U.S. State Department says no talks with PKKAugust 18, 2015 - 15:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Department of State has refuted a senior PKK figure’s remarks which recently appeared on British media that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was indirectly in talks with the U.S. amid the ongoing clashes with Turkey, Hurriyet Daily News reports. Spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. was in neither direct nor indirect talks with the PKK, adding the U.S.’ stance on the organization had not changed. “I can tell you that we are not in direct talks with the PKK - absolutely not. This is a foreign terrorist organization. We don’t sit down and have talks with the PKK. Nothing’s changed about our position on the PKK - that they need to renounce the violence, they need to resume a peace process and stop attacking the Turks inside Turkey,” Kirby said. In an interview with Daily Telegraph, Cemil Bayık, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Council co-chair and a senior figure within the organization, had said the PKK would accept a ceasefire under U.S. guarantees while referring to indirect talks with the U.S. “Of course there are messages, there are meetings, letters and they are likely to develop more,” Bayık had said. Photo: CNN Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |