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Ocalan's trial began May 31

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June 24, 1999
Web posted at: 12:17 a.m. EDT (0417 GMT)

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IMRALI ISLAND, Turkey (CNN) -- The Turkish treason trial of Abdullah Ocalan neared its end Wednesday as the Kurdish rebel leader made his final formal statement in court, again offering to negotiate a peace pact between the rebels and the government if he is allowed to live.

"From now on, what I can do in my life is to create a new peace and brotherhood process," he said during a two-hour speech. Ocalan is expected to receive a death sentence.

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His Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has waged an armed battle for self-rule in mostly Kurdish southeastern Turkey since about 1984. Turks almost universally blame Ocalan for more than 37,000 deaths during the fighting. Most of those killed were Kurdish civilians or guerrillas.

In his statements Wednesday, Ocalan put the blame on Turkey, saying the violence could end if the Ankara government granted the Kurds cultural rights -- particularly by withdrawing its ban on Kurdish-language broadcasts and education. A ban on speaking Kurdish was lifted in 1991.

Ocalan warns of bloodbath if he dies

"Even the smallest obstacle is enough to spark these uprisings," Ocalan said. "The most important of these is the language ban. It provokes this uprising."

While offering to work for peace, Ocalan warned that Turkey could expect a bloodbath if he is executed.

"If capital punishment is inflicted, there will be negative consequences; a lot of blood will flow," Ocalan told the Rome daily La Repubblica in an interview conducted through his lawyers.

Mothers of Turkish soldiers killed by Kurdish rebels from Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers Party watch the proceedings

In the field, PKK leaders said they will support Ocalan's call for peace -- but echo his warnings of intensified violence if an execution is carried out.

Turkey considers Ocalan a terrorist. His trial has evoked emotional responses from family members of some who died in the separatist violence. One person fainted during Wednesday's proceedings.

Parliament must OK any death sentence

The three-judge panel is considered likely to ask for the death penalty. But for such a penalty to be carried out, it must hold up on appeal and be ratified by parliament.

But Turkey, the only European country that still has the death penalty, has not executed anyone since 1984, and may not want to do so at this time.

When court reconvenes Thursday, Ocalan's lawyers will make their final pleas. The judges will then ask Ocalan for any final words before rendering a verdict.

The judges could pronounce their verdict immediately, but are more likely to call a recess until early next week.

Correspondent Andrew Finkel and Reuters contributed to this report.