AMED – People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan started his visits to political parties in Amed (Diyarbakır). Bakirhan said that Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s meeting with Kurdish leaders would make a great contribution to the process. 

 

Bakirhan visited the People and Freedom Party (PIA).  Co-spokespersons of the Democratic Unity Initiative Mehmet Kamaç and Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit and DEM Party Deputy Co-Chair Özlem Gündüz, who is responsible for the DEM Party's Political Party Relations Commission, accompanied Bakırhan.

 

FIRST VISIT TO PIA

 

PIA Co-Chair Ahmet Kaya, PIA Amed Provincial Co-Chair Banu Ay and party executives welcomed Bakırhan and his entourage. Co-spokesperson of the Democratic Unity Initiative Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit said that these meetings were important to ensure the unity of Kurds.

 

Tuncer Bakirhan stated that they held meetings with political parties within the scope of the process. Bakırhan said that they wanted to come together with Kurdish parties to discuss the process: "We made this visit in order to receive the criticisms, suggestions and ideas of our parties. Mr Öcalan himself said that he especially cared about the opinions of Kurdish parties and asked us to listen carefully to their criticisms and suggestions about this process and to take notes. He also asked us to inform him on the next visit as a result of these meetings. We have started these visits. Our parties have their own thoughts and ideas. This process is not only a process between DEM Party and AKP. This issue is a matter for all of us, as democratic society points to an understanding that covers 86 million people, addresses 86 million people, and if realised, 86 million people can breathe as equal citizens on a democratic ground."

 

Stating that the PIA is also a party to the new process, Bakırhan said: "While there is such an important process, the thoughts of the PIA are important for us. We have come for this purpose, I hope we will have a good meeting."

 

Ahmet Kaya, on the other hand, stated that they would contribute to the process.

 

Bakırhan then answered the questions of journalists. Bakırhan answered a question about Abdullah Öcalan's request to meet with Kurdish leaders such as Massoud Barzani and Bafil Talabani.

 

Bakırhan pointed out that Abdullah Öcalan attaches great importance to Kurdish national unity and said: "We are talking about a political leader who has repeatedly called for democratic national unity and called for a national congress since the 90s. Since this process is a process that can affect Iraq, Syria, Iran and the region, it is quite normal for him to meet with Mr Massoud Barzani, Talabani and other political party leaders and opinion leaders there. We will make various contacts in this regard. I hope that in a short time Mr Öcalan will also exchange views with Kurdish leaders about the ongoing process. He will receive their suggestions. This is very valuable and important. As DEM Party, we think that this meeting will make a great contribution and should be held."

 

TWO SEPARATE CONFERENCES

 

The meeting then continued closed to the press. Bakırhan and his entourage then visited the Revolutionary Democratic Culture Association (DDKD). Speaking here, Mehmet Kamaç emphasised Kurdish unity. Kamaç stated that they will hold a conference in Bazîd (Doğubayazıt) on 26 July and in Mêrdin (Mardin) in early October.

 

The meeting continued closed to the press.

 

Bakırhan and his entourage will later visit the Kurdistan Communist Party (KKP), Azadî Party, Partiya Demokrat a Kurdistan-Turkey and Partiya Sosyalist a Kurdistan (PSK).