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Abdullah Ocalan: Kurdish leader to announce Turkey peace plan Abdullah Ocalan: Kurdish leader to announce Turkey peace plan
(35 minutes later)
The jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan is set to announce details of a keenly anticipated peace plan with Turkey.The jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan is set to announce details of a keenly anticipated peace plan with Turkey.
The statement, released to mark the Kurdish new year, is expected to be read out by members of a pro-Kurdish party who visited him on Thursday. The statement is expected to be read out by pro-Kurdish politicians who visited him on Thursday.
It comes amid hopes of a breakthrough in attempts at ending the conflict.
Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been waging a 30-year armed struggle for Kurdish independence.Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been waging a 30-year armed struggle for Kurdish independence.
He has been in prison since 1999 serving a life sentence for treason. A ceasefire has been in place since 2013, and there are hopes for a permanent end to the conflict.
More than 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, have died in fighting for a Kurdish homeland in Turkey's south-east.More than 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, have died in fighting for a Kurdish homeland in Turkey's south-east.
Ocalan has been in prison since 1999 serving a life sentence for treason.
'Practical details''Practical details'
The content of Ocalan's message has not been released, but Sirri Sureyya Onder, from the People's Democratic Party (HDP), one of those who visited the rebel leader, gave some clues.The content of Ocalan's message has not been released, but Sirri Sureyya Onder, from the People's Democratic Party (HDP), one of those who visited the rebel leader, gave some clues.
"It will be a road map for the nation and the region, with theoretical and practical details on the peace process," he told AFP."It will be a road map for the nation and the region, with theoretical and practical details on the peace process," he told AFP.
The statement is due to be read out in the city of Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish-populated city in eastern Turkey, amid huge Newroz, or new year, celebrations.The statement is due to be read out in the city of Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish-populated city in eastern Turkey, amid huge Newroz, or new year, celebrations.
Ocalan made another significant announcement last month, calling for supporters to attend a conference "aimed at ending the armed struggle".Ocalan made another significant announcement last month, calling for supporters to attend a conference "aimed at ending the armed struggle".
He also declared a ceasefire in 2013 that holds despite ongoing mistrust between the two sides.He also declared a ceasefire in 2013 that holds despite ongoing mistrust between the two sides.
Stumbling blocks remain. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, angered some Kurds by saying the country "never had a Kurdish problem".Stumbling blocks remain. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, angered some Kurds by saying the country "never had a Kurdish problem".
Turkey is facing parliamentary elections later this year, with analysts suggesting Mr Erdogan's comments were an attempt to shore-up nationalist support.Turkey is facing parliamentary elections later this year, with analysts suggesting Mr Erdogan's comments were an attempt to shore-up nationalist support.