The ERNK [National Liberation Front of Kurdistan] statement, which stresses the importance of the PKK for the world, the Middle East, and Kurdistan, reminds those who wage a fight for humanity of their duties and congratulates their achievements.

The statement calls on all the PKK militants, the PKK cadres, and the Kurdish people to follow in the course of the party so that goals can be achieved.

The ERNK European organisation issued a statement on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the PKK.

The statement stressed that the freedom struggle increase its momentum and trust the guidance and administration of the PKK leadership.

The arrival of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in Europe marks the onset of a new period in the fight for Kurdistan, it said.

Italy has so far refused to hand over Mr Ocalan

In this period the Kurdistan people had proved their loyalty to their leader in a manner unprecedented in the world.

However, the statement added: ''We should not slip into lethargy just because of the greatness of our national leader, the strength of our guerrilla movement, the loyalty of our people, the support of our friends, and the bafflement of the Turkish Republic.''

The ERNK noted that the world powers, which had gone mad in the face of the latest developments and the Kurdish freedom struggle, had made efforts to get the United States involved in the issue.

It said even more importance should be attached to current events than before.

The ERNK called on the 20th anniversary celebrations to be held in all places where there were Kurdish people and turned into protest demonstrations against their enemies.

'We congratulate the hunger strikers'

The statement said: ''The 20th year is marked by the preparations under way for a victory and statehood together with Apo [Ocalan].

''Major events should therefore be held to mark the 20th anniversary in Strasbourg, Bonn, and Hamburg, where there are still actions underway that were launched in light of the situation of our leader.

''Moreover, we congratulate the hunger strikers on the 20th anniversary of the PKK. We should, however, reiterate our loyalty to our leader by continuing the 27 November events for one week.

''We should, in short, strive to achieve the peak of all the previous 27 November actions. This is the initial stage. Then, we should prepare ourselves for the second stage in a more magnificent and more powerful manner.

'Shouts for a free nation'

''Let festivities be held in all our national institutions, organisations, associations, and our homes. Let us raise our voices with shouts for a free nation and free lives - the longing of thousands of years.

''Let us add colour to our surroundings by wearing our colourful national garments and designs. Let us celebrate this holiday in union and in line with a sense of resistance. Let us enliven our excitement on these grounds.''

The statement further urged the Kurdistan people to keep their cool and maintain awareness in face of provocation by Turkish state officials and the Turkish media.