Reports of ‘consensus’ between Öcalan and Turkish government raises debate

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Speaking to daily Milliyet, HDP Deputy Head Pervin Buldan said she got the impression during her recent meeting with Öcalan that his latest contacts with state officials were “very positive.” DHA Photo

Reports of an “consensus” being struck between the Turkish government and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan over two new laws possibly introducing autonomy in eastern Turkey have raised debate.

Speaking to daily Milliyet yesterday, People’s Democracy Party (HDP) Deputy Head Pervin Buldan said she got the impression during her recent meeting with Öcalan that his latest contacts with state officials were “very positive.”

The report said two laws had been proposed by Öcalan as part of a solution to the Kurdish issue, named the “Regional Autonomous Governing Law” and the “Democratic Civil Society Law.”

The HDP deputy head told Milliyet that “the state and Öcalan have probably reached a consensus on the laws.” She said Öcalan had mentioned two particular laws that would pave the way for a solution to the Kurdish issue. “Our impression is that there has been an improvement in this issue. This is why I am hopeful for the process,” Buldan added.

However, the HDP’s press office denied Milliyet’s report that a consensus over the two laws had been reached.

“It is claimed in the report that Buldan said a consensus had been reached with the government over the named Regional Autonomous Governing Law and the Democratic Civil Society Law. This statement does not reflect the reality. As can be understood from the rest of the report, Buldan did not make any statement about reaching any such agreement,” it said, adding that Buldan only shared her opinion about the positive developments recent meetings between Öcalan and state officials.