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DATE=6/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251045
TITLE=OCALAN TRIAL (L-O UPDATE)
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=MUDANYA, TURKEY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  DEFENSE LAWYERS PRESENTED CLOSING ARGUMENTS THURSDAY IN 
THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN.  THE LEADER OF 
THE P-K-K -- THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY -- IS BEING TRIED BY 
TURKEY ON CHARGES OF TREASON AND FACES THE DEATH PENALTY, IF 
CONVICTED.  AMBERIN ZAMAN IN MUDANYA, THE PORT CITY CLOSEST TO 
THE PRISON ISLAND, REPORTS A VERDICT IS EXPECTED TUESDAY 
TEXT:  MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS HAVE FACED AN UPHILL STRUGGLE FROM 
THE VERY START IN DEFENDING THE MAN TURKEY BLAMES FOR THE DEATHS 
OF MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND OF ITS CITIZENS.
IN A 350-PAGE DEFENSE STATEMENT, MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS ACCUSE THE 
TURKISH AUTHORITIES OF FAILING TO GIVE THE P-K-K LEADER A FREE 
AND FAIR TRIAL AND HAVE DENOUNCED TURKEY AS AUTHORITARIAN AND 
MILITARIST IN ITS POLICIES.
THE LAWYERS REPEATED THEIR ARGUMENTS THURSDAY THAT MR OCALAN'S 
TRIAL COULD  NOT  BE TREATED AS A CRIMINAL CASE, AND THAT IS WAS 
PURELY POLITICAL IN NATURE.
PROSECUTORS ARE SEEKING THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR MR. OCALAN FOR 
FOUNDING AND LEADING THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY AND 
SEEKING TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE.
SPEAKING IN HIS OWN DEFENSE WEDNESDAY, THE P-K-K LEADER INSISTED 
THAT HE WAS AGAINST AN INDEPENDENT KURDISTAN.  FEDERALISM AND 
AUTONOMY WERE  NOT  WHAT HE TERMED "PRACTICAL OBJECTIVES" FOR 
TURKEY'S ESTIMATED 12-MILLION KURDS EITHER. MR. OCALAN SAID 
CULTURAL RIGHTS IN THE FORM OF FREEDOM TO BROADCAST, PUBLISH AND 
EDUCATE IN THE KURDISH LANGUAGE WOULD BE ENOUGH TO MEET THE 
KURDS' DEMANDS FOR GREATER RIGHTS.
THAT THEME WAS ECHOED BY MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS IN COURT THURSDAY. 
MUCH OF THEIR CLOSING STATEMENT IS A LONG LIST OF WHAT THEY 
DESCRIBE AS INJUSTICES INFLICTED ON THE KURDISH PEOPLE AND THE 
LACK OF DEMOCRACY IN TURKEY OVERALL.
THE P-K-K LEADER HAS WARNED OF FURTHER VIOLENCE, IF HIS LIFE IS  
NOT  SPARED.  TURKISH OFFICIALS DESCRIBE THE THREATS AS BLACKMAIL
AND SAY THEY WILL NEVER BARGAIN WITH WHAT THEY TERM A TERRORIST.
PROSECUTORS ARE WIDELY EXPECTED TO REJECT DEFENSE DEMANDS THAT 
MR. OCALAN BE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON UPON CONVICTION, RATHER
THAN BE HANGED.  THERE IS STRONG PUBLIC PRESSURE ON THE TURKISH 
PARLIAMENT TO APPROVE THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE REBEL CHIEF.   
(SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/KL/RAE
24-Jun-99 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.