Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) Letter To The Organization For Security And Cooperation In Europe (OSCE)

November 1, 1999

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: OSCE summit in Istanbul, 18-19 November 1999

The forthcoming OSCE summit in Istanbul on 18 November 1999 coincides with a crucial turning point in the long history of conflict between the Turkish and Kurdish inhabitans of modern Turkey. The failure of the Lausanne Treaty (1923) to resolve the Kurdish question, and the subsequent partition of Kurdistan among Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, arrested Kurdish national development and forced Kurds to live as second class citizens under the tutelage of the other peoples of the Middle East. This state of affairs was maintained by a reign of terror, violence, and cruelty, leading to periodic Kurdish uprisings against the oppressive governments, most notably in Turkey. The repression of Kurds has led to great moral and material losses on Kurds. When our party, the PKK, reacted to continuing Turkish oppression, the Turkish state waged an extremely brutal war against the Kurdish people. Nevertheless, since 1993, Kurdish leaders have responded to the Turkish government with calls for a peaceful resolution of differences on the basis of fundamental human rights. With very few exceptions, Kurds have insisted on a democratic and peaceful resolution, and they have abandoned all armed struggle since August 1999. They have even withdrawn their military forces to territories outside the borders of Turkey. This gesture, which should be seen as the high point in our people's struggle for democratic goverment, contributes to the present historic opportunity for peaceful reconciliation of differences, the establishment of a democratic process in Turkey, greater economic development, as well as stability for the entire Middle East.
Despite the Turkish government's continuing antagonism, it is still our wish to resolve differences within the present borders of Turkey, on the basis of free and equal association, a common homeland, constitutional citizenship, and democratic government. Without a solution to the Kurdish issue, there will be no security and stability in the entire Middle East. The Kurdish question can only be resolved by implementing the Copenhagen Criteria and by providing constitutional safeguards for Kurds in modern Turkey. The Kurds, under their first modern leader, Abdullah Öcalan, wish to leave behind all sorrow and to work towards an honourable peace.
The Kurdish question is on the agenda of the upcoming OSCE summit in Turkey. This is a historic opportunity to address this vexing question at this crucial turning point in history. We urge the OSCE summit to initiate steps, and to implement appropriate measures, for the implementation ist fundamental principles, particularly the Copenhagen Criteria, for a peaceful solution of the Kurdish issue. The Kurds have made great sacrifices and acted responsibly for an equitable end to the present conflict. They expect the international community and the OSCE member states to play a similar responsibile role in this matter.
We, on behalf of our people, trusting your Excellency's sensitivity on such matters, ask you to make every effort during the upcoming OSCE summit to encourage Turkey to lift the death sentence over Abdullah Öcalan, to respond positively to our efforts for peace, and to set up a special committee to monitor the human rights situation in the southeast of Turkey.

PKK European Section