Remarkable message from AKP following Bahçeli's 'status for Öcalan' call

As debates continue over when legal regulations will begin within the scope of the "Turkey without terrorism" process, new assessments coming from government corridors have drawn attention. AKP officials evaluated Devlet Bahçeli's proposal for a "Peace Process and Politicization Coordination" for Abdullah Öcalan, the DEM Party's calls regarding the process, and discussions on laying down arms.

AKP sources stated that defining a "special status" for the terrorist leader Öcalan is not legally possible, while noting that communication and meeting opportunities within prison conditions could be expanded.

"THE STATE OF CONVICTION MUST BE REMOVED FOR A SPECIAL STATUS"

AKP officials emphasized that Öcalan is currently a convict serving a sentence and made the following assessment:

"He is currently a convict whose sentence is being served. To grant him a special status, that state of conviction must first end through amnesty or similar means."

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, officials stated that a different model could be considered instead, noting, "Rather than a status, a situation involving dialogue, meetings, and sharing his thoughts with different segments of society to increase his effectiveness would find more resonance."

"NOT ONLY THE IMARLI DELEGATION, BUT DIFFERENT SEGMENTS CAN ALSO MEET"

AKP sources expressed that the way could be opened for Öcalan to meet not only with the Imralı Delegation but also with academics, journalists, civil society representatives, and other various segments.

Officials assessed the situation by saying, "Let journalists go and conduct interviews, ask him directly, and let him provide his answers. It could be possible to have closer contact not just with the Imralı Delegation, but with various academics, individuals who can provide benefit to society, heads of associations working on this issue, and segments that can contribute to the process."

Stating that the capacity in which these meetings would take place is not important, AKP officials expressed that such contacts could be carried out within the penal execution system with the permission of the Ministry of Justice.

The statement noted, "There could be an environment where he can convey his ideas to all segments of society more easily. Because in the current situation, only the Imralı Delegation conveys these, and there can be some disconnects. A clearer and more comfortable environment can be provided."

"DISARMAMENT IS NOT AT THE DESIRED LEVEL"

Reminding that disarmament was defined as a "critical threshold" in the joint report prepared by the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission, AKP officials argued that the process has not met expectations at this point.

While officials used the phrase, "Disarmament is not yet at the desired level," they claimed that the process has not progressed despite the calls made by Abdullah Öcalan since February 27.

The statement included the following remarks:

"Öcalan has very assertive words regarding disarmament, both to the DEM Party and the PKK. He says, 'Abandon it in your minds as well.' Despite this, there are delays. Ultimately, he is the one who formed and led the PKK. He could be more effective in terms of liquidation and disarmament, but they are weakening this. Both Qandil is resisting and DEM is not doing what is necessary."

"THERE CAN BE NO LEGAL REGULATION WITHOUT DISARMAMENT"

AKP sources noted that the proposal to draft a separate, temporary law was included in both their own reports and the joint commission, but emphasized that disarmament must occur first for this to happen.

In response to the DEM Party's call for "disarmament and legal regulations to proceed simultaneously," AKP officials listed the steps taken so far.

Stating that a commission was established, numerous institutions and individuals were heard, the commission delegation visited Imralı, and all parties reached a consensus on a joint report, the officials argued that despite this, disarmament has not reached a sufficient level.

The officials stated, "As long as the presence of weapons continues, if organization members want to come, there are already laws in place. There are provisions for effective remorse. Let them say, 'I reject the weapon, I have left the organization.' If you lay down your arms, let's talk."

RESPONSE TO HATİMOĞULLARI'S 'MECHANISM' CALL

AKP officials also evaluated Tülay Hatimoğulları's call for the establishment of a new mechanism for the process.

Stating that the current mechanism has already been established, the officials used the following expressions:

"Following the PKK's self-dissolution, the mechanism created by the commission began to operate at the center of Parliament. The commission visited Imralı, received reports from the parties, and a joint report was prepared. All of these are part of a mechanism."

The statement also noted that while symbolic images of laying down arms occurred, it was not considered sufficient, assessing that "some caves were emptied, but a satisfactory level of disarmament was not demonstrated."

"LET THE CURRENT PROCESS BE COMPLETED FIRST"

Speaking on the demands for establishing a new mechanism, AKP sources stated that the current process must be completed first.

Officials said, "Let's complete the current one first, then we will see whether or not to establish a new mechanism. At this moment, the disarmament should have been at a satisfactory level. It has been a year since the PKK dissolved itself, but it hasn't happened."

AKP sources stated that legal regulations can only be made based on "material reality" and made the following assessment:

"Law is not built on uncertainties, predictions, and interpretations. Arms have been laid down, the organization has dissolved itself; the law defines this. The arms are still there, the organization is still there, but there is no action. How are you going to define this in the law?"