The effects of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Ocalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" continue. Citizens living in Ankara drew attention to the economic and social damage caused by years of conflict and emphasised the need to solve the Kurdish question.

 

Mehmet Duymaz pointed out that Abdullah Öcalan's messages are peace orientated and said, "Abdullah Öcalan has been in prison for 26 years. In all his calls he tells people about peace. He says 'Make peace, live in peace, share and be brothers'. He talks about the rights of the Kurdish people. If there is to be peace, it must be based on the mother tongue. Kurds were subjected to assimilation policies for years, but they did not step back."

 

'THE COUNTRY'S RESOURCES WERE WASTED'

 

İsrafil Kaya stated that he is from Erzirom (Erzurum) and has been living in Ankara for many years, said that they lived intertwined with Kurds in their villages in Erzirom and therefore he understands Kurds very well. Kaya said, "In the past there was rejection, denial and assimilation. People could not speak their mother tongue.  Millions of Kurds live in this country. Their problems must be solved, individual and democratic freedoms must be provided. The conflicts also caused great damage to the economy. The resources of this country were wasted. Bombs were thrown on mountains and stones. Constant tension, constant conflict and bombs exploding... Where does this money come from? From our pockets. If we are experiencing economic difficulties today, one of the biggest reasons is the resources allocated to security."

 

'KURDISH QUESTION MUST BE SOLVED IN PARLIAMENT'

 

Yıldız Aslan emphasised that the Kurdish question should be solved as soon as possible and that the way should be paved for a brotherly solution to this problem. Yıldız Aslan said, "I hope there will be a ceasefire and we will live in brotherhood. It would be good for both sides; for young people, mothers and all of us."

 

Tuğçe Ünal stated that people should not be separated and said, "The Kurdish question should be solved in the Parliament. If the process proceeds in this way and they do not discriminate, we can have a very beautiful friendship and brotherhood."