CUMHURIYET- Columnist Mustafa Balbay comments on close contacts between the terrorist organization PKK and certain Western countries. A summary of his column is as follows:
Abdullah Ocalan was brought to Turkey three years ago. Since then terrorist organization PKK has been seeking new methods to continue its activities. Since everyday seems to bring about new developments in Turkey and Turkish people have a weak social memory, unfortunately we often fail to take lessons from the past when making decisions on new developments. General Atilla Ates, the former Commander of the Turkish Land Forces in 1988, said in a speech to military units: “We are fully aware of the support Syria is currently lending to terrorist organizations. We are getting impatient...” After all high-level officials issued similar messages on the relations between Syria and terrorists, Ocalan was no longer able to take shelter in Syria in 1988. After leaving Syria, he allegedly hid himself in Athens, Moscow, Rome, Rotterdam, Basel, Milano and Nairobi. He was taken from Kenya Embassy in Athens and brought to Turkey in February 15, 1999. Three years have passed since then...The PKK has been recently trying to change its methods. Certain European institutions backed by Western states are suggesting the PKK to pursue the following methods:
Find another name which would not irritate anyone. - Fight for your cultural rights. The EU would support such efforts. - Abandon your weapons, but do not destroy all of them, find another name for your militant groups. Do not use the title of Kurdistan in your congresses.
A number of Belgian parliamentarians met with Osman Ocalan in northern Iraq. They reportedly recommended similar proposals to PKK militants. They also said:
Establish new relations with the Kurdish people!
There is no doubt that certain circles are dissatisfied since an ethnic war was not waged in Turkey during 15 years of terror!
The truth is quite clear now:
The PKK is not just backed by the Western countries, but those countries are embracing it with open arms!
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION