ISTANBUL, Turkey, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Turkey and pro-Kurdish politicians are attempting to create a permanent cease-fire with the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party, authorities say.
A unilateral period of non-action declared and then extended by the outlawed PKK is drawing to a close amid a flurry of meetings and negotiations, the Hurriyet Daily News reported Monday.
The government's attempt to convince the PKK to lay down its arms sent Interior Minister Besir Atalay to the northern Iraqi city of Arbil and will also see him meet with civil-society representatives in southeastern Anatolia, the newspaper said.
As the government tries to resolve the terrorism problem through negotiations, pro-Kurdish politician Aysel Tugluk met with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan Monday to try and achieve what she termed a "lasting peace."
"I hope this meeting will be beneficial for our country and our rights," Tugluk said before the visit, which came amid reports the government is also talking to the PKK head.
