Ankara deliberates PKK initiative

ANKARA, Turkey, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- More information on government plans to find a political reconciliation to the Kurdish issue will be revealed as early as this week, Ankara says.

Ankara is pushing ahead with a series of political and cultural initiatives intended to find a political solution to lingering disputes with the Kurdish minority.

The government aims to close militant camps in Iraq and shuttle surrendering rebels with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, into rehabilitation programs.

Turkey and the PKK have been engaged in hostilities for decades. The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party, or DTP, meanwhile, made relative gains on the ruling Justice and Development Party in local elections in March.

Members of the DTP announced independent plans to reach out to the public and the intellectual community to discuss the Kurdish initiative.

Interior Minister Besir Atalay told lawmakers more information on the government plan was slated for the parliamentary debate on the matter as early Friday, Turkey's English-language daily Hurriyet reports.

Meanwhile, as many as eight PKK rebels surrendered to Turkish authorities following returns initiated by PKK leaders in October.

Imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan called on some members to form so-called peace groups in an effort to move the reconciliation effort forward.

Ankara halted planned PKK returns from Europe, however, following disputes over welcoming celebrations for the militants in October.