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Speaking from the court on the prison island of Imrali, Mr Ocalan insisted he was not trying to save himself.
"This is about Turkey's future. Whatever our mistakes and our sins, give us a chance. Let's unite," he said.
Legal representatives for more than 2,500 Turkish victims of the violent conflict with the PKK have also been allowed to address the court.
Many said they wanted to see the Kurdish leader executed for the charge of treason which he faces.
![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/360000/images/_360426_ocalan_imrali150.jpg)
Lawyer Cengi Erkoyuncu said: "He has caused the death of thousands. He carried out a genocide. He caused hatred among the Turkish and Kurdish people. He made fear reign...That's why he should be sentenced to death."
But the PKK said the court proceedings were a show trial, designed to belittle their leader in order to satisfy the relatives of Turkish soldiers who had died.
A statement carried by the Kurdish DEM news agency said that the trial ignored the suffering inflicted on Kurdish families by Turkish security forces.
Lawyers defending Mr Ocalan boycotted court proceedings on Thursday, because they said the Turkish authorities were not taking their security concerns seriously.
'Nationalist attacks'
They were thrown out of their hotel the day before and returned to Istanbul, saying they were unable to return to Imrali, because no hotel in the area would allow them to stay.
The defence team said they and relatives of Mr Ocalan had been staying in the nearby city of Bursa but had been forced to leave their hotel after the owner received death threats.
![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/360000/images/_360426_lawyer150.jpg)
"Facing attacks from a nationalist inspired crowd outside their hotel under the eyes of police, the attorneys and the family members of Mr Ocalan were forced to leave Bursa in a hurry," the lawyers said in a statement.
The court has asked both legal teams to begin wrapping up their cases so that the three judges hearing the trial could come to a judgement next week.
The trial began on Monday, and it has been an eventful three days of hearings.
The Kurdish leader apologised for the deaths of several thousand members of the Turkish security forces in the struggle with the PKK since 1985.
He also offered to abandon the armed struggle, but he warned the PKK, which he leads, could escalate the conflict if necessary.
Relatives of the victims of PKK attacks have also confronted Mr Ocalan in highly-charged exchanges, moving many in court, including one judge, to tears.
Country profiles
Ocalan lawyers boycott trial
(03 Jun 99 | Europe)
Ocalan judge moved to tears
(02 Jun 99 | Europe)
Face to face with Ocalan
(02 Jun 99 | From Our Own Correspondent)
PKK backs Ocalan peace call
(02 Jun 99 | Europe)
Ocalan urges end to fighting
(01 Jun 99 | Europe)
The story of Ocalan's arrest
(20 Feb 99 | From Our Own Correspondent)
Turkish justice in the spotlight
(17 Feb 99 | Europe)
Republic of Turkey
Kurdish Workers' Party
Kurdistan Information Network
Ocalan Defence Team
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