the AKP has been hiding: 'He didn't make this call for free'
Journalist İsmail Saymaz evaluated the PKK's response to Öcalan's call to lay down arms. Stating that the organization has put forward specific demands despite declaring a ceasefire, Saymaz said, "Öcalan did not do this for free."
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Participating in the Haberler program hosted by Gülşah Ekinci on Halk TV, Halktv.com.tr columnist İsmail Saymaz analyzed the terrorist organization PKK's response to Abdullah Öcalan's call to lay down arms.
''THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS MEDIA WANT TO HIDE THIS''
Saymaz argued that the government and media outlets close to it are trying to present Öcalan's call to lay down arms as an unconditional step. However, according to Saymaz, Öcalan made this call in exchange for specific demands.
Stating that clues to these demands are also present in the statements of Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Saymaz said, "Even if it is not directly included in Öcalan's call, there is a demand for the provision of democratic and legal guarantees."
WHAT ARE THE PKK'S CONDITIONS?
Relaying his conversation with DEM Party Co-Vice Chair Tayip Temel, Saymaz listed the three main demands put forward by the PKK to lay down arms:
The Situation of Those in Prison: Sentence reductions for Öcalan and other PKK prisoners.
The Situation of Those in the Mountains: Guaranteeing the return of PKK members to civilian life.
Kurdish Identity and Political Rights: Guaranteeing Kurdish identity and political organization, and ending the practice of appointing trustees.
''ÖCALAN NEEDS TO ATTEND THE CONGRESS''
Saymaz stated that despite the PKK declaring a ceasefire, it has made it a condition for Öcalan to physically or effectively attend the organization's congress. "Where will the PKK congress be held? Of course, in Qandil. In other words, Öcalan either needs to go there or connect directly," he said.
''HE DIDN'T DO IT FOR FREE''
Finally, noting that the government is trying to portray Öcalan's call to lay down arms as a step without conditions, but that the reality is not so, Saymaz stated the following:
"Öcalan made the call for the organization to be dissolved, but he did not do this for free. It does not seem possible for the PKK to lay down its arms without democratic politics and legal guarantees being provided."