Turkey keeps up pressure for PKK to disarm and withdraw its forces

KT News and Comment:

PKK fighters

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 Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told reporters yesterday that, if the PKK lays down its arms, the state will ensure the safety of disarmed guerrillas – unlike what has happened in the past when they were shot dead by the army.

There are also more reports of plans for a meeting between Turkish officials and the PKK leadership based in the Qandil mountains. It is said this meeting will be held in Erbil, south Kurdistan. A spokesman for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) told the BBC: “If we need to offer support or play a role to contribute to a solution of this problem, we will do our best to fulfill this role”.

However, the PKK Army Council issued a statement last week denying that it has agreed to these talks. Furthermore, although the latest report about Ocalan is unconfirmed, our PKK sources have indicated that there is dissatisfaction within the ranks over his role in the talks so far.

Concerning the KRG’s role, observers are concerned that history can repeat itself. In the late eighties, PUK leader Jalal Talabani tried to broker negotiations between the Iranian state and the IKPD (Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran). However, this ended with the assassination of IKPD leader Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou by Iranian agents.

If Erdogan is really genuine about peace, it is not impossible for him to show the whole world what kind of peace he has in mind. Until now, all he is doing is call on the PKK to surrender.