Zeki Pirsus, who visited Abdullah Öcalan in 1998 as part of a delegation departing from Berlin, shared his reflections and impressions of that historic encounter. The visit, which lasted approximately one and a half months, offered Pirsus deep insight into Öcalan’s thinking and personal demeanor. He emphasized how direct contact with Öcalan profoundly shaped his understanding of his ideas and stance.
Zeki Pirsus described the experience and recalled: We set out from Berlin as a five-person delegation. At the time, people from across Europe and other parts of the world were traveling to meet with Öcalan. To be honest, we were full of curiosity. We did not know how we would speak to or communicate with such a historic figure. It was a very challenging experience for us. Mr. Öcalan had a remarkably persuasive and compelling personality.
Anyone who met with Öcalan would inevitably be convinced by the end of their conversation. When speaking, he would avoid direct eye contact in a deliberate way, perhaps so as not to overpower you, but he would ask questions and provide clear, precise answers. In that moment, I realized that it is not possible to truly understand Öcalan just by listening to him on television or the radio. Without seeing him, without speaking to him face-to-face, it is very difficult to truly grasp who he is.”
Zeki Pirsus explained that the visit lasted for one and a half months, during which he witnessed many memorable moments. He said, “We shared meals and conversations. Many groups were visiting Öcalan during that period. I kept asking myself, ‘How does he remember and recognize so many people?’ It was astonishing. Truly, it is not something one can fully convey through storytelling or listening alone. Understanding Öcalan requires lived experience.”
Öcalan slept only four to five hours a day
Zeki Pirsus described the pace of the meetings with Abdullah Öcalan, which would begin with breakfast and often continue until three or four in the morning:
“Sometimes the temperature would reach 45 degrees Celsius, but we could never get enough of the conversations. At the time, visiting delegations included guest groups, journalists, and representatives from embassies and state institutions. Despite this intense schedule, he was sleeping only four to five hours a day,” he said, underscoring Öcalan’s relentless work tempo.
Pirsus added that during their visit, they also made contact with local communities in places like Afrin (Efrîn) and Qamishlo, where trust and admiration toward Öcalan were strikingly high.
Öcalan has not lost any of his spirit
Zeki Pirsus noted that Abdullah Öcalan, who declared a unilateral ceasefire in 1993, maintained that same peaceful stance in 1998 and continues to do so in 2025:
“Even then, he was in good spirits and spoke with courage. In the recently released video footage, although his hair has turned white, his way of speaking, his energy, and morale remain unchanged. The only thing that has changed is his physical appearance; his state of mind is just as it was on the very first day.”
The call for peace sparked new hope
Zeki Pirsus described Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society,” issued on February 27, as deeply meaningful and impactful. He emphasized the importance of embracing the call and stated:
“This call rekindled a sense of hope within us. There is a 50-year history and experience of struggle behind it. Öcalan’s evaluations and perspectives are decisive for us. I trust in his ideas. Because everything he said in the 1990s is now unfolding and being implemented. That is why it is essential to speak with him directly, to hear his ideas firsthand. Trying to understand him only through the media remains insufficient.”
They will not be able to step back
Pirsus noted that the process has entered a new phase and added: “I know that with the initiation of this process, they can no longer retreat. Because they launched this process out of desperation, extending a hand. If we fulfill our responsibilities, I believe this will yield positive outcomes. The Kurdish people will emerge from this process successfully. We will do our part to contribute to that success.”
Source: ANF News
