Kışanak: PKK Will Release State Officers

"We have met KCK Executive Secretary Murat Karayılan in Qandil Mountain who pledged to release Turkish public officers captured in 2011," Peace and Democracy Party Co-Chairperson Kışanak said. 

Turkey's Kurdish deputies  launched a trip to Iraq's Kurdish region to meet local government representatives in Suleymaniye and Erbil, CNNTürk said. 

According to Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, PKK captured 8 Turkish state workers including army officers, governor candidates and policeman. 

 "We went to Qandil Mountain to meet Murat Karayılan and other representatives. They will return our demand in 10 days. They pledged to launch a process on the captured Turkish public workers. As PDP, we will continue our efforts for the release of these individuals. I hope it will happen in 10 days," Kışanak said at a press conference in Erbil.  

On the other hand, Aysel Tuğuk, an independent deputy, said they submitted a letter to KCK committee which included messages from Abdullah Öcalan, PKK leader.  

"We were pleased to see KCK's willingness for peace even though Turkish Army bombarded their headquarters two days ago. We are more hopeful about the process now," Tuğluk said.  

Lastly, independent deputy Ahmet Türk urged the parties to respond each others' positive steps towards peace.  

"Peace will come quicky if the steps are taken. We acknowledge Öcalan here. All Turkish and Kurdish parties should also play their roles to establish a lasting peace in Turkey." (EKN/BM)