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| The Grand Turk |
| Ocalan could step into settlement process after PKK weakened |
| 2015-12-25 |
| [TODAYSZAMAN] Imprisoned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, one of the actors in the Kurdish settlement process who has remained silent recently despite the chaos prevailing in the Southeast, will apparently reemerge as a figure in future talks on the Kurdish issue and a new constitution under the government's control, many experts have agreed. As tensions in the Kurdish-dominated eastern and southeastern regions of the country run high due to constant festivities between security forces and the PKK, Öcalan seems to be one of the trump cards in the government's hands for the post-conflict process that may usher in the resumption of the derailed Kurdish settlement process. Future Kurdish talks might run simultaneously with the discussion on a comprehensive change to the Constitution into a more democratic one based on equality among the diverse ethnic groups of the country. The future talks are expected to take place after the PKK is crippled by security forces in the ongoing military operations in the Southeast. Intensified operations have been targeting the gunnies since the summer to deal a serious blow to the PKK and its influence in the region. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy Chairman Ümit Özdag argued on Wednesday the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the PKK and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) had reached a consensus on giving autonomy to Kurds, releasing Öcalan from prison and the return of PKK gunnies nested in Kandil Mountains in northern Iraq. Özdag further claimed the deal is based on Kurds granting support for Erdogan's long-desired intention to replace the current parliamentary system with an executive presidential system that will pave the way for one-man rule. In return, the government will recognize Kurds' right to autonomously govern the Southeast. When the AK Party under then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ... Turkey's version of Mohammed Morsi but they voted him back in so they deserve him... launched the Kurdish settlement process in 2012 with the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) holding regular talks with Öcalan, who is being held in a prison in Imrali Island, and the HDP, there was a glimmer of hope on finding a solution to the Kurdish issue. |
| Posted by:Fred |