The Kurdistan Observer www.kurdistanobserver.com Ocalan Views Developments from Prison 07 July 2001 Ocalan: 'Either peace or tragedy' Ozgur Politika  (Ozgur Politica is a pro PKK punblication)

"I am stressing once again so that no one  misunderstands me that I reject violence,  I am against violence in the solution for  political and social problems.”

PKK President Abdullah Ocalan said that the existing style of politics dominant in the
government, parliament, and political parties had opened the path to a complete blockage
and dead-lock in politics, adding that Turkey's current political position could be described
as one in which "either peace will develop, or tragic developments will be experienced."

Ocalan drew attention to the fact that Turkey was passing through a very critical period and
stressed that they would not change their position as long as the smallest flicker of hope
remained for peace.

'Not with this style of politics...'

Ocalan also pointed out that the situation of blockage in politics had become even more
serious because the democratic forces had not carried out their role during this critical
period. Ocalan continued to note the following: "Public opinion polls show that 80 percent of
the people have no faith left in the current policies. With this political style, forget about
making democratic openings, overcoming the crisis cannot even be secured. The people have
been left face-to-face with the danger of hunger. Poverty is increasing with every passing
day. If it continues like this, not only hunger but danger to safety of life could even become a
problem. In other words, either peace will develop or tragic developments will be
experienced."

'The people must prepare themselves'

Ocalan said that in such a societal environment, new 'perpetrator unknown' murders carried
out in the name of the state or extra-legal stances towards legal activities would not serve the
development of peace, and called for awareness against developments which would put
pressure against peace. "The people must prepare themselves to express their democratic
mass reaction in the broadest fashion so that events such as Silopi never happen again,"
Ocalan said.

'Some are still debating hanging'

The PKK President stressed once again that it must not be forgotten that peace does not just
arise of itself but develops through struggle and gave the following warning concerning the
existence of forces who were in favor of war: "There were certain forces in Turkey who
wanted to develop new perpetrator unknown murders; there could be some in the future.
Despite our calls for peace, there are still some saying 'let's hang [him], let's cut [him].' Those
continuing this with foreign ties are the most concrete evidence of this."

'As long as the smallest light remains...'

Ocalan said he had viewed it necessary to once again present his position clearly because of
the sensitive nature of the period and renewed his insistence on the line of peace. Ocalan said
the following on this subject: "I said that I would seek an honorable solution if I see as much
hope as the tip of a needle. My search for an honorable solution, for freedom for people's
history, identity, culture, and freedom, will continue after this until the end, just as it has
until today. I will never change my line as long as I see the smallest light for a historical and
meaningful peace, for democratic unity, true brotherhood, and cultural freedom. If I am
living, am able to live, in the most difficult conditions, it is for this. I want the role cut out for
my own life to be understood this way."

'I am against violence'

Ocalan continued to say the following: "I am stressing once again so that no one
misunderstands me that I reject violence, I am against violence in the solution for political
and social problems. I want to completely eradicate violence. But for this, respect must be
shown for our history, our rights, our identity, and our culture."

'My life involves Turkey's fate'

Ocalan also commented on the death penalty, saying that his own personal situation by itself
did not interest him in this matter but that whether or not he lived was a political matter that
closely involved the fate of a people, even the fate of all of Turkey. The PKK President
called on everyone to see this reality and understand it correctly.

'It will open the path to a great revolution in thought'

  PKK President Abdullah Ocalan said that he had completed the first section of his defense,
totaling 676 pages, for his case to be heard on August 30 in the European Court of Human
Rights. He said that he planned for the second section, which he would prepare in the coming
two months, to reach 700 pages. Ocalan said that he would try to open a new line in the
intellectual sense in his defense, adding, "I think it will open the path to a great revolution in
thought."

  Ocalan said that it was still not clear who had given the decision for him to be surrendered
to Turkey, but added, "The US's role in the conspiracy is like a second Hiroshima."

The Milosevic event must be followed carefully

The PKK President also commented on the case against former Yugoslav President
Slobodan Milosevic which began recently in the International Tribunal. Ocalan called
attention to Milosevic's comment that "England planned developments in Yugoslavia," and
said that that situation had similarities to his own from the aspect of England's role. He
added that the Milosevic event must be followed carefully.