Tuncer Bakırhan: 'The clock is now set for Kurdish peace and a democratic Turkey'

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan took the podium at his party's 3rd Ordinary Istanbul Congress. Speaking about the process being conducted with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Bakırhan said, "After Öcalan makes his call, democracy and freedoms will be discussed in Turkey. It will become clear who is on which side. It will emerge who is lying and who truly believes. The clock is now set for Kurdish peace and a democratic Turkey." 

Criticizing the appointment of trustees to municipalities, Bakırhan commented, "They made a 'city consensus' for a Turkish and Kurdish alliance, and that is their crime. If they have worked for Turks, Kurds, and all peoples and faiths to live together, one should bow with respect before them, not file lawsuits." 

Regarding the claims that "Abdullah Öcalan will make a call," Bakırhan spoke as follows: 

'THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FEAR PEACE'

"Öcalan will make a historic call from İmralı Prison. This historic call will present a roadmap for a democratic Turkey, ranging from the economy to justice, from democracy to an independent judiciary, to Kurds speaking their own language, and to a place where youth and women are not murdered. We attach importance to this historic call, and we state that we will defend and support this historic call. With Öcalan's call, the 'survival and security' narrative they hide behind will also disappear.

After Öcalan makes his call, democracy and freedoms will be discussed in Turkey. It will become clear who is on which side. It will emerge who is lying and who truly believes. The clock is now set for Kurdish peace and a democratic Turkey. From this point on, no one, including the government, can turn back the clock set for Kurdish peace. Once this historic call is made, we will go from house to house, street to street, and explain ourselves. We will explain that everything we want is for the benefit of all 85 million. The government should not fear peace; peace is an honorable exit for us all. We will continue the struggle for peace despite everything."

News Source: 12punto