Abdullah OCALAN
My health condition is as usual. Nothing has much changed. I can not sleep at night, I am out of breath. I wake up at nights and I sweat a lot. The new window certainly did make me feel a bit better. However, all the illnesses appear to continue. The reason for all this is the way the room is designed. It feels as if I am in a pit hole. It looks as if these are the conditions and it seems nothing much will change soon. I will try to live under these conditions. They said that they will make some changes here. They said we shall all be able to see each other three days a week in here.
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TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
On 8th February, 2010, in between the hours of 15:00-16:00pm and 22:00-23:00pm, Turkish state army continued its attacks by bombarding the Cehennem Tepesi, Ciyares and Dole Sive areas in Zap/Medya Defence Areas. During the attacks, obus and mortars have been used.
The Press Liasion Center – HPG
9 February 2010
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TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
On 7th February, 2010, in between the hours of 09:30-11:00am, Turkish state army have carried an obus and mortar attack to the villages of Serne and Ele, and the areas of Ciyares and Cehennem Tepesi in Zap/Medya Defence Areas. As a result of the attacks damages occurred in the villages.
The Press Liasion Center – HPG
8 February 2010
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TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
On 5th February, 2010, in between the hours of 13:00-14:00pm, Turkish state army carried an attack by using obus and mortars against the villages of Sive and Bezele in Zap/Medya Defence Areas.
The Press Liasion Center – HPG
7 February2010
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KCK Executive Council Member Cemil Bayik stressed that the ‘dirty war’ of the 1990s had been put back into practise but using different methods. He said, ‘‘there is a campaign to exterminate the Democratic Kurdish Movement,’’ and added that those fighting against this would need to be patient and resolute. Bayik stressed that the Kurdish Freedom Movement had begun the process for a solution to the Kurdish issue beginning with the March 29th local elections. Against this the Turkish State had continued its policy of denial and extermination by adopting new methods, he emphasised.
All the developments following that time had been the result of a struggle between these two policies, indicated Bayik. It was the Kurdish Freedom Movement that began the democratic resolution process and the Turkish State which has obstructed it, he stated. ‘‘The democratic resolution process began with the Kurdish Movement’s unilateral ceasefire of April 13th. It has been the Turkish State’s policy of extermination and its confiscation of (Leader Apo’s) Road Map that has obstructed this process. If this period is to be understood then it is the Kurdish Freedom Movement that began it and the Turkish State that blocked it.’’
Bayik stated that the (AKP) government’s policy of extermination, codenamed ‘the democratic initiative’ had baulked at the reality of a people who want an equal and resolute resolution and that this had become evident with the arrival of the peace groups.
According to Bayik, the attacks against the democratic Kurdish politics deepened and turned into a political lynching against the DTP following this. With these attacks they wanted to intimidate and suppress the Kurdish people to the point where they would accept the policy of extermination, he added.
The banning of the DTP has shown once again that it is impossible to practise free democratic politics in Turkey, said Bayik. ‘‘The threat of closure will continue until everyone toes the line of the State. It must be understood that there is great pressure on democratic politics. Those involved in democratic politics must be aware of this, be patient, controlled, principled and resolute in struggling against this.’’
Bayik assessed and defined the December 24th operation against Kurdish politicians as being the result of this policy of extermination and an operation to uproot democratic Kurdish politics. ‘‘The operations begun on April 14th continued on December 24th, these are political operations and are aimed at uprooting and exterminating the strong and free Kurdish political movement. This is simply a political genocide. In the 1990s political genocide was mainly implemented with extrajudicial killings. Political Kurds were being killed daily. The KCK operations are targeting the same thing that the policies of the 1990s were targeting. The methods are different but the aim is the same.’’
KCK Executive Council Member Cemil Bayik objected to the association made between the KCK and arrested Kurdish politicians and said, ‘‘in a normal country the KCK would be legal and legitimate.’’ Bayik went on to summarise the form and structure of the KCK.
He said that the KCK was the Kurdish people’s democratic political institution and summarised it by saying, ‘‘the KCK has an annual general assembly which is attended by delegates from all parts of Kurdistan, and this is where the KCK Executive Council is chosen. The KCK aims for a complete democratic system. It is an organisation outside and beyond the State. It organises from below and aims to solve society’s problems within society’s means. It organises from society’s foundations and aims to make the whole of society a democratic force. The KCK ensures that the economic, cultural and social problems of society are resolved with society’s own organisations and the power these organisations create. The KCK is a model that overcomes the mentality of awaiting solutions from the State and creates a system outside and beyond the State that addresses the problems and needs of humanity. There are many communities in all the parts of Kurdistan that believe in this system and the freedom and democracy it is going to create. There are many people who are working amongst the people to create this system by raising awareness regarding organisation and its importance. Those people who are working in society to organise and raise awareness regarding organisation are assisting the KCK system whether they are part of it or not. The essence of the KCK system is the creation of a democratic consciousness and the democratic organisation of society.’’
Cemil Bayik also responded to those still voicing the ‘democratic initiative’ following so many operations against Kurdish politics. ‘‘Those who are saying that this initiative will get better following the KCK operation are ridiculing the Kurds,’’ said Bayik, and added that Turkey was trying to create a new Kurdish organisation. Bayik also warned intellectuals who were presenting the AKP’s extermination plan as a solution.
Bayik drew attention to the attempts by the Turkish State and government in trying to form a new Kurdish organisation to divide the Kurdish Freedom Movement. He emphasised that the Turkish State was pressuring the democratic Kurdish political movement to distance itself from the PKK and brand guerrilla activity as terrorist activity. Bayik added that Kurds would not be fooled by this.
Cemil Bayik also highlighted the efforts by the AKP government to install itself into the depths of the Deep State. ‘‘Political Islamists know that without settling into the Deep State they cannot be influential within the State,’’ said Bayik, and attributed the search in the Special Warfare Department to this.
KCK Executive Council member Cemil Bayik assessed the searches in the Special Warfare Department. ‘‘We (the PKK) are the movement that has suffered the most from this war department. Of course we want things to be revealed; however it is impossible for the AKP to expose the crimes of this department.’’ Bayik added that political Islamists had been accepted within the State and that the AKP’s 7 years in government was proof of this. Bayik also underlined that the AKP was waging a psychological war using the media and that it was not believable that a party like the AKP would ‘clean up’ the Special Warfare Department.
In his interview, Bayik also attracted attention to the conditions of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and said that the policies of isolation and intimidation implemented could not be seen anywhere else in the world. Bayik added that Öcalan’s involvement with the outside world had been reduced to a minimum, ‘‘if the political climate permitted they would exert more pressure and restrictions. The only prisoner in Turkey who cannot watch television and read the newspapers he wants, is the Leader of the Kurdish People. The radio that has been given to him only has one channel. Just this example is enough to portray the reality of his conditions,’’ he added.
Bayik also said, ‘‘the Road Map was going to be the key that would undo the lock that was put on the Kurdish issue. Those who are asking what the Kurds want should know that the demands of the Kurdish people are embodied in the Road Map and that it is in the hands of the Turkish State.’’
In the event that the AKP insists on extermination, the year 2010 will be full of conflict on all fronts, warned Bayik, before adding that the Kurds had explicit demands. Bayik indicated that there could be no negotiations regarding the demands of the Kurdish people and guerrilla. ‘‘Nobody should expect us to act like sacrificial lambs. Our guerrillas are ready, plans to delay or crush us will be met with great resistance.’’
Cemil Bayik also indicated that speculations regarding the Tokat attack were the propaganda of the psychological warfare department. He added that those who were continually voicing the Tokat attack were turning a blind eye to the hundreds of military operations and attacks that had taken place in the past months.
KCK Executive Council member Cemil Bayik ended his interview by underlining that if the Turkish State did not take the necessary steps for a democratic resolution and insisted on extermination and killing then they would be met by a great resistance in all areas.
Bayik invoked the responsibilities of democratic forces in 2010 and said that the delay tactics and damaging policies of the AKP government needed to be brought to an end. ‘‘Democratic forces must declare their programme for democracy in a clear and strong manner to expose the real face of the AKP and bury them in the election box in the next elections,’’ he said.
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ABDULLAH OCALAN
Unlike before, I have breathing and sleeping problems in this new place. This new place has been constructed with great proficiency and very deliberately, it is systematic. It has been planned to the finest detail and is a special place. A lot of money has been spent on it so I do not think there is an opportunity for improvement from now on. I feel like I am in a shaft that is 15 metres deep. I feel breathless and cannot sleep. I couldn’t sleep yesterday either.
To ventilate the room I have to open the window. I cannot sit in the ventilation area. The ventilation area is covered by tall concrete walls and is 5 to 7 metres in length. It is smaller than the previous ventilation area and the top of it is not completely open. I can only walk in this area. However, due to the effect of the depth there is great pressure in this area. The discharge in my throat is continuing.
We cannot come together in the ventilation area with the other comrades. We have the right to see each other for 10 hours a week; however, this is being limited to 1 hour. We have met four times until now. The last meeting was cut down to 50 minutes. The statements made by the Cabinet Minister (concerning the issue of rights) are not even being implemented. They are not implementing the current rights and regulations. What is the point of meeting if these are not going to be implemented properly? We assessed the problem yesterday. We have decided to boycott joint recreation time until conditions are improved and our rights are given in full. From now on I will not come out for joint recreation time until these situations are corrected.
When we meet there are two officers in front and two officers behind us. They aren’t allowing us to meet in the ventilation area. Until recently Kurdish was prohibited here. However this ban was lifted from the regulations, but we haven’t yet tried to speak Kurdish. We don’t know whether they will allow it or not. If we try we will find out.
The conditions here are very difficult compared to the previous places of the new comrades. I am used to it now, but it is a shame for the new comrades. Apart from my family and lawyers I do not have the chance to speak to the other personnel here. Even when they are giving food, they put the food into the plate and then take it; there is no communication between us. There is a generator that is constantly working outside my room and making noise. This is making me very uncomfortable.
The ‘Il Manifesto’ newspaper is formed of intellectuals. There is great quality I know.
There are the concepts of singularity and universality in philosophy. I see and create a connection between these. I indicate that singularities are important, but that every singularity has a connection and link with universality. And also that universality has a connection with singularity. These are things that are not in conflict with each other, they are linked. For example Ireland has a singularity, so does Kurdistan. However, both of them convene at certain points and create universality.
The 20 day solitary confinement punishment has been approved. I have been notified. However, I don’t know when the punishment will be put into practise. They will probably implement it soon. Also I had requested from my 160 page defence that the part pertaining to the Road Map be sent to the ECHR. In their reply they have indicated that they will not be sending it to the ECHR. The reason for this, they have said, is that this defence contains educational material, propaganda and directives. This isn’t true. I am not giving directives to anyone. They are saying it is educational material, however all my previous defences were also educational.
I am not giving directives to anyone from here, I don’t find this right. It is not ethical or possible for me to do this in these conditions of imprisonment. However, I will continue to voice my opinions. Nobody can stop me from expressing my opinions. Even if it means death I will still continue to do this. The assessments I make here are not directives; they are sociological analysis, sociological assessments.
They are conducting politics by exploiting the Islamic sensibility and character of the Kurds; it has been this way for 30 years. In the 1970s they were using the Refah Party (Welfare Party) now they are using the AKP to implement these policies. The mask of the CHP and MHP has been understood among Kurds. They are trying to control the Kurds using the AKP. The AKP is continuing the rigid-nationalist elimination plans of the CHP and MHP although they are using softer, finer and more moderate methods. The aim is the same: elimination. Essentially, there is a covert agreement between the MHP, CHP and AKP since 2002. There is a so-called and fake opposition, not a weak opposition in parliament.
Not being understood is straining me more than the adverse conditions here. The Irish are stubborn and the Kurds resilient, however they do not understand and are not aware of the games that are being played around them. I do not know what will develop after February-March. I am not saying they should fight or make peace, I am not giving orders, they must make their own decisions. Are the Kurds going to forsake their honour or abandon the struggle for their rights? They will decide.
It has become clear that they will intensify military operations; the elimination plan is in motion. There will be a rise in attacks. They will attack us on all fronts and leave us exhausted. This may be followed by a military operation. February and March is approaching. I will become neutral and not get involved. If they approach us for a resolution then I am here and always willing to contribute.
There were certain negative approaches towards me before, they tried to provoke me. They attacked me and threw me to the floor. I reacted and said ‘why are you doing this?’ They didn’t back down. If I had struck back they may have killed me. Why didn’t I strike back? Because death is not a good thing. I will not be responsible for my own death here, if they want to kill me, they can. I am trying to stay alive to keep up the morale of my people and to protect the hope for peace and freedom.
Individualism is very prevalent in Europe. Of course, I am not talking about the individual, but individualism. The reason why a solution isn’t developing, and why social problems aren’t being solved is that everyone is too involved and infected by the nation-state. I believe that the failure of Marxism was primarily due to its analysis of the nation-state. The nation-state is a result of capitalism and capitalist modernity. The left did not comprehend this. We as the left, socialists and downtrodden did not comprehend this. The collapse of reel socialism was also due to this false comprehension. Lenin in Russia, Mao in China, they all fell into this error. This must be comprehended well. Without China, the USA would not be able to survive now. Today trade unions and some other workers’ associations are actually serving capitalism. I do not agree with Marx’s analysis of ‘a class versus another class.’ I believe in society against class or capitalism, not class versus class. When I say ‘society’ I am not talking about a certain section of society but society as a whole. I am saying that without society there would no individual. The individual has meaning only within society. The solution is the coming together of the individual and society at a universal level. However this is not internationalism.
Europe is basing everything on singularity. This by itself is inadequate. My suggestion is not a European kind of singularity or internationalism as with Real Socialism. My suggestion is not the taking of political power; it is not a federal or classic confederal system either. My suggestion is the convergence of singularity and universality. We can call this Democratic Communality. Due to this we can also call this concept the democratic nation or democratic homeland. This mentality does not target the taking of political power or the state; we don’t get involved with the state apparatus. In this sense I call it socialism. This concept has established itself a little in Kurdistan. Despite the exploitation and massacres against Kurds this comprehension has spread amongst Kurds. A solution cannot be developed because most people have been infected by the nation-state. For this reason a massacre could be carried out in South Kurdistan, I am warning them. I am also warning Barzani and Talabani.
Gramsci is also known to have been in prison for 10 years. I value his ideas. What I am doing here is a renovation and update of his ideas.
There is institutional fascism in Turkey. My prison conditions are proof that this fascism is still strong and continuing. This institutional fascism has been in practise for 100 years and it hasn’t changed. The Committee for Union and Progress began this practise in 1906. Today their representatives are the CHP and MHP. They are rigid-nationalists. We are against the CHP and MHP’s rigid nationalism and also against the AKP’s Islamic hegemony. We reject both of these. I am suggesting a third way. This third way is the democratic way which we have repeatedly expressed; Democratic Confederalism, Democratic Republic, Democratic Nation and Democratic Homeland.
The Italian Gladio, like the other Gladios was also effective in my capture and imprisonment. The British M16 and the Greek Gladio were also effective. Britain was deeply involved. This must be known. The Turkish and Italian Prime Minister’s have declared themselves as brothers. A ‘capitalist marriage’ is trying to be formed between these two countries. This is a policy by capitalism of creating a model between these countries. The Turkish Gladio Ergenekon is a continuation of the Committee for Union and Progress. Italy was successful in dissolving its own Gladio. However, the Turkish Gladio-Ergenekon has not yet been dissolved. The current Ergenekon case is not the whole of Ergenekon but just a small part of it.
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TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
On the night of 14th of January, 2010, in between the hours of 16:00-17:00, the Turkish state army have carried an attack by obus and mortars against the areas of the village of Hope and the Hill of Ronahi in Semdinli/Hakkari.
The Press Liasion Centre – HPG
15 January 2010
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TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
On 11th January, 2010, in between the hours of 23:00-00:30, the Turkish state army have carried a bombardment in the areas of Dola Sive, the village of Ele an the village of Kere in the Zap area. The attack have been carried out with obus and mortars.
The Press Liasion Center – HPG
12 January 2010
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If the peace process was not developed then the ‘‘rigid-nationalist Ergenekon line’’ would begin a Kurdish-Turkish conflict
February is approaching. Even if the PKK wanted to, they would not be able to prevent the people’s reaction. ‘I am only voicing my concerns. If I did not speak there would be widespread bloodshed.
The AKP are working with Israel. Netanyahu is a radical nationalist but Olmert and Barak are in harmony with the AKP. The cosmic room is a façade. We must look at the backdrop to this façade. The AKP are not conducting this process on their own, there is an Erdoğan-Başbuğ alliance, and the USA is supporting them. The ‘hundred year’ phrase that they have recently begun using, they probably took it from me. I have been saying it for a very long time; Ergenekon has roots that go back hundreds of years. It leans on the activities of the Teşkilat-ı Mahsusa (Special Organisation) from 1906. In fact we could take it back to 1876; the hanging of Abdülaziz leans on a similar organisation. Its roots are very old. In those days they organised in Muslim countries using Islam. Moderate Islam and Radical Islam have connections with the USA. The USA has appointed the AKP in the role of Moderate Islam.
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MILITARY OPERATION IN ULUDERE
TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
Turkish state army have started a military operation in the areas of Yekmale, Yekmal Bogazi, Sikefta Res, Hetris and surrounding areas of Habur in Uludere/Sirnak since 1st of January, 2010. The Special Task Forces’ Teams, belong to the Turkish state army, carrying ambushes in the area, while the military operation is stil continuing.
The Press Liasion Centre – HPG
11/01/2010
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