KT News and Comment: As expected, a highly significant statement by the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was released today, as millions of Kurds celebrate Newroz. Calling for a PKK ceasefire, Öcalan declared that: “It is time for arms to be silenced and ideas to speak. The bloodshed is going on, giving harm to all…
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Category Archives: PKK
PKK should only surrender to lasting peace
By Mufid Abdulla: The big news is that jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is about to issue an historic message to the Kurdish people, which will probably call for the disarmament of the PKK. Although there is still no transparent and detailed agenda for the peace process – such as the one outlined in Ocalan’s…
The PYD factor forces Turkey to have a peace process with the PKK
By Dr Aland Mizell: Let me be clear. I am for peace, and I support any step toward the peace process, because innocent people are paying the price. Therefore, I salute the BDP (Kurdish Peace Democratic Party), the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), and even the Turkish government for their courage in trying to end violence…
BDP envoys taking Ocalan’s message to PKK army council
KT News and Comment: A BDP delegation arrived in Suli yesterday, carrying a message from the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. The delegation, which includes BDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Gültan Kışanak and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chairs Ahmet Türk and Aysel Tuğluk, is due to meet the PKK army council based in the Qandil….
KRG must tell Erdogan to stop his war on Kurds
KT Comment: Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced this week that he is prepared to drink poison for peace. By his deeds, however, he must be judged. Throughout February the Turkish military has continued to bomb the Qandil valley. This has involved Turkish fighter jets invading Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) air space and terrorising civilians,…
Turkish media says that Ocalan is ‘proposing PKK withdrawal by August’
KT News: According to media reports – which first appeared in the pro-government Sabah and Star newspapers – the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is proposing the withdrawal of PKK fighters from Turkish territory by 15 August This would mark a critical stage in the current peace negotiations. Reuters reports that Ocalan has drafted a…
‘This visit is a historic step’: Ocalan
KT News: Making a short statement after the BDP delegation’s visit to Imrali island today, BDP group deputy chair Pervin Buldan quoted PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan as saying: “This visit is a historic step and all sides must act carefully and sensitively in this ongoing process. The state has PKK prisoners, so does the PKK…
BDP to report on latest talks with Ocalan
KT News: A delegation of three Kurdish politicians has today been meeting with the long-incarcerated PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, marking a new stage in the current peace process. BDP deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Pervin Buldan, Istanbul deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Diyarbakır deputy Altan Tan travelled from Istanbul this morning for İmralı island, where Öcalan…
Current peace negotiations between the Turkish Government and the PKK: A lesson for Turkey from the Philippines
By Dr. Aland Mizell: Ankara must overcome its fear of peace and be sincere with the PKK if it wants to end the violence. The peace process between the Turkish government and the PKK in Turkey has been lauded as a great sign of hope, both internationally and within Turkey. Previously hardcore White Turks (“Beyaz…
Turkey bombs the Kandil during peace talks
KT News and Comment: Once again Turkish fighter jets have crossed the border and bombarded the Kandil valley. Their latest attack has cut electricity supplies to three villages in the area. This offensive action happens at the same time as the Turkish government is in peace negotiations with the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Bookmark…
Open Letter to the French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira
Dear Mrs Christiane Taubira The arrest of the prominent Kurdish peace advocate Adem Uzun in Paris last year came as a great shock to us all as it coincided with progress towards the opening of peace talks between Turkey and the Kurds. Over 200 public figures, lawyers and politicians with expertise in the matter of…
Turkey keeps up pressure for PKK to disarm and withdraw its forces
KT News and Comment: The Turkish state appears to be stepping up its campaign for the PKK to disarm before any comprehensive peace negotiations have begun. There are reports in the Turkish media that jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan “might” call on PKK fighters to withdraw from north Kurdistan/Turkish territory over the next 10 days. Turkish…
BDP and PKK leadership must be involved in peace talks, says Demirtaş
KT News: Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş yesterday denied Turkish media reports that a delegation of three Kurdish politicians (Ahmet Türk, Ayla Akat and Sırrı Sakık) was about to visit jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan on his Imrali island prison. In a statement, Demirtaş said: “We request that you do not pay…
PKK not ready to disarm, says official
A PKK spokesperson today dismissed reports that the PKK is ready to lay down its weapons. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ahmet Deniz told Halwati newspaper that the PKK Armed Council is unhappy with Turkish media reports claiming that a four-point agreement was reached in recent talks between jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and the MIT (Turkish intelligence) which…
Ahmet Türk warns Erdogan
KT News and Comment: Ahmet Türk, an independent deputy who co-chairs the umbrella Democratic Society Congress (DTK), has urged prime minister Erdogan’s government to act sensibly in its dealing with Kurds, who make up twenty per cent of Turkey’s population. He told reporters that, especially while the MIT (Turkish intelligence) is negotiating with jailed PKK…
