PKK Executive Committee made a statement on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's call for "Peace and Democratic Society". According to the statement published by Fırat News Agency (ANF), PKK stated that they agree with Abdullah Öcalan's call and will fulfil its requirements.

 

'WE AGREE TO THE CALL'

 

The statement reads: "The call for Peace and Democratic Society made by Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February is the Manifesto of the Age that illuminates the path of all forces of freedom and democracy. We respectfully salute Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] for providing such a democratic society manifesto to our people and humanity.

 

It is clear that a new historical process has begun in Kurdistan and the Middle East with [Öcalan's] call. This will also have a great impact on the development of free life and democratic governance worldwide. The responsibility on this basis belongs to all of us; everyone must embrace their duties and responsibilities and fulfill their requirements.

 

Undoubtedly, being able to make such a call was of historical importance; now, the successful implementation of its content is of similar importance. The PKK will fully comply with the core of the appeal and will work toward its implementation. However, for the process to succeed, democratic political conditions and legal frameworks must be ensured.

 

It is very clear that the PKK has been the great heroic and true movement of the last half century in Kurdistan. Everything was won through a very brave and self-sacrificing struggle, with a price and labor. We remember all the heroic martyrs of this great freedom struggle with deep respect, love and gratitude. Now, with the same spirit and conviction, we are carrying these historical achievements into a new phase of resistance. The awareness developed by Leader Apo and the great legacy of experience created by the PKK give our people the strength to continue the struggle for the good, the true, the beautiful and freedom on the basis of democratic politics.

 

'WE ARE DECLARING A CEASEFIRE'

 

In this context, in order to pave the way for the implementation of Leader Apo's call for Peace and Democratic Society, we are declaring a ceasefire effective from today. None of our forces will take armed action unless attacked. Furthermore, only Leader Apo's practical leadership can make matters such as laying down arms practical.

 

'LEADER APO MUST DIRECT'

 

On the other hand, we are ready to convene the party congress as Leader Apo wants. However, for this to happen, a suitable security environment must be created, and Leader Apo must personally direct and conduct it to make it successful. Up until now, we have led the war to this day - with all its mistakes and shortcomings. However, only Leader Apo can can take over the leadership of the era of peace and democratic society.

 

It is clear that in order for the Call for Peace and Democratic Society to be successfully implemented, for the democratization of Turkey and the Middle East based on the democratic solution to the Kurdish question and for the development of the global democracy movement, Leader Abdullah Öcalan must be able to enjoy and work in physical freedom and to establish unhindered relationships with anyone he wants, including his friends. We hope that the requirements of this will be fulfilled by the relevant institutions of the state.

 

'CALL IS NOT AN END BUT A BEGINNING

 

Our Esteemed People and Friends!

 

The Call made by Leader Apo is definitely not an end, but rather a new beginning. As the statement very strikingly puts it, it is about implementing very clearly and decisively what we should have done in general over the last 35 years and in particular over the last 20 years, but have not done in a timely and sufficient manner.

 

In this respect, it is necessary to correctly and sufficiently understand the President's call, its reasons, the characteristics of the new process and the tasks involved, and to successfully implement the necessary steps. It is of historical importance to approach the content of the Call with great responsibility and seriousness and to successfully implement it in every area.

 

'WE SHOULD CONSIDER OURSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS CALL' 

 

Let us not forget that Leader Apo has always shouldered the biggest burden and has illuminated our path and led us. Now, he is taking a new step with the ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ and is starting a new process of struggle for all the oppressed, especially women and young people. Therefore, let us correctly understand the characteristics of this new process and successfully fulfill its duties on the basis of always being prepared against all kinds of dirty tricks and attacks. Let us develop our democratic organization and our struggle for freedom in every area with great courage and dedication in Kurdistan, the Middle East and all around the world. Let us all consider ourselves responsible for the success of this Call.

 

'A CALL TO TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AND NEWROZ' 

 

We have entered the new month of March. We are feeling a new excitement leading us to 8 March and Newroz. We are developing the Women's Freedom Revolution on the basis of Jineoloji, organizing moral and political social life in the Line of Democratic Civilization. We are trying to understand the Apoist truth more accurately and adequately, to develop the truth revolution, which is a revolution of mentality and lifestyle. Leader Apo's last Call is a call to celebrate 8 March and Newroz in a more meaningful way and with more enthusiasm on this basis. More than anyone else, women and young people need to understand this Call correctly, make it theirs strongly and fulfill its requirements.

 

On this basis, we congratulate for 8 March Working Women's Day and Newroz all women and young people, our people and our friends, and we call on everyone to support and make the Leader's Call theirs in the spirit of 8 March and Newroz and develop the freedom struggle in every field!"