Karasu: Kandil has direct lines to both Öcalan and the state
PKK official Mustafa Karasu says Kandil maintains direct channels of communication with both Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı and Turkish state officials, with views exchanged on both sides.
RastinewsPKK official Mustafa Karasu, in an interview with journalist Erdal Er, said Kandil is in contact with both Abdullah Öcalan and state officials as part of the ongoing process. Karasu said PKK officials and state representatives have met face to face "at certain locations" and that practical steps have been taken on some issues.
KCK Executive Council member Mustafa Karasu said there is a channel through which views are exchanged between Kandil and İmralı. "There is contact between us and İmralı. There is a channel through which views go back and forth," he said.
The most notable part of Karasu's remarks was his assertion that the contacts are not limited to message traffic between Kandil and İmralı. Karasu said PKK officials and state officials meet directly from time to time, adding:
"Some of our friends sit down with certain officials at certain venues and discuss things, meet with them. Practical steps are being taken on some issues."
Karasu said both sides convey their objections and concerns about the process to each other in these meetings. "The state has its concerns, and those are conveyed and discussed. When we have concerns, our friends meet with state officials as well," he said.
Karasu argued that these contacts are a natural and necessary part of the search for a resolution, asking: "If we have no relationship at all with the state, no exchange of views at all with İmralı, how is this problem going to be solved?"