Kurdish rebel chief urges 'meaningful' peace talks

[Aslan]

ANKARA, Turkey — The imprisoned leader of the Kurdish rebels has called for the start of "meaningful and deep" talks with Turkey to end a nearly three-decade-old conflict.

Abdullah Ocalan's message was relayed by Kurdish legislators Monday days after his rebel group accused Turkey of not taking steps toward granting greater rights for Kurds. The group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, also warned it could end a unilateral cease-fire that began six months ago.

The PKK has already suspended a planned pullout from Turkish territory into bases in northern Iraq, saying Turkey has not kept its promises.

Ocalan said he still hopes for a solution but warns that "in-depth" negotiations must start soon. Ocalan is leading the peace talks with Turkey from an island prison off Istanbul.