DATE=2/16/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245575
TITLE=RUSSIA / KURDS (L)
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: POLICE IN MOSCOW HAVE REMOVED ABOUT 50 KURDISH
DEMONSTRATORS WHO FORCED THEIR WAY INTO THE GREEK EMBASSY TO
PROTEST THE ARREST OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN.
MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN WATCHED AS THE PROTESTERS
WERE LED AWAY.
TEXT:
/// ACT - CHANTING DEMONSTRATORS - FADE UNDER ///
THE DEMONSTRATORS SHOOK THEIR FISTS AND SHOUTED "FREE OCALAN" AS
OFFICERS IN RIOT GEAR SHOVED THEM INTO VANS AND DROVE THEM AWAY
FROM THE EMBASSY BUILDING ON A NARROW CENTRAL MOSCOW STREET. A
POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEMONSTRATORS AGREED TO GO PEACEFULLY
AFTER ADDRESSING THEIR GRIEVANCES TO THE GREEK AMBASSADOR.
THE INCIDENT LASTED LESS THAN THREE HOURS.
AN EMBASSY GUARD SAID THE ONLY MOMENT OF TENSION CAME WHEN THE
DEMONSTRATORS FIRST ARRIVED AND PUSHED THEIR WAY INTO A
COURTYARD. BUT THE GUARD SAID THE INTRUDERS WERE NOT ARMED,
AND DENIED EARLIER REPORTS GUNSHOTS HAD BEEN FIRED.
BUT ONE PROTESTER WARNED THERE WOULD MORE VIOLENT OUTBURSTS IF
ANY HARM COMES TO THEIR LEADER.
/// ALADDIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
THE DEMONSTRATOR, WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF ONLY AS ALADDIN, SAID --
WE WILL BE FIGHTING AND THE WHOLE WORLD SHOULD BE AWARE. HE TOLD
REPORTERS -- BEFORE WE WERE SETTING OURSELVES ON FIRE, BUT FROM
THIS MOMENT, WE WILL BE BURNING PEOPLE WHO HARM US.
ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS BRIEFLY IN RUSSIA LAST NOVEMBER, AFTER BEING
FORCED TO LEAVE SYRIA, BUT THE KREMLIN DENIED HIS REQUEST FOR
ASYLUM. TWO KURDISH DEMONSTRATORS BURNED THEMSELVES TO DEATH
NEAR THE KREMLIN WALL TO PROTEST RUSSIA'S REFUSAL TO GRANT THEIR
LEADER REFUGE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH/RAE
16-Feb-99 7:56 AM EST (1256 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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