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TURKEY ENTERS KEY WEEK IN KURDISH SOLUTION BID
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/02/18/turkey-kurdish-issue/
Turkey is entering one of its most crucial weeks in its efforts to
solve the Kurdish question amid expectations surrounding new judicial
reforms and visits to theKurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader, but
the premier has warned against possible sabotage, the Hurriyet Daily
News reported.
The significance of this week is due in part to expectations that the
government is expected to complete its deliberations on the fourth
judicial package before submitting it to Parliament, which could
result in the releases of many jailed Kurdish politicians, as well as
anticipation of a second meeting between a Peace and Democracy Party
(BDP) delegation and Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo an was set to decide on the names
of the BDP delegation late yesterday.
"A very big atmosphere of hope has developed across all of
Turkey. Believe me, this crowd today is voicing hope the way [the
Black Sea province of] Rize is voicing it. Istanbul and Ankara are as
hopeful as you are. Let's not waste this hope. Let's not allow those
who would kill this process [to succeed]," Erdogan said yesterday
during an address to voters in the southeastern province of Mardin.
Erdogan spent the weekend in the province, where he attended the
opening ceremonies of numerous projects accompanied by several
ministers, including his new interior minister, Muammer Guler, who
is from the area.
Following days of uncertainty as to the date of the BDP's second visit
to Imrali island, where Ocalan is serving a life sentence, Justice
Minister Sadullah Ergin announced that it could occur this week after
he receives an official application from the BDP. Erdohan said on
Sunday morning that the names had been provided to the government and
that they would provide a decision later in the day. The peace process
is being coordinated by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT),
which has been in constant talks with Ocalan since December 2012.
Kurdish lawmakers Ahmet Turk and Ayla Akat Ata conducted the first
visit to Erdogan on Jan. 3, but the Turkish premier vetoed Turk for
the second visit because he subsequently criticized military strikes
in the southeast. The BDP has pressed for the delegation to include
one of the party's co-chairpersons, Selahattin DemirtaÅ? or Gultan
KıÅ?anak, but the latter is said to have no chance of going after
being photographed embracing militants last summer. Alongside Demirtas,
BDP deputy Pervin Buldan is in the running to join the delegation.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/02/18/turkey-kurdish-issue/
Turkey is entering one of its most crucial weeks in its efforts to
solve the Kurdish question amid expectations surrounding new judicial
reforms and visits to theKurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader, but
the premier has warned against possible sabotage, the Hurriyet Daily
News reported.
The significance of this week is due in part to expectations that the
government is expected to complete its deliberations on the fourth
judicial package before submitting it to Parliament, which could
result in the releases of many jailed Kurdish politicians, as well as
anticipation of a second meeting between a Peace and Democracy Party
(BDP) delegation and Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo an was set to decide on the names
of the BDP delegation late yesterday.
"A very big atmosphere of hope has developed across all of
Turkey. Believe me, this crowd today is voicing hope the way [the
Black Sea province of] Rize is voicing it. Istanbul and Ankara are as
hopeful as you are. Let's not waste this hope. Let's not allow those
who would kill this process [to succeed]," Erdogan said yesterday
during an address to voters in the southeastern province of Mardin.
Erdogan spent the weekend in the province, where he attended the
opening ceremonies of numerous projects accompanied by several
ministers, including his new interior minister, Muammer Guler, who
is from the area.
Following days of uncertainty as to the date of the BDP's second visit
to Imrali island, where Ocalan is serving a life sentence, Justice
Minister Sadullah Ergin announced that it could occur this week after
he receives an official application from the BDP. Erdohan said on
Sunday morning that the names had been provided to the government and
that they would provide a decision later in the day. The peace process
is being coordinated by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT),
which has been in constant talks with Ocalan since December 2012.
Kurdish lawmakers Ahmet Turk and Ayla Akat Ata conducted the first
visit to Erdogan on Jan. 3, but the Turkish premier vetoed Turk for
the second visit because he subsequently criticized military strikes
in the southeast. The BDP has pressed for the delegation to include
one of the party's co-chairpersons, Selahattin DemirtaÅ? or Gultan
KıÅ?anak, but the latter is said to have no chance of going after
being photographed embracing militants last summer. Alongside Demirtas,
BDP deputy Pervin Buldan is in the running to join the delegation.