16
January 1999
Dear
Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema,
First
of all, let me thank you for all the hospitality which I have enjoyed
over
the past two months in your country.
I would
like to express my deep regrets at the unjust pressure your
government
has been subjected to during the duration of my stay. However,
I firmly
believe that the legitimacy of our cause and its political
significance
will in the near future compensate for any problems
experienced
and that we will share the joy on that day.
I leave
your country of my own free will. The step which I took in coming to
Europe
was an important one and I still hope to return at a time when the
conditions
are matured enough to end this period in our struggle with a
just
and lasting peace. Hopefully, this
moment will be as a participant
in a
conference on the resolution of the Kurdish question.
Leaving
Rome is not a step backwards. On the contrary, it is taken to
create
the opportunity for a future initiative on the political solution
of the
Kurdish issue.
I
believe that the political solution of Kurdish question is the key to
attaining
peace in the Middle East. Consistent and practical policies by
the
European Union will assist Italy, which has taken a leading political
role, to find a resolution to the Kurdish
question. I assure you that my
organisation
will always be ready to co-operate both with Italy and with
the EU
for our common aim of peace.
I
believe that you are fully aware that our struggle is going through a
most
difficult and critical phase and that you will do all in your power
to
assist
us.
Finally,
I would like to take the opportunity to express my warmest thanks
and
gratitude to the Italian public for their generous support.
I wish
you and your government every success.
Best
regards,
(signed)
Abdullah
Ocalan
PKK
President
This
letter is translated from the Turkish original. The original letter
Can be
obtained from the ERNK office in Rome.
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