August 30, 1998

Press Release

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PKK Declares Cease-Fire

Ocalan says, he does not want to classify his decision as one-sided

Taking part in a televised press conference live on Med TV, on August 28, 1998, Abdullah Ocalan, the President of PKK, Kurdistan Labor Party, declared a cease-fire effective on September 1, 1998.

Stating his reasons for their decision, "We believe in a civilized way of resolving this issue; we were neither weak nor strong to do what have decided to do. We hope our adversaries will show magnanimity towards our decision."

We were prompted to take this road because we were urged to do so by our friends and also because of European Parliament's recent decisions that promise some hope. Ocalan continued, "The duration of the cease-fire will be determined by the developments. We are in control of our guerrillas. There will be no attacks. But if we are attacked, we reserve the right of self-defense."

Referring to the new Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Ocalan stated that, he wanted to give him a chance.

Noting that the cease-fire should not be viewed as a tactical step, Ocalan continued by saying that he was pleased with the participation of the Turkish press at the teleconference and expressed his hope that the Turkish military will not initiate new operations from now on. Such a decision should not be construed as the withdrawal of the army from the region, on the contrary, "No one is questioning the authority of the army or the violability of the borders."

Commenting on the nature of an agreeable solution, Ocalan noted that, the state needs some restructuring: the Kurdish identity needs to be recognized constitutionally, the basic human rights coupled with [true] democratization need to be adopted. He went on to add, "The Turkish republic is celebrating its 75th year anniversary. :Let us give the country a break; let us situate it on stronger pillars."

When a reporter asked if he wanted independence or autonomy, Mr. Ocalan responded by saying that, "The trend in the world is towards globalization. Why should we take steps that will constrain us. If Turkey wants to be strong, it should resolve this problem."

Another reporter asked if his conflict with the KDP, Kurdistan Democratic Party, was ongoing? Mr. Ocalan responded by saying that, "I have urged the leadership of KDP for a dialog. I want the fighting to stop. The problems are complex." For a lasting solution, "A conference is needed", he said.

The war in Turkish Kurdistan has been ongoing for the last 14 years. By some estimates, as many as 40.000 people have died. This cease-fire is the third on the part of Kurdish leadership. The other cease-fires were declared in 1993 and 1995. Both were terminated when the Turkish authorities did not respond affirmatively.