Europe doing great injustice to the Kurds

June 25, 2001
Ozgur Politika (Translated)
PKK President Abdullah Ocalan harshly criticized European countries in the lack of
solution to the Kurdish problem, adding that they were open to the Wales and Scotland
models, in a statement he released through his attorneys, whom he was finally able to
meet with after three weeks.

PKK President Abdullah Ocalan said that certain powers, among them Europe and
including some countries in the Middle East, were expending intensive efforts towards
liquidation and stressed that the powers in question were doing a great injustice to the
Kurds.

The PKK President, releasing a statement through his attorneys, with whom he had not
been permitted to meet for two weeks, made various statements concerning the
contents of the defense he is preparing for his case in the European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR) and the role of European countries in a solution to the Kurdish problem.

Analysis of civilization

Ocalan said that the defense he would present in the ECHR was "a complete analysis of
civilization" and made the following remarks: "In my view, the united forces of both the
East and the West, the world, surrendered me and brought me to these circumstances.
It is necessary to expose the share of these countries. Why have the Kurdish people
been treated this way in general? I am touching on these in my defense." Ocalan said
that the defense he was preparing for the case to be heard on August 31 had reached
500 pages and the completed defense would reach 1000 pages.

The Kurdish incident must be democratized

The PKK President called attention to the fact that tens of thousands of people could
have been killed had they chosen the path of continued war and reminded that they had
worked to implement the policies of peace and a democratic republic for two years.
Ocalan continued to say the following: "If a democratic republic develops in Turkey, it
will be reflected in the Middle East. From this aspect, it is necessary for us to
democratize the Kurdish incident. If we can succeed at this with Turkey, it will have
reflections in the Middle East."

Ocalan added, "We removed two important justifications, separatism and violence,"
stressing that the PKK had proven this approach in practice.

Europe must enter the picture

Referring to the continuing tension between the Albanians and Macedonia in the Balkans,
Ocalan said that the debate about "recognition of rights" was being carried out in this
problem as well, adding, "On the other hand, the ban against the language of the Kurds
has not even been lifted yet. Not a single word is being said against Turkey in this
regard. I view this as a great injustice. It is a question of an extreme situation."

The PKK President continued to say the following: "Not only certain circles in Turkey but
also in a number of powers, especially Europe and England, wanted my liquidation. But I
am determinedly trying to continue the peace process I developed not only with Turkey
but with them as well," adding that he therefore also wanted Europe and England to
enter the picture in for a solution to the Kurdish problem.

The Wales and Scotland models

Ocalan said that they were open to the models for solution being developed in Europe,
adding the following: "We are especially open to England''s Wales and Scotland models.
In fact, England [Britain] is a unitary, not a federal, state. I want all of Europe, foremost
England, to know that we are open to a democratic solution."