DEM Party Co-Chair Hatimoğulları calls for Öcalan meeting: 'Failure to meet would be a historic shortcoming'

DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları, appearing as a guest on Halk TV, made statements regarding the work of the National Unity, Solidarity and Democracy Commission. Emphasising the importance of the commission proceeding in line with its founding purpose, Hatimoğulları said: "This commission has a historic mission. Society's most urgent expectation is that laws be drafted and put into effect quickly."

"THE GREATEST EXPECTATION IS A MEETING WITH ÖCALAN"

Hatimoğulları argued that the most critical step for the process to advance is a meeting with Öcalan, saying: "The most important expectation of society, and of the Kurdish people above all, is that the commission meets with Mr. Öcalan. Öcalan is the chief negotiator, and this meeting is of vital importance for accelerating the process."

"THE PKK HAS DISSOLVED ITSELF, DEMOCRATIC STEPS ARE NEEDED"

Hatimoğulları claimed that the terrorist organisation PKK had dissolved itself following Öcalan's call to the organisation for dissolution on 27 February. Noting that a "weapons-laying ceremony" was held in Sulaymaniyah on 11 July, she said: "At the next stage, legal arrangements that will ensure democratic integration are needed."

"THE EXECUTION AND COUNTER-TERRORISM LAW MUST CHANGE"

The DEM Party Co-Chair said the priority legislative changes are the execution law and the Counter-Terrorism Law, stating: "There are thousands of people who have laid down their arms. Special laws are needed for their future. Steps that will ensure democratic integration must be taken."

"WORLD EXAMPLES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT"

Hatimoğulları noted that political parties need not hesitate about meeting with Öcalan, saying: "In all peace processes around the world, meetings have been held with chief negotiators. Direct talks were held with Mandela in South Africa and with the FARC leader in Colombia. Turkey must not miss this historic opportunity."

"IF NO MEETING TAKES PLACE, IT WILL BE A HISTORIC SHORTCOMING"

Drawing attention to Öcalan's decisive role in advancing the process, Hatimoğulları said: "The state has recognised Öcalan as an interlocutor up to now. There is nothing more natural than continuing to do so. If no meeting takes place, it will be a historic shortcoming. If a meeting does take place, the process will advance very quickly."

News Source: 12punto