New PKK Cease-Fire?

[kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu]

From: mail06672 at pop.net (AKIN)

(We received the following from the Kurdistan Committee in Brussels.)

Press Release
September 18, 1995

Abdullah Ocalan, the chair of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), in a live
interview on the Kurdish television station MED-TV, announced that he
would renew his call for a cease-fire as he had done back in 1993. From
March 17 to June 8, 1993, the PKK observed a unilateral cease-fire which
lasted for 83 days. The Turkish government, however, responded to this
peace effort with more violence.

PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan has repeatedly proven his willingness to find a
peaceful and political solution to the Kurdish question, and he has always
been consistent in insisting on a political dialogue. Ocalan has stated
that the true interests of both the Kurdish and the Turkish peoples can
only be secured through peace.

PKK Chair Abdullah Ocalan:
"We Want To Re-Start The 1993 Cease-Fire In Order To Prove Our Good Intentions"

"I make this announcement especially for members of the press, and the
Turkish media are included in this.  At this time, Deniz Baykal, the
newly-elected chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP), is moving into
his position in the coalition government. By means of the Kurdish
television station MED-TV, I would like to announce an initiative to pave
the way for the government to respond in a positive manner.

"Prof. Dogu Ergil and his friends, I understand, have begun a signature
campaign to call for peace. The esteemed Ismail Nacar requests the same
from us. There are other peace initiatives out there, and, as I have said,
there is a new leadership in the CHP. In addition to this, the military
has come to the realization that its policies are leading nowhere. All
Turkish patriots and democrats can see that the military operations are
pushing Turkey into a dead-end. Everyone agrees that Turkey is in a
quagmire. Apart from a gang of warmongers, no one is happy about this. It
is also worthwhile to note the Tomris Ozden incident. What she said about
the colonel is correct. According to our information, the colonel was a
symbol who represented a particular school of thought in the army. He knew
the politics of the village guards and those of the MHP and the special
teams, and how these have harmed the interests of the state. Now, heads
may roll within the armed forces. The woman really means this; these are
not empty words. One could almost say that there are camps forming within
the army. A great deal of soul-searching is going on. In order to prove
our good will, we want to re-start the 1993 cease-fire. We know that there
are people who are interested in this. In order to give them the chance to
raise their voices and enter into a dialogue with us, this will be an
opportunity for them to do so. 

"The European Union is set to make a decision soon regarding Turkey, and
we would like them to know that we are not the problem and that we are on
record for wishing to seek a political solution, and if need be we are
willing to renew the cease-fire. If Turkey does not plan to respond to
such a gesture with more violence, then we will take this step soon and we
will make an announcement."

-- 
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