Global reactions to terrorist leader Öcalan's statement: 'The PKK may refuse to lay down arms'
Following PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's call for the organization to lay down its arms and dissolve itself, various reactions have emerged from the international community. While the European Parliament and Germany evaluated the call as a positive step, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani emphasized that the PKK must take action. The US administration stated that it is closely monitoring the developments and that this could help bring peace to the region. The world press carried the statement in their headlines, with reports including analyses on how the process might proceed.
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The world press shared comments that the PKK might respond negatively to the call for disarmament by terrorist ringleader Abdullah Öcalan. Following the announcement of Öcalan's message by a DEM Party delegation at a meeting held in Istanbul, statements came from many countries, primarily the European Parliament, Germany, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and the US.
European Union officials and some Western countries evaluated this step as a positive development. KRG President Nechirvan Barzani invited the PKK to respond to Öcalan's call, while the US administration stated that they are following the process carefully. On the other hand, the world media also devoted extensive coverage to Öcalan's call, opening a debate on what kind of impact this development would have on Turkish and regional politics.
SUPPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
European Parliament (EP) Turkey Rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor described Öcalan's statement as a 'historic step.' Amor stated, ''This is an important starting point for the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey.''
FIRST REACTION FROM GERMANY
German Green Party MP Max Lucks addressed the call from the perspective of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In an article published on his website, Lucks assessed that, ''The disarmament call by PKK founder Öcalan could be a turning point in the Turkish-Kurdish peace process.''
Lucks stated that the announcement could also have a positive reflection on Germany-Turkey relations.
KRG PRESIDENT BARZANI: 'PKK MUST RESPOND'
In his assessment regarding Öcalan's statement, Barzani stated that the PKK must respond to this call. Barzani said, 'Better results can be achieved through peaceful and democratic struggle instead of violence and weapons.'
Emphasizing that the process should proceed with the participation of all parties, Barzani expressed that they, as the KRG, support the peace process and are ready to do their part in this regard.
US: 'WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS'
White House National Security Council Spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that the US is watching the call carefully. Hughes said, 'This is an important development and we hope it will help address the concerns of our Turkish allies regarding our anti-ISIS partners.' In his statement, he also emphasized that they believe this step has the potential to bring peace to the region.
HOW DID THE WORLD PRESS SEE IT?
Öcalan's statement found wide coverage in the world media. CNN emphasized that the statement has the potential to end the conflict that has been ongoing for decades between Turkey and the PKK. While Bloomberg described this development as a 'major breakthrough,' Reuters reported that Öcalan said the organization should dissolve itself.
According to a report by Euronews, elements of the PKK located in Syria may reject Öcalan's call to lay down arms. Pointing out that the terrorist organization has formed a 'complex' structure in different countries, Euronews reported that the PKK may no longer view Öcalan as a 'leader' in the same way as before.
According to the analysis in the report, PKK ringleaders could 'interpret' Öcalan's call in different ways and delay the decision to lay down arms or shelve it entirely.
DW reported that Öcalan called for a new 'era of peace' and a 'democratic society.'
US-based CNN stated that Öcalan's call could contribute to the end of the years-long conflict. Bloomberg argued that this development could mean a significant transformation in the region.
The Guardian interpreted Öcalan's call as the 'beginning of a fragile peace,' while Middle East Eye wrote that this development is seen by officials in Ankara as linked to rising tensions in the region.
In its report, The Middle East Eye pointed out that the political risks in this process are being shouldered by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ally Devlet Bahçeli.
Reuters reported that Öcalan's letter included the phrase 'I am making a call for weapons to be laid down.' The New York Times stated that the call could resonate internationally but that the subsequent process is uncertain.
Yedioth Ahronoth questioned whether the call would be accepted by the PKK, while Alarabiya stated that this development could affect political and security balances in Syria and Iraq.