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DATE=5/18/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249527
TITLE=TURKEY IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: TURKISH TROOPS ARE CONTINUING THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST 
KURDISH SEPARATIST REBELS BASED IN NORTHERN IRAQ. AS AMBERIN 
ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, SOME 15-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS HAVE 
CROSSED INTO TO THE KURDISH-CONTROLLED ENCLAVE AS PART OF A 
ROUTINE OFFENSIVE AGAINST REBEL FORCES OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' 
PARTY OR P-K-K -- A GROUP OUTLAWED BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT
TEXT: TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE CROSS BORDER OPERATION WAS 
MOUNTED OVER A WEEK AGO FOLLOWING REPORTS THAT THE REBELS WERE 
PLANNING TO STAGE ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH SECURITY TARGETS FROM 
BASES IN KURDISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ.
TURKISH TROOPS BACKED BY ATTACK HELICOPTERS AND FIGHTER JETS HAVE
MOVED ABOUT 20 KILOMETERS INTO IRAQI TERRITORY IN WHAT THE IRAQI 
GOVERNMENT DENOUNCES AS A FLAGRANT BREACH OF ITS TERRITORIAL 
SOVEREIGNTY.
BAGHDAD'S RELATIONS WITH ANKARA HAVE STEADILY DETERIORATED OVER 
THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF U-S-LED ALLIED FORCES.  THE ALLIED 
PLANES HAVE BEEN BASED IN SOUTHERN TURKEY SINCE THE END OF THE 
1991 GULF WAR TO PROTECT AN ESTIMATED THREE MILLION KURDS AGAINST
IRAQI ATTACKS.
ACCORDING TO BOTH WESTERN DIPLOMATIC SOURCES AND IRAQI KURDISH 
OFFICIALS, IRAQ IS NOW PROVIDING LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE P-K-K
IN A RETALIATORY MOVE.
TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY AROUND 70 REBELS HAVE BEEN KILLED SO FAR IN
THE OPERATION WHICH IS SAID TO BE CONCENTRATED AROUND THE 
MOUNTAINS BORDERING TURKEY'S SIRNAK AND HAKKARI PROVINCES.
                          //REST OPT// 
THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING A 14-YEAR LONG CAMPAIGN FOR SELF RULE 
IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES. ANALYSTS SAY 
TURKEY DEALT THE REBELS A CRUSHING BLOW WHEN THEIR FORCES 
CAPTURED P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IN KENYA LAST FEBRUARY. THE
P-K-K LEADER IS FACING TRIAL ON TREASON CHARGES -- AN OFFENSE 
THAT IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH UNDER TURKISH LAW. HIS TRIAL BEGINS 
ON MAY THE 31ST ON THE PRISON ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF ISTANBUL 
WHERE THE P-K-K LEADER HAS BEEN HELD SINCE HIS ARREST. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/WFR
18-May-99 1:17 PM EDT (1717 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.