Turkish goverment should keep up talks with Ocalan, says Talabani
Turkish goverment should keep up talks with Ocalan, says Talabani
Irak President Celal Talabani stated that Turkish government should continue its talks with PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) Leader Abdullah Öcalan and establish an agreement with PKK.
Attending the Socialist International meetings in France’s capital city Paris, Talabani answered the questions of Aslý Aydýntaþbaþ from Milliyet paper.
Talabani answered a question concerning the uncertainty of the forward steps despite PKK’s ceasefire declaration, as follows; “The forward step includes not only a ceasefire declaration of PKK, but also stopping the armed struggle completely and going into political action. The ceasefire won’t be enough. PKK should lay down arms as a whole and go into political action”.
Talabani said; “And the government should prolong the contacts with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on the other hand and accord a treatment with PKK since they no more demand independence now and accept the democracy. This problem can be solved only in this way”.
Stating his frendship with Turkey, Talabani indicated that he is ready to do his part for a peaceful solution and for an ending to violence. Talabani said; “But we must get a move on. We need patient. The ceasefire till 2011 is positive. Now (after 2011), the new constitution will be more democratic”.
Referring to Turkey’s policies in the government formation process in Iraq, Talabani said that Ankara backed the wrong horse and fell outside the process while trying to support the coalition founded by Allawi. Talabani said; “I don’t know who was behind this policy but Turkey’s policy on Iraq was wrong and didn’t succeed as well”.
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
Attending the Socialist International meetings in France’s capital city Paris, Talabani answered the questions of Aslý Aydýntaþbaþ from Milliyet paper.
Talabani answered a question concerning the uncertainty of the forward steps despite PKK’s ceasefire declaration, as follows; “The forward step includes not only a ceasefire declaration of PKK, but also stopping the armed struggle completely and going into political action. The ceasefire won’t be enough. PKK should lay down arms as a whole and go into political action”.
Talabani said; “And the government should prolong the contacts with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on the other hand and accord a treatment with PKK since they no more demand independence now and accept the democracy. This problem can be solved only in this way”.
Stating his frendship with Turkey, Talabani indicated that he is ready to do his part for a peaceful solution and for an ending to violence. Talabani said; “But we must get a move on. We need patient. The ceasefire till 2011 is positive. Now (after 2011), the new constitution will be more democratic”.
Referring to Turkey’s policies in the government formation process in Iraq, Talabani said that Ankara backed the wrong horse and fell outside the process while trying to support the coalition founded by Allawi. Talabani said; “I don’t know who was behind this policy but Turkey’s policy on Iraq was wrong and didn’t succeed as well”.
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
