ISTANBUL - Stating that the process should not be a process carried out by the DEM Party and the government, “All civil society organizations, especially opposition parties, should support the process,” says KESK Co-Chair Ayfer Koçak. 

 

PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan met with a delegation of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) on December 28. In the messages of Abdullah Öcalan, which were made public after the meeting, he pointed to the Assembly as the address of the solution and asked all segments to play a role. 

 

Pointing out the importance of Abdullah Öcalan's message, Confederation of Public Laborers' Unions (KESK) Co-Chair Ayfer Koçak emphasized that everyone should take all necessary steps for a solution. 

 

Referring to the meeting of the DEM Party delegation with Abdullah Öcalan and the ongoing discussions, Ayfer Koçak stated that the meeting was linked to the war and chaos in the Middle East. Ayfer Koçak said, “The meeting is not independent from the beginning of a new process in the Middle East. Syria, Gaza, Israel and Rojava are a whole. In this context, the atmosphere of war at many points brings serious concerns. For all of us, the process unfolding in the Middle East is a matter of serious concern on the one hand, but also of hope on the other. In its current state, the peoples living in the region have suffered serious damage.  Wars cause serious damage to all segments of society. In this respect, we have a hope and demand that the coming period will turn into a form in which the peoples can determine their future.” 

 

'WE NEED TO LEARN LESSONS'

 

Recalling the dialogue process between 2013-2015, Ayfer Koçak stated that the “solution process” at that time was interrupted by the government. “In the years called the solution process, people could breathe a little. But whatever happened, the process was interrupted and ended by the rulers. Many people had put their hands under the stone at that time. From our point of view, if there is the slightest glimmer of peace, we prefer to open it. We cannot say that there is a process right now. Because its framework is not yet clear. We should learn lessons from our experiences and the process should be carried out transparently. As a labor organization, of course, we are closely following this process,” she said. 

 

Ayfer Koçak stated that the war targets the poor and working people the most and said, “Because there is a rent created by the warriors. The people most affected by the war are undoubtedly the poor people who live off their labor. People no longer believe in the politics of 'one homeland, one nation, one flag'. The poor children of this people have paid enough price. Now people are taking to the streets for a decent life. In this sense, the fact that young people are losing their lives in these wars constitutes our demand for peace in the first degree.”

 

'THE OPPOSITION MUST SHOULDER RESPONSIBILITY'

 

Ayfer Koçak said that she found the DEM Party's talks with the opposition parties valuable and added, “All civil society organizations, especially the opposition parties, should support the process. The real issue will start after these talks. In this sense, the opposition parties must also shoulder responsibility. In other words, the issue should not only be a process carried out by the DEM Party and the ruling party. Labor organizations and political parties should produce in this process. All segments living in this country need to come together for this work. Everyone must do their part.” 

 

MA / Ferhat Sezgin