Is Pkk Abandoning Ocalan?

STAR- Columnist Murat Celik writes on the recent activities regarding the PKK front. A summary of his column is as follows:
The PKK is preparing for a new era. The organization is continuing to discuss ‘Strategies for the Politicization Process’. It is determining policies not only by itself but with the help of the politicians from such countries as France, Gemany and the Netherlands. The decisions which will be finalized in Europe will be conveyed to the international community through the Eighth PKK Congress. A change in the name of the organization is also expected to be proclaimed. The recent news seems to show that there is a disagreement over ‘Abdullah Ocalan.’ The European representative of the group, Riza Altun, sent a message to Abdullah’s brother Osman Ocalan saying, that he had met with the officials of the countries he cited. ‘They laid out the resolutions which must be taken so that the PKK could overcome its current troubles and so that some countries could ease their policies towards it. The following decisions must be taken and proclaimed at the congress, otherwise serious troubles may emerge.’ The message of the PKK European representative is clear: Europe is dictating to the PKK what it is going to do and if its conditions are not met, it will not support the organization as before. Europe is looking for a PKK without Ocalan. The conditions they have listed are , first the new name of the organization should not disturb anyone. Second, the PKK armed forces should be renamed ‘National Defense Forces.’ Third, there should be no compromise in the demands for Kurdish education or from the mention of ‘Kurd’ in identity cards. Fourth, the expression ‘Kurdistan’ should not be used in the congress decision but should rather wait for developments in Iraq to play out. Fifth, it should be stated that the PKK is ready to abandon arms but that a general amnesty should be granted to all PKK members, except Abdullah Ocalan. In other words Europe knows full well that there is no question of an amnesty being granted to Ocalan. There is no place for him in a politicized PKK looking towards future. Europe is trying to mold the PKK in a form of its desiring. Until this final form is given, they are delaying the members of the PKK in advance without drawing any reactions. Therefore the eight congress of the PKK is of great importance.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION