INTERNATIONAL PEACE INITIATIVE (IPI)

PRESS CONFERENCE
 

Monday 3rd December, 10h30, International Press Centre, Maelbeek Room

Résidence Palace, Rue de la Loi n.155, 1040 Brussels (B)

Launch of the International Peace Initiative

and call from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

for the Resumption of Dialogue on the Kurdish question in Turkey

The Secretariat of the IPI invites you attend a press conference to launch The International Peace Initiative on Monday 3rd December 2012 @10h30 at the Residence Palace in Brussels.

This initiative is launched with the support of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. To mark the occasion, he and a list of eminent signatories including Nobel Peace Prize recipients and former heads of state and of government from the United States, Europe and Asia, including East Timor and Tibet, have issued a joint call for a Resumption of Dialogue between Turkey and the PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, for a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue in Turkey. This statement will be read out and distributed at the press conference.

The launch of the International Peace Initiative coincides with the more than 700 Kurdish prisoners ending their hunger strike. This followed a call made to them by the PKK leader Öcalan from his prison on İmrali Island. Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin told reporters in Ankara recently that, “Talks would be held with the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hinted at talks with the PKK leader Öcalan, admitting that the Kurdish leader’s call has been effective in the ending of the hunger strike by political prisoners in Turkey’s prison.

The International Peace Initiative has been formed in response to statement of Archbishop Tutu: “That it is for this reason that we call on the parties to take the necessary steps to restart the talks in good faith with the aim of giving democracy and peace a new chance for the sake of all the people of Turkey.”

The object of the International Peace Initiative is to appeal to the international community to support the call of Archbishop Tutu for the Resumption of Dialogue by placing the issue on the international agenda; assisting the parties to gain trust and respect and negotiating a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey. It will not only bring peace and stability to those who live in Turkey but also to the wider region.

Contact Details:
Anna Irvin, Co-ordinator, Secretariat of IPI  airvin@ipi.net.in  +44 207 193 0832