DATE=2/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TURKEY / ISLAMISTS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259135
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: At least five Turkish policemen have been
killed in a shootout with Islamic militants in the
largely Kurdish southeastern province of Van. Amberin
Zaman in Ankara reports two Islamic militants from the
outlawed Party of God, or Hizbollah, died in the
clash, the bloodiest since Turkish authorities began a
major crackdown on the shadowy group.
TEXT: Turkish officials say the gunfight broke out
after police surrounded two houses in the largely
Kurdish eastern city of Van, close to the Iranian
border.
The militants refused to surrender and opened fire on
police, killing five and wounding six. Two Islamic
Hizbollah militants died. Another managed to flee.
The shootout comes as police continue to crack down
across the country on hideouts of Hizbollah militants,
whose stated aim is to form a rigidly Islamic state
for Turkey's estimated 12-million Kurds.
The group is counted among the most brutal armed
movements in the country and is believed to have
become active in the early 1980's. Hizbollah's
primary targets were members or sympathizers of the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or P-K-K.
At least 50 bodies said to be Hizbollah victims have
been discovered in separate raids across Turkey. Many
bore signs of severe torture.
There have been widespread allegations in the Turkish
media that the Turkish government at one time turned a
blind eye to (ignored) Hizbollah -- and possibly even
helped the group -- because it was so effective in
combating the Marxist P-K-K.
Turkish authorities deny the claims and say the group
is supported by neighboring Iran, where the militants
are alleged to have been armed and trained. (Signed)
NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
14-Feb-2000 09:34 AM EDT (14-Feb-2000 1434 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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