Withdrawal Starts on May 8

Following an appeal from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, KCK Executive Council declared that PKK guerrillas within Turkey's border would gradually withdraw in groups starting from May 8. 

The declaration was announced through a media conference attended by Murat Karayılan, KCK Executive Council chairperson, Zeki Şengali, KCK Executive Council board member, and Hacer Zagros, Kongra Gel board member.

Karayılan said PKK guerrillas within Turkey's border would gradually withdraw in groups starting from May 8 and they would stop the pullout and defend themselves if they were confronted by any attack. 

6 "essential issues"

According to Fırat News Agency (ANF), KCK declared six "essential issues", a set of conditions that aimed secure the withdrawal process.

1- Our guerrilla forces will practice their withdrawal in a disciplined and organized manner with their initiative and by using the gateways that they have always utilized.

2- On the basis of ongoing preparations, the withdrawal will begin on 8 May 2013. The withdrawal is planned to be held in groups and completed in the shortest time within the framework of guerrillas' roaming manner, stealth and discipline.

3- Our forces will ultimately base in Iraqi Kurdistan following the withdrawal. We are expecting, first of all, the Federate Kurdistan Government and all other related forces to respect the official presence of withdrawing guerrilla forces.

4- It is also necessary for the Turkish Armed Forces to have a similar respect and sensibility during the withdrawal. Any attack, operation, air strike will result in the immediate suspension of the withdrawal and retaliation within the basis of self-defense.

5- While the guerrilla forces withdraw, it is essential that Turkish state forces do not engage in any military activities or provocations, and involve in any opportunist approaches. In addition to this, it is important to be mindful on the issues that we have underlined to our Leader and which are within the knowledge of [Turkish] state.

6- It will be useful to have independent delegations to observe the process in order to detect the errors that might be caused by both sides and ensure a health withdrawal process.

A three-stage process

The declaration underlined a three-stage process which was named as democratic resolution process.

Saying that the first stage would complete after the full withdrawal of PKK guerrillas, the declaration announced the second and third stage as follows:

“On the second stage, a series of constitutional reforms will give birth to the conditions in the genuine democratization of Turkey and the resolution of Kurdish problem. It is necessary to eliminate entities like village guard, special team and private army, and create conditions in harmony with a democratic civil society environment.

“It is essential to draft a new constitution that will democratize Turkey, end the denial of Kurdish people and accept their existence and freedom, ensure the rights and freedoms of all faiths and sects, and establish equilibrium.

"On the third stage, the 'normalization process' will begin. This process is the process of perpetuation of peace, societal reconciliation, freedom and equality. Upon the emancipation of everyone including our Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan], it will also bring the discussion on complete farewell to arms and guerrillas' demilitarization." (EKN/BM)