Kalkan: Obstacles to process of change remain major challenge

In the second part of the interview conducted by the Firat News Agency with Duran Kalkan, one of the founding members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Kalkan discussed the recent organizational developments and the factors that have hindered processes of change and transformation since 1993.

Kalkan emphasized that, despite the existence of many obstacles, the more precise question is: to what extent is the path open for achieving democratic politics? The realistic answer is that the path is not easily passable; rather, it requires a struggle to overcome the obstacles and prepare the appropriate conditions, as there is no ready-made environment where democracy can be smoothly practiced.

- After the assessments you have provided, the following question naturally arises: what will the organizational model for the new process look like? This is something that is also being widely discussed and inquired about.

There is ongoing discussion about the methods and approaches of the new process, so it’s difficult to immediately say, “It will be like this.” In any case, such a statement wouldn’t be accurate. It will be shaped and defined through discussions, struggle, and inquiry. However, this does not mean that the PKK doesn’t know what it’s doing, nor does it mean the PKK is in a state of confusion or uncertainty. No, it’s not like that. The PKK has already undergone a significant shift in its model since the early 2000s, or to give a specific date, since 2004. It put an end to authoritarianism and statism and adopted the model of democratic civilization or democratic modernity. In other words, it adopted the model of a democratic, ecological, and women's-liberation-oriented society as its foundation, and it entered a core process of model change and transformation. What we are seeing today started back then; these issues didn’t just appear on the agenda. Neither the theory, nor the debate, nor the practical efforts are new. Those who claim it just began are unaware of what happened before. Therefore, steps have been taken in this direction over a 20–25 year period. But there are also steps that haven’t yet been taken. Now, with the convening of the 12th Congress, the steps that could not be taken earlier are being pursued. There is a reaffirmed will and determination to bring about a comprehensive change in the model.

The new organizational process

What’s happening now is the implementation of the full change and transformation required by the new model. What are these changes? The transformation of the theoretical, programmatic, strategic, and tactical structures that have existed since the founding of the PKK. Naturally, the organizational structure required by this will also change. Organization is formed in accordance with the mode of struggle. In this way, effective and revolutionary organizations are built. It’s not a matter of establishing an organization and then determining its strategy and tactics. Rather, the strategy and tactics, in other words, what needs to be done and how, are defined first. Then the organization to implement them is created. Once that task is completed, the role of that organization ends. Therefore, it is necessary to change its organizational structure. That is why we say the PKK’s role as it was has ended for some time now. It is now changing its fundamental theory, program, strategy, and tactics. So, when all of that changes, won’t its organizational form change too? Of course, new organizational forms and methods will emerge according to the new tasks. That is the correct approach, that is revolutionary, and that is the truth. Based on this, the previous organizational process is being dissolved, and a new organizational process is beginning.

Strategically, the national liberation war strategy has been replaced with a strategy of democratic politics. Democratic politics has been adopted as the foundation. The guerrilla warfare, which was the main form of war under the National Liberation War strategy, is being changed. That is, the PKK has been undergoing fundamental changes in all areas over the past 25 years, and now it wants to bring this transformation to completion. It will build its struggle and organization accordingly and do whatever is necessary on that basis.

The rebirth is completed and it's time of freedom

In 1994, Leader Apo said the following: “The rebirth is complete; now comes liberation.” According to the requirements of the nation-state model at that time, it was necessary to achieve national liberation through a national liberation war. That was how the model was defined back then. Now, with the model having changed, the statement “The rebirth is complete; now comes liberation” has been replaced with “The rebirth is complete; now comes freedom.” And freedom is achieved through a democratic society.

One might ask: how will the new process develop? It’s hard to say, “It will happen this way, at this time, a party with such-and-such a name will be founded, and such-and-such a step will be taken in such-and-such a place,” and so on. But the framework and goal of the change and transformation is as I’ve described. This is a process that began with the change of model in 2004. It is now deepening, and it will continue and proceed on the basis of change and transformation.

- You mentioned the factors hindering the process of change and transformation that you’ve been engaged in since 1993. Are there such internal or external factors now?

There are many obstacles in the current situation. Rather than asking whether there are obstacles, it might be more accurate to ask how open the path is for achieving change. We must answer such a question honestly: “The path is not entirely open.” We certainly cannot say something like, “The path is clear, democratic politics can be easily implemented, we are living in an environment where democratic politics is fully established, so we can achieve our goals easily.” There is no such easy environment.

We are engaged in a struggle to create that. Through overcoming obstacles, paving the way for the process, developing it, and creating the conditions in which democratic politics can operate. In other words, there is no ready-made situation.

To be continued...

A-H 

ANHA