270 Militants Apply to Come Back During First Day
Two terrorists entering Turkey at Habur Border Gate surrendered to security units, and one militant surrendered to Turkish Special Forces in northern Iraq. Pick-up Centers have been established in Hakkari, Silopi and Kirklareli, and state prosecutors have begun to interrogate some of the 180 terrorist applicants who were already detained.
Replying to the predictable criticism of the law from the families of martyrs, Minister of Internal Affairs Abdulkadir Aksu stated that Homecoming Law was not an amnesty, but an opportunity to reintegrate 5,000 PKK-KADEK militants into society. Members of illegal organizations will have six months in which to surrender and benefit from the law. After six months, Turkish and US troops will attack and eliminate the remaining PKK-KADEK presence in northern Iraq.
The Bush administration has voiced its support for the law, support some observers believe is based on American plans for stability in Iraq. With Kurdish terrorists gone from northern Iraq, Turkey will have no argument for a continued military presence there. The withdrawl of Turkish troops from the region will please and relieve the Kurdish administration there.
Surrendering militants will be housed at Silopi Elementary Boarding School in south-eastern Turkey. The school has been prepared to meet the food, clothing and related needs of the detainees. The commission in Silop overseeing arrangements for the terrorists is chaired by Habur Director of Civil Services and Sirnak Deputy-Governor Resul Celik, and includes Silopi Battalion Commander Bulent Yildirim and Silopi Chief State Prosecutor Guven Kara. The commission has announced that all preparations, including security measures, have been completed in both Silopi and Habur for the successful operation of the program.
