DATE=5/20/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249605
TITLE=TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A COURT IN TURKEY HAS SENTENCED A TOP KURDISH REBEL
COMMANDER TO DEATH FOR HIS ROLE IN THE KILLINGS OF MORE THAN 200
TURKISH SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS
THE KURDISH REBEL OFFICIAL -- SEMDIN SAKIK -- WAS ONCE CONSIDERED
AS ONE OF THE MOST BRUTAL AND FEARLESS LEADERS OF THE BANNED
KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, THE P-K-K.
TEXT: A SPECIAL STATE SECURITY COURT IN THE SOUTHEASTERN
PROVINCE OF DIYARBAKIR SENTENCED BOTH SEMDIN SAKIK AND HIS
BROTHER, ARIF SAKIK, TO DEATH ON CHARGES OF MURDER AND KURDISH
SEPARATISM.
THE SAKIK BROTHERS WERE SEIZED IN A COVERT OPERATION STAGED BY
TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES IN NORTHERN IRAQ 13-MONTHS AGO. SEMDIN
AND ARIF SAKIK HAD SOUGHT REFUGE WITH A LEADING IRAQ KURDISH
FACTION WHICH IS OPPOSED TO THE P-K-K AFTER THEY FELL OUT OF
FAVOR WITH P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN.
SEMDIN SAKIK'S CAPTURE IS WIDELY VIEWED AS A CRUCIAL TURNING
POINT IN TURKEY'S BATTLE AGAINST THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS'
PARTY. THAT SUCCESS WAS CAPPED BY THE ARREST IN KENYA IN
FEBRUARY OF P-K-K LEADER OCALAN.
ABDULLAH OCALAN -- WHO FOUNDED AND LED THE P-K-K'S 15-YEAR ARMED
CAMPAIGN FOR KURDISH SELF RULE -- WILL BE TRIED ON TREASON
CHARGES IN A TRIAL THAT IS TO START ON MAY 31ST.
PROSECUTORS ARE SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY FOR THE P-K-K LEADER
WHO IS BEING HELD ON A PRISON ISLAND IN THE SEA OF MARMARA.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT REMAINS ON THE BOOKS IN TURKEY, BUT IT HAS
NOT BEEN CARRIED OUT SINCE 1984 IN LINE WITH THE COUNTRY'S
EFFORTS TO GAIN FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.
SEMDIN SAKIK IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO TESTIFY AGAINST ABDULLAH
OCALAN DURING THE P-K-K LEADER'S TRIAL -- A MOVE ANALYSTS SAY
COULD HELP SPARE HIS LIFE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/RAE
20-May-99 8:22 AM EDT (1222 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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