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NEW YORK, United States - The United Nations on Monday denied reports that it will be supervising the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) disarmament process, as reported by Turkish media.
The PKK announced on Monday that it has decided to dissolve itself and lay down arms after months of talks with Ankara. Several Turkish opposition and pro-government media outlets reported that the disarmament process will be carried out under the auspices of the UN.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told Rudaw during a press briefing that such reports are untrue.
“That is, as far as I know, we've checked, notably with our colleagues at the UN Mission Iraq, and that is not the case. But obviously - I mean, that's the information that I have today. But as always, the UN stands ready to help and facilitate any movement towards peace,” Dujarric said.
“What I think is important is that everyone who signed on to this agreement agrees to the process, right? We want to be helpful. We don't need to impose ourselves if it's not helpful. I think the announcement came today. We've welcomed it. Let's see how we and the international community can help the process along,” he added.
However, he also said that Guterres welcomes the PKK’s landmark decision to give up the decades-long armed struggle against the Turkish state.
“This decision, if implemented, represents another important step towards a peaceful resolution of a long-standing conflict,” noted Dujarric.
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