Kurdish problem

Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair Ensarioğlu explains. He thinks an unconditional amnesty for rebel PKK members is a must but seperatist demands should also be out of agenda.

The Kurdish language is still not recognized by the Parliament, although there is a Kurdish TV channel on the state television now. The Parliament moved the Kurdish language from being an unknown language to a non-Turkish language in its record.

A military vehicle carrying the soldiers coming back from guard duty was attacked while passing through the Cizre district. The attack came right after the calls to end the war in the eastern Turkey. The PKK says they are continuing with the ceasefire.

The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) publishes a report about the Kurdish suggestions to end the Kurdish problem. The report touches upon many dimensions of the problem.

Democratic Society Party deputy claims that Turkey may recognize Kurds’ democratic rights and the PKK may stop fighting, if all the Kurds make a common call. An agreement has been reached for a common conference.

Famous transsexual singer Bülent Ersoy is acquitted of the accusation of “alienating people from military service”, which she faced for her words during a TV show that if she had a son she would not send him to the war with the PKK in the east.

Prosecutor Şahin demands prison sentences for the Diyarbakır mayor and the Democratic Society Party representative for describing the Kurdistan Workers Party militants as guerillas. The suspects say they were simply expressing the pain they felt over watching people from both sides get killed in this conflict.

The court sentences journalist Sarısözen for portraying the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) as the party of the revolt of the Kurdish people in his articles and therefore legitimizing its existence. The journalist held a press release to defend his right to portray the PKK in any way he likes.

The court sentences Leyla Zana for the statements picked from nine of her speeches. She is accused of doing propaganda for the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). The court deprived her of the right to elect and be elected.

Kurdish politician Elçi is hopeful that the discussion of the Kurdish problem in the media will dispel the prejudices. Sancar urges for unrestricted free discussion as the first condition of the solution.

Dr. Aktar discusses Defense Minister’s statement that “If the Greeks and the Armenians had stayed, today’s nation would not come into existence.” While agreeing with the minister's conclusion, Aktar emphasizes the same cannot be forced upon the Kurds.

The court has announced the legal background for its conviction of journalist Cengiz Kapmaz for publishing his interview with DEP deputy Orhan Doğan. Kapmaz was accused of doing propaganda for the PKK.

Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat, Vice Chairperson of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), has been removed from his position. Abdülkadir Aksu takes over his position.

Journalist Tayman of periodical Tempo is acquitted of the charge of “praising the criminal” in the Mehdi Zana case, but he is still on trial under article 301 for a charge of similar nature.

Pervin Buldan, Igdır deputy for the Democratic Society Party, says the Prime Minister makes harsh statements since he is worried about the elections. She says the Kurdish people have as much right as the Turkish people to live in this country.

The Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) corroborates the report by the General Staff regarding the Aktütün assault that there was no neglect, but denies that they were not successful.

Ufuk Uras, deputy for the Freedom and Solidarity Party, says the process of solving the Kurdish Problem does not have to wait for laying down the weapons.

The court sentenced publisher Ali Rıza Vural of Doz Publishing to “doing propaganda work for the Kurdish Workers Party” by publishing Hasan Bildirici’s novel that used the words “Kurd” and “Kurdish People.”

The women of the Women Workers Association (EKD) condemned the attack of the male prisoners on the female prisoners.

The Democratic Society Party (DTP) stands behind Ahmet Türk by stating that the text Türk read reflects the opinion of the party on the matter and emphasizes the importance of Abdullah Öcalan in the Kurdish problem.