The Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Imrali Delegation paid a visit to the Federated Kurdistan Region between 16-19 February following their meeting with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The delegation, including Pervin Buldan Sırrı Süreyya Önder, met with KDP Chair Massoud Barzani, PUK Chair Bafel Talabani, President of the Federated Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani and Regional Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. While it was noted that the visit was positive within the scope of the discussions on the Kurdish issue, Dr Kamuran Berwarî evaluated the visit and the discussions to Mezopotamya Agency (MA).

 

Stating that the visit was "a new beginning for the process", Berwarî said, "This is not the first time Kurds have come together in Southern Kurdistan. Kurds have come together many times in Southern Kurdistan, alliances were formed and different conferences were organised. However, the Imrali delegation's coming here is different in terms of subject matter. Because the arrival of the Imrali delegation took place in an environment where very important developments were taking place in the Middle East. The arrival of the Imrali delegation means the beginning of a new process in Kurdish and Kurdistan relations. Especially such developments and negotiations will have an impact on the four parts of Kurdistan. Everyone must fulfil their responsibilities for the liberation and freedom of Kurdistan."

 

Stating that the visit was important, Berwarî said, "The delegation's visit to Southern Kurdistan had a great impact on the people of the region. The people welcomed this meeting with great warmth and excitement. We know that there has never been any enmity between the Kurdish people. If there is, it is between individuals and political parties. However, this enmity has never been based on the gains of the Kurdish people. The arrival of the delegation has also had an impact on political parties. Today, both Kurds and Turks want peace. Therefore, we cannot say that there is no endeavour for peace among the Turks. Many Turkish masses and political parties also want peace, many of them believe that the current problem will be solved. Since 1981, 40-45 thousand people have lost their lives in this war in Bakûr (North) Kurdistan alone and Turkey has lost 3-4 trillion dollars in this war. This loss is also due to the lack of peace. For this reason, important steps are being taken today and every Kurd sees this positively."

 

'NOT RESISTANCE ALONE HAS ACHIEVED ITS GOAL'

 

Referring to the importance of the Kurdish alliance, Berwarî said, "We consider the support of the South Kurdistan government and political parties important. Because we are going through a historical process. We know very well that no serhildan (resistance) has ever achieved its goal on its own and has been destroyed. Even if they succeeded on their own, they eventually failed. That is why the unity of the four parts is important in this process. The support of the Kurdistan Regional Government is especially important in this process. In this case, it is because the government of the South sees itself as part of the liberation of Greater Kurdistan and will no longer be part of the policy of the occupying Turkish state and will not destroy Rojava, Shengal and Makhmur."

 

Underlining the need for the Federated Kurdistan Government to meet the demands of the Kurdish people in order to strengthen the Kurdish alliance, Berwarî added, “More than 500 thousand signatures have been collected for the southern government to remove Turkish troops from Kurdistan. However, the government has not yet taken a positive step. One million signatures were also collected for the freedom of Mr. Öcalan and the solution of the Kurdish question. However, there has still been no response. The government of South Kurdistan has not applied for a visit to Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in severe isolation for 26 years. Nor has it said internationally that Mr. Öcalan is a national figure. But it still has time to overcome its shortcomings and move to a modern stage.”

 

'THERE ARE ALSO DANGERS'

 

Stating that this process contains both hope and danger, Kamuran Berwarî added, "The messages of the İmralı delegation after the visit were important. But we should know that not everything said and conveyed is true. Because there are also dangers. They give positive messages, but at the same time they attack guerrilla areas together with the occupying Turkish state. They are trying to take action against the SDF in Rojava, they are trying to terrorize them. They are preparing attacks against guerrillas together with the Turkish state. All these threats must now be eliminated. They are trying to disrupt Kurdish unity in Syria, Damascus and Rojava by going to Damascus in order not to play a role in the liberation and settlement of the Kurds. Just as Jerusalem is important for Jews and Muslims, Rojava Kurdistan is equally important for all the people of Kurdistan.” 

 

Berwarî said that Kurds should take lessons from past processes and participate in this process with a modern mindset and continued his words as follows: “In order to solve the Kurdish issue, Kurdish forces need to participate in the process with a new mentality and a new method. Kurds need to put aside their personal, family and political party gains and give priority to Kurdistan. Because none of what has been done so far has been in the interests of Kurds and Kurdistan. If there had been a national, patriotic line in this 35-year period, maybe we would not have made such strategic mistakes and the solution of the Kurdish issue would have been at a very different point. If there had been support for Rojava in 2011, Rojava Kurdistan would be at a very different point today, if the status of Shengal had been recognized, Shengal would not have been attacked today, if Kurdish forces in Rojava Kurdistan had not been hostile to their own tribe, the situation there would be different today, if there had been unity in Turkey, there would not have been trustee appointments and arrests today. That is why it is very important that we change this mentality in this process.” 

 

'GUNS MUST BE SILENCED'

 

Referring to the discussions on laying down arms, Berwarî underlined that laying down arms is not the solution to the problem and stressed: "We see a problem in Southern Kurdistan, some forces are saying that peace is in their hands and that Mr. Öcalan is involved in this process because he is desperate. A non-national attitude is being developed. These people are against national unity, against national gains. It is not like the issue of laying down arms. Those who think and discuss this are those who stand against Kurds and Kurdistan. Every country, every society in the world protects itself in different ways. Especially the Kurdish people who went through genocide. That is why all Kurdish forces must unite and always defend themselves against any attack. This does not mean that Kurds want war. This is also unconditional for peace and tranquility. Today there are 2 fronts in the world. One of these fronts is terrorism and the other is terrorist organizations. Kurds are against terrorism in Shengal, Makhmur, Rojava, Başur (South) and Bakur. The silencing of weapons should be discussed, not their abandonment. The problems in the world today have been solved by Mr. Ocalan. The problems of the Middle East can only be solved with this will. Öcalan can silence the weapons. This is a right step. But for this to happen, the Turkish state must take positive steps. It must stop its attacks against the guerrillas and Rojava. A solution must be found for the guerrillas to stop fighting." 

 

'WE MUST SUPPORT MR OCALAN'

 

Emphasising the importance of supporting Abdullah Öcalan in this process, Berwarî added, "The peace process is an important step. We must support Mr Öcalan. Not only 70 million Kurds, but all friends of the Kurds, everyone who defends peace, freedom and democracy must support Mr Öcalan. NATO and all European countries have a great responsibility at this stage. Especially the Americans should be the third party to peace. If they want peace in the Middle East, they should show their support. Especially the Pentagon should play a very positive role in protecting the Kurdistan Region and ensure that the people return to their own lands. If this is the case, the result will be a peaceful Middle East."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut