Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: epicure who wrote (24784)	8/8/2003 8:36:32 PM
From: epicure	Respond to of 89467

Kurdish Rebels Reject Turkish Amnesty By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 8:06 p.m. ET ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Kurdish guerrillas rejected a government amnesty program, calling it a ploy to dissolve their outlawed group, a pro-Kurdish news agency reported Friday. The rebels also threatened to end a four-year unilateral truce unless Turkey accepts the cease-fire. Turkey is unlikely to do so, and the rebel announcement signaled that the guerrillas could renew their violent push for autonomy in southeast Turkey. Advertisement ``The ongoing unilateral cease-fire will be ineffective if Turkey does not ... agree to it by Sept. 1,'' the Mesopotamian news agency quoted the outlawed group PKK, which now calls itself KADEK, as saying. The amnesty went into effect this week. Turkish authorities said about 500 Kurdish rebels, most of whom already serving time in Turkish prisons, applied for the amnesty. ``KADEK ... has decided to reject this amnesty,'' the group said. The group claimed that its members would be free to make their own choice whether to accept it, but it was unlikely that militants would dare to contradict the will of the leadership. The amnesty promises pardons for rebels who have not been involved in any violence. Those involved in armed attacks could have their prison terms reduced if they provide information about the group. For example, a life sentence could be reduced to nine years in prison. The United States, which brands the Kurdish rebel group a a terrorist organization, welcomed the amnesty, saying it will help provide stability in Iraq and the region. According to Turkish intelligence sources, an estimated 4,500 Kurdish rebels are holed up in northern Iraq. A few hundred reportedly operate in southeastern Turkey -- where the a bloody war for autonomy has left 37,000 people dead since 1984. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------