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DATE=4/30/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248789
TITLE=TURKEY / OCALAN (L ONLY)
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  A SPECIAL TURKISH COURT SAYS THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL 
LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WILL BEGIN ON MAY 31ST.  AS AMBERIN ZAMAN 
REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE KURDISH LEADER IS CHARGED WITH TREASON 
FOR FOUNDING AND LEADING THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY,
P-K-K. 
TEXT: THE TRIAL OF P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WILL TAKE PLACE 
ON THE PRISON ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF ISTANBUL WHERE HE IS BEING 
HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.
THE ANKARA STATE SECURITY COURT SAID THE TRIAL WOULD TAKE PLACE 
ON THE ISLAND FOR WHAT PROSECUTORS DESCRIBED AS SECURITY REASONS.
THEY SAID  NO  INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS WOULD BE PERMITTED TO 
ATTEND THE TRIAL.
ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS CAPTURED IN THE KENYAN CAPITAL, NAIROBI, IN 
MID-FEBRUARY DURING A COVERT OPERATION BY TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES.
PROSECUTORS ARE DEMANDING HE BE GIVEN THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR 
FOUNDING AND LEADING THE P-K-K.
THE KURDISH REBELS HAVE BEEN WAGING A 15-YEAR LONG ARMED 
INSURGENCY FOR KURDISH SELF-RULE.  MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE 
HAVE DIED IN THE CONFLICT.  TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY NEARLY 
10-THOUSAND OF THOSE KILLED WERE EITHER CIVILIANS OR MEMBERS OF 
THE TURKISH SECURITY FORCES.
SCORES OF RELATIVES OF THOSE KILLED GATHERED OUTSIDE THE ANKARA 
COURTROOM FRIDAY.  MANY CARRIED THE TURKISH FLAG AND PICTURES OF 
THEIR LOVED ONES.  THEY CHANTED ANTI-P-K-K SLOGANS AND HECKLED 
LAWYERS WHO ARE DEFENDING THE P-K-K CHIEF.  MANY HAVE FILED 
INDIVIDUAL LAW SUITS AGAINST THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER,  DEMANDING
COMPENSATION.
A RIGHT WING NATIONALIST PARTY KNOWN AS THE M-H-P, WHICH 
CAMPAIGNED FOR ABDULLAH OCALAN'S EXECUTION, RECORDED HUGE GAINS 
IN NATIONWIDE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TWO WEEKS AGO.  ANALYSTS 
SAY THE M-H-P, WHICH NOW RANKS SECOND IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT 
WITH 129 SEATS, IS LIKELY TO BE PART OF A NEW COALITION 
GOVERNMENT.  (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
30-Apr-99 7:34 AM EDT (1134 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.