We don't want war, but...

June 25, 2001
Ozgur Politika (Translated)

Ocalan said that the three or four months ahead were very important and added,
"Everyone must know that if Turkey does not respond to the peace drive, the war will
begin again. But our choice is not war."

PKK Council of Leaders member Osman Ocalan, calling out to Turkish officials, said that
they had been debating whether the continuation of assaults would cause the war to
begin again and added, "But our choice is not war."

Ocalan made some very important statements when speaking by telephone on the Rews
program on MEDYA TV the other evening. "We have heard that the Kurds have entered
a debate concerning the war beginning again," Ocalan said, adding, "This debate will last
until fall. All segments will take place in this debate." Ocalan called on Germany to
abandon the policy is has followed so far and for Turkey to be pushed for a solution, and
continued to say the following: "This is the last chance. The three or four months ahead
are very important. Everyone must know that f Turkey does not respond to the peace
drive, the war will begin again."

Referring to the statement containing seven demands released by the PKK Council of
Leaders a few days ago, Ocalan said that this statement was not a warning but the
beginning of a new process. Ocalan explained the reasons for the renewed debate on
war as follows: "We resorted to war because we were left with no other choice. The
15-year war harmed everyone. Now we want to carry on a political struggle. But
annihilation campaigns are being carried out one after the other against our guerrillas.
Assaults are also increasing by the day against Kurdish institutions and democratic
circles that speak about the Kurdish problem. Just as there are no legal arrangements
foreseen concerning the Kurds, the death penalty is being retained for Kurds. All these
show that they want the war to continue."

We are in an advantageous position

Ocalan said they would continue to insist on peace and added the following: "We are
debating now. We still have not decided anything. This last statement of ours, more than
a warning, is to announce the beginning of a new process. Both our guerrillas and our
people, whether in wisdom or accumulation, are stronger than at any time. Additionally,
a number of powers in the Middle East are in a position to present support. Therefore,
we are in a more advantageous position than in any period. But this is not our
preference. We do not want to change our strategy."

Ocalan also called to the Kurdish people, saying that they should be prepared in view of
the debates that have developed recently and for youths to turn to the mountains again.
Ocalan said that they wanted to contribute to the Second Peace Drive with multi-faceted
activities, signaling that these activities could prevent war.