Bonn said on Friday it would for the time being refrain from seeking the extradition of Ocalan, wanted in Germany since 1990 for Kurdish militant attacks there, including an alleged murder. Turkey sees a German hand in a decision last year to keep it out of the EU's expansion plans for the mean time. Ankara has refused to talk politics to the bloc and has adopted a tougher foreign policy across the board. European calls for granting minority rights to Turkey's estimated eight million Kurds have long fallen on deaf ears. Public debate on the Kurdish issue is stifled in Turkey by pressure from the nationalist military and judiciary.
Courts frequently jail peaceful Kurdish politicians.
Amnesty International said on Friday Turkey's shaky human rights record, often criticized in western Europe, had shown signs of improvement since last year. Around 30,000 troops backed by air power launched a large offensive on Friday against a rebel mountain stronghold in the eastern province of Tunceli. The United States backs Turkey's efforts to secure the return of Ocalan. The Turkish public has been outraged by Italian reluctance to hand over Ocalan, the country's most wanted man. Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin said on Friday Turkey might re-evaluate its defense industry cooperation with Italy because of the row.