PESHMERGA TO ACCOMPANY THE PKK’S WITHDRAWAL FROM TURKEY

4.3.2013 –  SABAH – While the PKK’s European wing has responded affirmatively to the three-stage solution process proposed by PKK leader Öcalan; withdrawal, relinquishing weapons and full democracy and normalization, the terrorist organization’s faction in Kandil has delivered the message they are still ‘deliberating’ the plan.

A delegation consisting of BDP Co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Gültan Kışanak, Diyarbakır Deputy Altan Tan, Istanbul Deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder and DTP Co-chair Ahmet Türk headed for Northern Iraq to discuss PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s messages in recent talks as part of Turkey’s ongoing peace initiative.

Arbil will be taking on an active role in the PKK’s withdrawal from Turkey’s borders, the first stage in the solution process. While Arbil will be collaborating closely with Turkey during the ongoing process, the Peshmerga will be assisting the PKK terrorist organization withdraw from Turkey. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani’s Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Regional Administration leader Massoud Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) were influential in ensuring the committee’s meetings transpired in a confidential, safe and secure venue. The PKK’s leaders in Kandil, Murat Karayılan and Duran Kalkan, were also present for the talks. The delegation later returned to Arbil, where the Kurdish administration accepted a request to assist in the PKK’s withdrawal from Turkish borders.

Pervin Buldan has also returned from talks in Brussels’ with the organization’s European wing. Zübeyir Aydar , member of the KCK Executive Council has offered backing for the ongoing peace process, while the organization’s European wing also reiterated their support. The organization’s connections in Europe have announced they will be responding to Öcalan’s later within the next few days.

TWO DIFFERENT VOICES

While acting PKK leader Murat Karayılan has yet to make an official announcement regarding the ongoing process, Sülbüs Peri, one of the organization’s female administrators made an announcement as the meeting between the BDP and PKK leaders were still ongoing, stating, “A one-sided ceasefire or withdrawal is not possible. Without ensuring some sort of security and before the other side has taken a step, this won’t be possible.”