'Öcalan status' tension in the People's Alliance: Behind-the-scenes talk of a new formula at the Palace
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's call for a "status" for terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan has sparked new debates on the political agenda. While it is stated that the AKP is keeping its distance from the "special status" option, there is talk in Ankara's corridors that a model of "controlled contact and limited communication" on the Imralı line is being evaluated.
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Evaluations regarding the role of terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan in the process have turned into a new topic of debate within the People's Alliance. The "status" call, voiced for the second time by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, and the "chief negotiator" expressions coming from the DEM Party front have led to notable assessments in government corridors.
In information previously reflected in Ankara's corridors, it was claimed that Bahçeli's proposal for a "peace process and politicization coordinator" for Öcalan had caused discomfort within the AKP. It was stated that the view that rhetoric that could create a perception in the public that "Öcalan is being given a new role" should be avoided was expressed within the party management.
“SPECIAL STATUS” MESSAGE FROM THE AKP
AKP officials, recalling that "laying down arms" was defined as the "critical threshold" in the joint report of the resolution commission established in Parliament, stated that the organization has not yet laid down its arms at the expected level.
According to the behind-the-scenes information reported by Cumhuriyet, government sources argued that despite the calls made by Öcalan, the Qandil wing has not taken a step back, and assessed that the DEM Party has also "not assumed the expected role" in the process.
According to the behind-the-scenes information, the emphasis on "simultaneous legal regulation" that has recently come from the DEM Party has also been one of the topics causing discomfort within the AKP.
“CONTROLLED CONTACT” FORMULA IN PALACE CORRIDORS
According to what is being discussed in Ankara's corridors, the government is focusing on a more controlled communication model to be carried out through administrative methods instead of an explicit "status regulation" that could create a reaction in the public.
In this context, it is claimed that a mechanism is being evaluated in which Abdullah Öcalan could establish limited contact not only with the Imralı delegation but also with journalists, academics, some civil society representatives, and different segments of society.
It is stated that although AKP sources highlight the message that "there will be no special status," not completely closing the door on the option of "more meetings and message traffic" has led to interpretations of a "search for a new formula" in Ankara.
CLAIM OF A MODEL UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
According to the claims discussed in the corridors, government circles are evaluating the "controlled contact" model, which will proceed under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice, as a more manageable option instead of a new regulation that could create controversy from a legal perspective.
It is stated that the focus in the model in question is on expanding communication channels but keeping this within certain limits.
EMPHASIS ON “LAYING DOWN ARMS FIRST”
AKP staff, on the other hand, argue that the fundamental condition in the process has not changed. Party sources state that no legal regulation will be made unless the organization lays down its arms with all its elements.
It is reported that the view that "a new phase will not be entered until the laying down of arms reaches a satisfactory level" is coming to the fore on the government front.