German Ambassador Warns Former DEP Deputies

German Ambassador to Turkey Wolf Ruthart Born, who was unable to attend a dinner hosted by former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies on Monday, invited Leyla Zana and her friends to a breakfast yesterday.

Born and the former DEP deputies reportedly discussed the reforms in Turkey, Kurdish identity, European Union (EU) membership and the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization during the two-hour breakfast.

The Ambassador emphasized that the PKK is a terrorist organization. Accordingly, Born warned the former deputies at the breakfast 'to abstain from discourse that called to mind the terrorist organization [PKK].'

"The PKK is a terrorist organization and is recognized as such on the European Union's (EU) list of known terrorist organizations," said Born. "Distance yourself from this organization from now on. This is very important for your messages."

The German Ambassador then pointed out that Turkey had made great strides in its democratic initiatives.

Zana and her friends acknowledged that they support the reforms of the Turkish government and indicated that they [former DEP deputies] would play an important role in the new era of Turkish politics. The former DEP deputies added that Turks and Kurds who live in Turkey have become inseparable.

Zana and her friends then thanked the German Ambassador and expressed their belief that Germany would support Turkey's wish for a negotiation date with the EU. (YE)