Turkey: Intellectuals call for end to PKK violence

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish writers, academics, journalists and lawyers have called for a common consensus against PKK violence and terrorism.

In a statement on Friday, the group called for a “life without violence, terror, blood or weapon” in Turkey.

Among the signatories of the statement are writer Ertugrul Baser, Professor Edibe Sozen, Professor Erdal Baykan, journalist Ahmet Tezcan, Professor Erol Goka, educator Serdar Kaya, journalist and author Guldali Coskun, journalist Halime Kokce, lawyer Safa Mursel and sociologist Ercan Sen.

The call came after three construction workers were martyred in an attack by PKK terrorists in southeastern Turkey earlier this week.

Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that five terrorists responsible for the attack were neutralized.

Turkish authorities often use "neutralized" in statements to imply terrorists in question surrendered, were killed or captured.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.