The Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), known for its civil unrest and terrorist tactics from countries ranging from Syria to Turkey to Iran, has declare a truce with the Turkish government after the prime minister promised to resolve the problem through more democracy — meaning, trying to help the Kurds out in their demands. I think it’s a good development.

ANKARA, Turkey – Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy in this nation’s impoverished southeast region on Friday announced a one-month cease-fire.

A top commander of the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK, confirmed what he termed a “suspension of hostilities” but warned that the guerrillas would defend themselves if attacked.

Rebel commander Murat Karayilan said the decision was prompted by “recent positive statements” made by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The rebel leader was referring to a speech delivered by Erdogan last week in which he pledged to resolve his government’s ongoing conflict with minority Kurds through greater democracy rather than purely military means.

Most Kurds are rather supportive of the government, as the PKK only received 5% of the vote nationwide despite Kurds making up roughly 20% of the population. It’s not so much that they disagree with the political agenda, which is more autonomy, but the tactics of blowing up resorts with bombs have left the Kurds weary after so many years of violence.

The Turkish government therefore is recognizing this, and the solution of “more democracy” really means recognizing Kurdish minority rights by giving them more autonomy in their cultural and social practices. It also means solving Anatolia’s economic situation so that they don’t have much to complain about on that front. They have a big incentive to do this beside stopping the violence. Turkey’s accession to the EU depends on it, and that deadline is coming up quickly.