AMED - Participants in the commemoration held yesterday in Amed for PKK pioneer cadres Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun stressed their determination to raise their struggle for an honourable peace.

 

A commemoration was held yesterday in Amed's (Diyarbakır) Şêx Seîd (Dağkağı) Square with the participation of thousands of people for Ali Haydar Kaytan (Fuat) and Rıza Altun, two of the PKK's leading cadres who lost their lives. At the commemoration, which was also attended by participants from Turkey and Kurdistan, the determination to raise the struggle was emphasised.

 

'WE EXPECT STEPS FROM THE STATE'

 

Meyase Korkmaz, who attended the commemoration from Riha (Urfa), said that Altun and Kaytan dedicated 50 years to the struggle. Underlining that they will follow their struggle, Meyase Korkmaz said, "We expect good steps from the state. If steps are not taken, nothing will be solved. If steps are taken mutually, there will be peace. If peace is achieved, both Kurds and Turks will be free in the Republic of Turkey."

 

'WE ARE ON THE FIELD FOR COMMEMORATION AND PEACE'

 

Süheyla Akalın from Nisêbîn (Nusaybin) district of Merdîn (Mardin) stated that the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan must be ensured. Süheyla Akalın said, "We want no one's mother to cry anymore. We want justice and peace to be achieved. The state must also take steps to ensure peace."

 

Emine Alkış, who came from Silopi district of Şirnex (Şırnak), stated that they are in the field to commemorate the immortals like Kaytan and Altun. Emine Alkış continued: "Just as Leader Apo has announced the message of peace to the world, the whole world must respond to that call. We want our identity and language to be recognised. These massacres should stop, our prisoners should be released" and listed their demands. Rıhan Arslan from Silopi also asked all mothers to join hands and strengthen the struggle for peace.

 

Osman Yıldırım, who came from Erzirom (Erzurum), emphasised that they were on the field for an honourable peace and asked for the release of the prisoners in the dungeon.

 

FERHAT KURTAY'S SIBLINGS

 

Rabia Kurtay and Ferit Kurtay, siblings of Ferhat Kurtay, who set his body on fire on 17 May 1982 against the persecution and torture in Diyarbakır Prison No. 5, were among the participants of the commemoration. Rabia Kurtay said, "Everyone is born with their language and soil. Let no one die. We want peace, we want mums not to cry anymore. We have paid a great price, we stand behind those prices."

 

Ferit Kurtay also stated the following: "This commemoration is the confrontation of society with the necessity of a social peace as a result of 43 years of struggle. It is time for both Kurdish and Turkish people to end these sufferings and to build a new social peace. Ali Haydar Kaytan, Rıza Altun... They have come here by weaving this struggle into a knot. They raised hope for humanity and brotherhood. It is necessary to protect the struggle for peace, to enlarge the struggle of those who lost their lives. We will be worthy of them. We want to raise the fire lit by Ferhat and his friends with peace, brotherhood and love."