Should the Turkish Government Break The Law For Peace?
Although Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyep Erdogan insists that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) should withdraw from Turkey without their weapons, this is not likely to happen, writes Kadri Gursel.
![Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a news conference in Ankara Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a news conference in Ankara October 19, 2011. Turkish troops killed 15 Kurdish militants in clashes in southeast Turkey near the Iraqi border on Wednesday after attacks by the rebels which killed 26 soldiers, security officials in the region told Reuters. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR2SUBU](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2013/04/RTR2SUBU-001.jpg/RTR2SUBU-001.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=TeN_eAmf)
Security and disarmament dimensions of the peace process between the Turkish government and the PKK have had three critical thresholds, each more decisive than the last: First a cease-fire, then the withdrawal of armed PKK forces from Turkey and, finally, the PKK fully disarming.
We are now in the first phase of a cease-fire. This, the easiest phase, is proceeding successfully.