KURDISH MILITANT LEADER EYES AUGUST WITHDRAWAL FROM TURKEY – REPORTS
February 27, 2013 – 12:30 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan
envisages the withdrawal of his fighters from Turkey by August
under a draft peace plan sent to his group’s leadership and Kurdish
politicians, media reports said on Wednesday, February 27, according
to Reuters.
Held in an island jail since his capture in 1999, Ocalan has been
negotiating with Turkey’s government since October over the outlines
of a deal to end a conflict which has killed 40,000 people since his
fighters took up arms in 1984.
Under the plan, to which his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) is expected
to respond within two weeks, the rebels would begin a formal ceasefire
on March 21, the Kurdish New Year, said the Sabah and Star newspapers,
which are close to the government.
The newspaper reports said Ocalan’s plan proposed maintaining Turkey’s
unitary structure, with no demand for Kurdish autonomy.
The PKK took up arms in 1984 with the aim of carving out a Kurdish
state, but subsequently moderated its goal to limited self-rule. It
is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and
European Union.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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