PKK Chieftain: Peace Process is Stuck — “No Decision at the Convention Without Apo’s Participation”

Karasu: A Congress Cannot Decide on Dissolution Without Ocalan’s Involvement

Mustafa Karasu, a senior figure in the PKK, spoke regarding the convention expected to be convened at Abdullah Ocalan’s request. Karasu stated, “Decisions like dissolution cannot be taken without Ocalan’s effective participation. There are technical means for the congress, but the government is not fulfilling its obligations.”

His statement is very important, because  abolishment of PKK and the merger of semi-autonomous  Syrian Kurdish entity Rojava administration are prior conditions for Erdogan and Bahceli to call for a new constitution with the participation of pro-Kurdish DEM Party. Erdogan, who is currently a lame duck hopes to gain another term via a new constitution.

“No Decision Without Leader Apo’s Participation”

Speaking on the PKK’s television channel, Karasu evaluated the congress process and Ocalan’s role in it. Addressing the state-initiated debates on PKK’s potential dissolution, Karasu emphasized:

“The PKK has no intention of avoiding a congress, but such a congress cannot take place without the active participation of Leader Apo.”

Referring to Ocalan’s previous calls for the PKK to consider disbanding, Karasu acknowledged they have conceded to such demands, but added:

“There must be conditions that ensure the congress can be held properly. Without them, the process is blocked.”

Karasu stressed Ocalan’s founding role in the PKK and said:

“No decisions can be made in such a congress without Leader Apo’s participation. This may not be direct, but technically, participation is entirely feasible”, referring to DEM Party’s proposal of Apo addressing the convention via tele-conference. The government has so far rejected this proposal, or any condition  for PKK’s disarmament, stating unequivocally that   “there shall be no negotiations with terrorist before all arms are buried”.

“The Government Is Not Meeting Its Obligations”

Karasu underlined that the congress isn’t a mere technical gathering that would last a couple of days:

“This is a serious process. The leadership could participate multiple times. But ensuring the necessary conditions for this is the government’s responsibility. If there is any delay, it is not because of the movement, but because the government is failing its duties.”

He reiterated that meaningful decisions can only be made with Ocalan’s active participation:

“Otherwise, the decisions outlined in the call cannot be implemented.”

Full Transcript of Karasu’s Statements

“What is the current stage in the process? Can we say a significant step has been reached? The state made certain overtures — and we have responded. The most urgent demand was: ‘Let the PKK convene its congress and dissolve itself.’ We agreed. The leadership made the decision in that regard. We wowed to fulfill the requirements of disarmament.

But the conditions that will enable a proper congress must be created. We have said this before: Leader Apo is the founder of this party. They (Bahceli) themselves acknowledged this, calling him the ‘founding leader.’ With this in mind, the PKK cannot make such decisions without convening the congress with his involvement. Even if the congress is held, it cannot decide on such matters without leadership participation.

“The Congress Cannot Be a One-Time Event”

The leadership needs to be actively involved. This congress cannot just last one or two days. Leader Apo’s participation must happen in various forms. It may not be direct, but today, the technological possibilities for participation are more than sufficient. The leadership could participate multiple times if such a congress is held.

Therefore, the PKK or the movement has no intention of avoiding the congress. If there is a delay or problem, the reason is the government’s failure to fulfill the necessary requirements for such a congress. This is how it should be understood. The public must also know this. Yes, everyone should know: if Leader Apo is not actively and effectively involved, such a congress cannot take place. The decisions mentioned in his call cannot be made without his involvement. Only with the leader’s participation can this happen.”

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