Ocalan's Words Expose Risks To PKK-Turkey Peace Plan

Kadri Gursel writes on how the letters of Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned head of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), signal both a first step in building confidence and the difficulties to achieving a final agreement.
Pro-Kurdish politicians Sirri Sureyya Onder (3rd R), Pelvin Buldan (2nd R) and Altan Tan (R), are surrounded by media members before leaving for Imrali island in Istanbul February 23, 2013. A delegation of pro-Kurdish politicians left for Imrali island to meet with imprisoned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan. Turkey launched tentative negotiations with PKK leader Ocalan in his jail on Imrali island near Istanbul in October, drawing up a framework to end a conflict which has killed more t
Pro-Kurdish politicians Sirri Sureyya Onder (3rd R), Pelvin Buldan (2nd R) and Altan Tan (R), are surrounded by reporters before leaving for Imrali island in Istanbul, Feb. 23, 2013. - REUTERS
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Kadri Gürsel
@KadriGursel
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The first concrete moves within the framework of revitalized peace talks between Turkey's AKP government and Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned founding leader of the Kurdish movement PKK, which has been waging armed insurrection against the central authority for 29 years, are expected to come from the PKK.

What has been reported about the long meeting between three members of Parliament of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and Ocalan at  the Imrali Island Prison, where he is serving a life sentence, led to expectations in Turkish public opinion in two key areas: hostage releases and a cease-fire.

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