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\f0\fs24 \cf2 \cb3 (Image source: {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.todayszaman.com/news-303654-erdogan-says-paris-killings-may-be-provocation-to-axe-peace-talks.html"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 Today\'92s Zaman}})\ \
\pard\pardeftab720
\b \cf2 BY STEVEN SPARKMAN\ ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT
\b0 \ \
Three Kurdish activists were found dead in Paris Thursday, all shot in the head in an
apparent execution. Analysts say it could have dire consequences for peace prospects
in Turkey.\ \
One of the women, Sakine Cansiz, is a founding member of the PKK \'97 a militant Kurdish
liberation group considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and EU. ({\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qeq90qx_P7k"}}{\fldrslt \cf4 \ul \ulc4 Video via International Business
Times}})\ \
\pard\pardeftab720 {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.pkkonline.com/en/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 The group}} has been battling the Turkish government for decades in a struggle
that has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives.\ \
The murders come at a delicate time, just one day after rumors broke that the Turkish
government and a key PKK leader had agreed on a peace plan.\
\ Despite being in prison for more than a decade,
Abdullah Ocalan is still the public face of the PKK. And Turkish sources report, after
negotiations with government officials, Ocalan signed off on a deal that would start with
a ceasefire and end with disarmament. ({\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.euronews.com/2013/01/10/france-and-turkey-condemn-killings-of-kurdish-activists/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 Video via euronews}})\ \
So analysts say it\'92s likely the murders are meant to disrupt that peace process. But
{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/01/20131106596765340.html"}}{\fldrslt \cf4 \ul \ulc4 a reporter in Turkey tells
Al Jazeera}} the real question is \'97 who is behind it?\
\ \pard\pardeftab720
\b \cf2 \'93It could be that there\'92s an element within the Turkish state which is
unhappy about these talks and is trying to do something. But there\'92s an equally probable
explanation that it\'92s a faction within the PKK itself.\'94
\b0 \ \
\pard\pardeftab720 {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/three-pkk-members-killed-in-paris-attack.aspx?pageID=238&nID=38748&NewsCatID=338"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News}} reports Cansiz had enemies within
the PKK, like the group\'92s financial head or the leader of its armed wing.\
\ At the moment, the Turkish government seems
determined not to let the murders interfere with the peace process.\
\ Government ministers condemned the killings
and President Erdogan said the government remains committed to \'93well-intentioned
steps\'94 toward peace. ({\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.todayszaman.com/news-303654-erdogan-says-paris-killings-may-be-provocation-to-axe-peace-talks.html"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 Via Today's Zaman}})\ \
French police say they will carry out an extensive investigation, but so far haven\'92t pointed
the finger at any particular group.}