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DATE=6/7/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250336
TITLE=TURKEY-KURDS (S/L VER)
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  IN A STATEMENT ISSUED MONDAY, TURKEY'S MILITARY REJECTS  
CLAIMS THAT SOME OF ITS OFFICIALS MET WITH KURDISH REBELS TO 
BROKER A CEASE-FIRE.  AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE 
TURKISH GENERAL STAFF SAYS IT REMAINS DETERMINED AS EVER TO KEEP 
UP ITS BATTLE AGAINST THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY OR P-K-K, WHICH
IS BANNED IN TURKEY.
INTRO:  THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF'S RESPONSE CAME JUST DAYS AFTER
KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN -- NOW ON TRIAL FOR TREASON 
-- TOLD PROSECUTORS THAT A TURKISH ARMY COLONEL HAD MET WITH A 
P-K-K REPRESENTATIVE IN EUROPE LAST YEAR TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE 
CEASE-FIRE.
THE P-K-K LEADER CLAIMED HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY A FORMER 
TURKISH PRESIDENT AND TWO TURKISH PRIME MINISTERS ABOUT THE 
POSSIBILITY OF A CEASE-FIRE AS WELL.
THE STATEMENT BY THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF CALLS THE CLAIMS 
"BASELESS." IT SAYS THEY CAME AT A TIME WHEN, AS THE STATEMENT 
PUTS IT, THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION WAS FALLING APART AND THAT 
ITS LEADER WAS BEING TRIED. THE STATEMENT GOES ON TO SAY THE 
TURKISH MILITARY HAD NEVER NEGOTIATED WITH TERRORISTS IN THE PAST
NOR EVER WOULD IN THE FUTURE.
///CUT HERE FOR SHORT VERSION///
TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY'VE BEEN DEEPLY ANGERED BY CALLS IN THE
WESTERN MEDIA FOR THE TURKISH STATE TO CONSIDER THE P-K-K 
LEADER'S OFFER TO NEGOTIATE PEACE IN EXCHANGE FOR SPARING HIS 
LIFE, SHOULD HE BE CONVICTED.  AND ANALYSTS ADD THAT WITH  A 
LIKELY DEATH SENTENCE HANGING OVER HIM, MR OCALAN IS NO LONGER IN
A POSITION TO DELIVER A PEACE DEAL ANYWAY.
ALTHOUGH THE P-K-K HAS ISSUED A SERIES OF STATEMENTS IN RECENT 
DAYS ENDORSING THEIR LEADER'S CALL FOR PEACE, THE REBELS HAVE 
ALSO MADE CLEAR THEY WILL ONLY SURRENDER THEIR ARMS IF THEIR 
DEMANDS ARE MET. THEIR DEMANDS INCLUDE LIFTING EMERGENCY RULE IN 
TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES AND GRANTING TURKEY'S
ESTIMATED 12 MILLION KURDS CULTURAL AND POLITICAL AUTONOMY.
TURKEY BLAMES THE P-K-K LEADER FOR THE DEATHS OF MORE THAN 
30-THOUSAND PEOPLE.  OFFICIAL ESTIMATES SAY WELL OVER HALF OF 
THOSE KILLED ARE P-K-K REBELS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
07-Jun-99 1:43 PM EDT (1743 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.