Kurdish Politicians Apply to Meet Öcalan

Peace and Democracy Party co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş said the appointment delegation would include co-chairs of Peace and Democracy Party and Democratic Society Congress.

"We have applied to the Ministry of Justice before," Demirtaş said. "But our efforts yielded no results. This time, we believe that our request will be accepted."

Demirtaş underscored the importance of their participation in the Imrali process--the ongoing detente and negotiations between Turkish state and PKK. "If our request will be approved, we will head to Imrali island and meet Öcalan."

Demirtaş Also reminded last week's meeting where Öcalan received deputies Ahmet Türk and Ayla Akat Ata, which he suggested to "bring a positive climate".

"All sides agree that Öcalan should be included in the negotiation process. So there was never a problem to initiate dialogue for the resolution of the Kurdish problem. This positive climate for a peaceful and democratic resolution should not be exploited." (EKN)