DATE=11/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=OCALAN SENTENCE UPHELD (L)
NUMBER=2-256534
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A Turkish appeals court has upheld the death
sentence handed down to Kurdish rebel chief Abdullah
Ocalan. Amberin Zaman in Ankara reports the verdict
was welcomed by relatives of Turkish soldiers killed
in the 15-year separatist campaign carried out by
Ocalan and his outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or
P-K-K.
TEXT: Hundreds of family members of Turkish soldiers
killed in the Kurds' struggle for self-rule broke into
cheers when news of the court's verdict came through.
But for many, the joy was quickly tempered by
widespread predictions that even though the death
sentence against Ocalan was upheld, it is not likely
to be carried out any time soon - if at all.
/// OPT /// Soon after the verdict was announced,
about 30 mothers of slain soldiers raided the offices
of the Human Rights Association. The organization has
frequently been criticized for publicizing the plight
of the Kurds but rarely that of P-K-K victims. ///
END OPT ///
Observers say there is a growing recognition among
many Turks that executing Ocalan runs counter to their
nation's interests. Turkey hopes to be officially
declared a candidate for membership in the European
Union when E-U leaders meet in Helsinki next month.
The European Union has been unequivocal in its
opposition to the death penalty, which remains on the
books in Turkey even though there have been no
executions over the past 15 years. European leaders
renewed warnings following Thursday's verdict that if
Turkey executes Ocalan, its chances of becoming a full
E-U member will vanish completely.
Ocalan's defense team says it will take his case to
the European Court of Human Rights, seeking a ruling
to halt the execution.
The European court is the legal arm of the Council of
Europe, of which Turkey is a founding member. And
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said the country
would be obliged to take the European court's demands
into consideration.
There also are signs that Turkey may soon consider
abolishing the death penalty. The country's justice
minister and human rights minister have made such a
recommendation. (Signed)
NEB/AZ/JWH/JP
25-Nov-1999 09:56 AM EDT (25-Nov-1999 1456 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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