National Defense Minister Güler's reaction to 'dissolution, not ceasefire' call: 'PKK and its extensions'

National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler made a statement following the call by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan for the organization to lay down its arms and dissolve.

Stating that "issues such as a ceasefire should not be brought to the agenda," Güler said, "The PKK and all its extensions operating under different names must take a decision to dissolve and must surrender their weapons immediately and unconditionally.

No statement or action to the contrary has or will have any validity. Issues such as a ceasefire should not be brought to the agenda; such a thing is never out of the question," he said.

WHAT HAPPENED?

PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who was called upon by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli to "end terrorist acts and dissolve," made the long-awaited call, announcing that the PKK should dissolve itself and all groups should lay down their arms. Öcalan's call included the statement, "I am making this call to lay down arms in this climate created by the call made by Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, the will put forward by the President, and the positive approaches of other political parties toward the aforementioned call, and I am assuming the historical responsibility of this call." Öcalan said, "Convene your congress and take a decision for integration with the state and society." 

In addition to Öcalan's call for "Peace and Democratic Society," a note he sent was also read, stating, "While presenting this perspective, undoubtedly, in practice, the laying down of arms and the dissolution of the PKK require the recognition of democratic politics and the legal dimension." 

Following Öcalan's statement that the PKK should dissolve itself and all groups should lay down their arms, the PKK Executive Committee stated that they agreed with Öcalan's call and would fulfill its requirements. The committee also demanded the release of Abdullah Öcalan.

The PKK Executive Committee stated that they had declared a ceasefire effective from March 1, emphasizing that no armed force would take action unless there was an attack.

News Source: 12punto