DATE=8/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TURKEY - OCALAN (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252511
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Members of the Kurdistan Workers Party --
or P-K-K -- say they will comply with their
condemned leader's call to stop fighting for
Kurdish self rule and withdraw their forces from
Turkish territory. Amberin Zaman reports from
Ankara.
TEXT: In a statement issued through the pro-
Kurdish DEM news agency, the P-K-K high command
says it openly declares its full compliance with
Abdullah Ocalan's appeal.
A Turkish court sentenced Ocalan to death in
June, following his capture in Nairobi earlier
this year by Turkish special forces. On Tuesday,
he called on his fighters to abandon their armed
struggle for Kurdish self-rule. He said the
violence stood in the way of finding a peaceful
and democratic solution to the Kurdish problem.
Some analysts say the decision by rebel P-K-K
members to comply with Ocalan's demands will make
it even more difficult for the Turkish government
to justify refusing to acknowledge that there's a
Kurdish problem. Turkey instead says what it
terms "terrorism" is behind the 15 year long
Kurdish rebellion in its largely Kurdish-
populated southeast region.
Responding to Ocalan's call on Wednesday, Turkish
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said his government
would not negotiate with what he described as
"terrorists." Yet Mr. Ecevit tempered his remark
by acknowledging that peace was in everybody's
interest.
Analysts say easing current restrictions on
broadcasting and education in the Kurdish
language would constitute a major step toward
satisfying Kurdish demands to respect what they
call their "ethnic dignity." They warn that
unless the Turkish government makes some
conciliatory gestures -- however symbolic --
toward the Kurds, the P-K-K will likely resume
its armed campaign.
Meanwhile, Turkey's hawkish chief prosecutor,
Vural Savas, asked an appeals court on Thursday
to uphold the death sentence for Ocalan. The
appeals court is expected to review Ocalan's case
early next month and observers say it is likely
to uphold the death sentence. Both the Turkish
parliament and president need to approve the
death sentence before it can be carried out.
Turkish public opinion remains divided on the
question. (Signed)
NEB/AZ/PCF/KL
05-Aug-1999 10:12 AM EDT (05-Aug-1999 1412 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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