The assessments made by Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a member of the DEM Party Imralı Delegation, who played an active role in the new peace process dubbed 'Terror-Free Turkey' by the People's Alliance formed by the AKP and MHP, have emerged before his passing.
Nefes Gazetesi columnist Aytunç Erkin shared the details of his meeting with Önder, which took place between February 27 and March 2, in his column today.
Erkin wrote that Önder stated, "During the first process, the state was inexperienced, and so was the other side. Today, there is 15 years of experience," suggesting that the current negotiations are proceeding with more maturity than in the past.
He noted that Önder stated the contacts lasting two and a half months with Qandil, northern Syria, and Europe were conducted "without propaganda" and emphasized that the discussions were "conveyed to Öcalan."
"THE PROCESS IS BEING CONDUCTED FROM ANKARA"
In response to the question of whether there was an "international third party" involved in the aforementioned discussions, Önder replied:
"There is absolutely no third party; it is Ankara-centered. On one side is the Imralı delegation, and on the other is MİT Undersecretary İbrahim Kalın and a high-level official from the AKP."
"A COMMON SENSE WAS NEEDED, AND THAT WAS BAHÇELİ"
Erkin also wrote that Önder used the expressions, "It would not have been right to confine this process to a narrow political space; when you strip the matter of demagoguery, it has the potential to prevent hundreds of Gazas. A common sense was needed, and that was Bahçeli."
News Source: 12punto
