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DATE=6/29/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251218
TITLE=TURKEY TRIAL VERDICT (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=MUDANYA, TURKEY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  A SPECIAL SECURITY COURT IN TURKEY HAS SENTENCED KURDISH 
REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN TO DEATH ON CHARGES OF TREASON.  
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IN MUDANYA, TURKEY, REPORTS THE 
VERDICT BROUGHT AN OUTBURST OF EMOTION FROM FAMILIES OF TURKISH 
SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN KURDISH ATTACKS.
TEXT:  THE JUDGE DELIVERED THE VERDICT WHILE MR. OCALAN STOOD 
IMPASSIVELY IN THE BULLET-PROOF CUBICLE WHERE HE HAS SAT DURING 
THE ENTIRE TRIAL.
ASKED TO MAKE A FINAL STATEMENT BEFORE THE VERDICT, MR. OCALAN 
SAID HE REJECTED THE CHARGE OF TREASON.  HE SAID THE KURDISH 
PROBLEM IS DUE TO WHAT HE CALLED HISTORIC MISTAKES, AND HE SAID 
HE HOPED HIS TRIAL WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR SOLUTION.  HE 
CONCLUDED BY SAYING THE FUTURE OF TURKEY LIES WITH PEACE AND  NOT
WAR.
AFTER THE VERDICT, FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS AT THE TRIAL SANG THE 
NATIONAL ANTHEM, AS MR. OCALAN LEFT THE ROOM.
ON THE DOCK IN MUDANYA, HUNDREDS OF VICTIMS' FAMILY MEMBERS 
CELEBRATED.
  ///  SOUND OF FAMILIES, CLAPPING, CHANTING - FADE UNDER  ///
THE DEMONSTRATORS WAVED TURKISH FLAGS AND CHANTED SLOGANS AGAINST
THE P-K-K, MR. OCALAN'S REBEL GROUP.
ELDERLY LADIES CLUTCHING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR DEAD SONS CRIED AND
OFFERED PRAISES TO GOD.
        ///  ACT OF MOTHER - IN TURKISH - FADE UNDER  ///
A LAWYER FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS, KADIL KATAL, EXPRESSED 
SATISFACTION WITH THE VERDICT.
         ///  LAWYER ACT - IN TURKISH - FADE UNDER  ///
THE LAWYER REFERRED TO MR. OCALAN'S APPEAL FOR DEMOCRACY AND 
PEACE, BUT SAID IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS JUSTICE HAD BEEN SERVED.
TURKEY HAS  NOT  ADMINISTERED THE DEATH PENALTY SINCE 1984. AND 
MR. OCALAN'S SENTENCE MUST BE APPROVED BY AN APPEALS COURT AND 
EVENTUALLY THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT.
KURDISH LEADERS WARN THE EXECUTION OF MR. OCALAN COULD LEAD TO 
MORE VIOLENCE.  BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM
THE MILITARY AND MUCH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO CARRY OUT THE 
SENTENCE.  (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/KL
29-Jun-99 7:41 AM EDT (1141 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.