Turkey's crisis with Ocalan

Chairman of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Jalal Talibani has said in a statement to the Paris-based al-Muharrir News that Turkey has realized its mistake in dealing with Ocalan issue with Syria, "He has been changed by going to Italy from a crisis for Syria with Turkey to a crisis for Turkey with Europe today and maybe with the world, tomorrow."

Talibani added that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad could calmly withdraw from the crisis, commenting that, "The Turkish President would have preferred Ocalan to return to Syria and for that he is ready to respond to any Syrian demand concerning waters." He added that Ocalan's presence in Syria involved of less damage and danger than his being in Italy as he is now.

Concerning the Kurds in Syria, Talibani said The Kurds are merging into the national and social life in Syria. "No Kurd has so far been prevented from his national right just because he is a Kurd."