Kurdistan Human Rights Bulletin #21

[kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu]

From: Arm The Spirit <ats at etext.org>

Kurdistan Human Rights Bulletin #21

Turkish Strike Starts To Bite

     A two-week strike by Turkish public sector employees is
beginning to hit exports, basic industries and some private
companies hard but Prime Minister Tansu Ciller is refusing to
meet union leaders' demands for large pay increases. Analysts and
business leaders said Turkey's worst strikes since 1980 were
costing the country $500m(#163#322m) a month in lost exports and
production and threatened attempts to control inflation and
restore economic stability. Ports have been closed and large
state-owned industrial and transport companies have come to a
halt. 
     The government is offering a 5.4 per cent increase for state
employees, even though inflation is running at 80 per cent a
year. The 330,000 strikers are demanding wage increases of 38 per
cent for the first half of this year and 25 per cent for the
second half. However, economists fear that giving in would swell
the government's budget deficit by roughly a third to about $6bn.
Labour unrest is interfering with Ciller's attempt to form a new
government after her coalition collapsed in September. (Financial
Times, October 4, 1995)

Talabani Is Coming To Ankara

     PUK leader Talabani, who last visited Ankara in 1992, is
expected to come to Ankara after 25 September for talks with
Mesud Barzani(KDP). Last week Talabani was taken by a Turkish
helicopter from northern Iraq to Nusaybin in Turkey. It is
believed that Talabani met with MIT( Turkish intelligence)
officials and that he may be delivering a message to PKK leader
Abdullah Ocalan. In 1992 Talabani tried to initiate negotiations
for a ceasefire between the PKK and Ankara. It has been suggested
that Talabani may be planning to try and act as a mediator now.
(Hurriyet - September 11, 1995)

86 Teachers Under Arrest In Mersin

     On September 10, teachers from EGITIM-SEN (the teacher's
trade union) including the Mersin Branch leader Ali Riza Onen,
assembled outside the Mersin Governor's office. They said that
many of the teachers have been exiled to other places. To protest
against this development, they started a petition and wanted to
have a press conference. Police warned them to disperse. Despite
this, the teacher's group did not disperse and wanted to march.
86 people were arrested from the teacher's group and the police
announced that they will be charged because they had demonstrated
without permission. (Hurriyet - September 10, 1995)

Armed Forces In Battle To Modernize

     The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) are in the middle of a
comprehensive restructuring and modernization programme.
Implementing the TAF's ambitious plans, however, is complicated
by several factors.
     These include an annual inflation rate that is always in
double figures; the loss of most of the aid which Turkey received
from the USA and its other NATO allies during the Cold War, the
impact of Western public criticism of Turkey's human rights
record on the aid programes that remain and the need to maintain
forces at a high level of readiness in response to tension on
three of Turkey's borders.
     For much of the Cold War the USA, Germany, the Netherlands,
Canada and Belgium contributed to Turkey's modernization
programmes by transferring surplus, often earlier generation
equipment, to Turkey. A last massive wave of support has broken
over Turkey as CFE treaty-limited equipment (TLE) has been
'cascaded' by NATO allies. Turkey has received M60A1/A3 main
battle tanks, M113 armoured personnel carriers and M110 203mm
self-propelled howitzers from the USA; RF-4E Phantoms, Leopard
1A3MBTs, APCs and M11Os from Germany; and F-5 fighters from the
Netherlands.
     Turkey's 1995 defence budget totals $3.433 billion, which
represents 10.8 percent of government spending, showing a slight
increase from last year's allocation of 10.3 percent. About $1.7
billion of this is allocated for procurement. Defence analysts
suggest that $4 billion must be spent on acquisition programmes
alone if the TAF's modernization objectives are to be met.
(Jane's Defence Weekly - September 16, 1995)

Aycin Campaign Grows

     Turkish civil aviation union Hava-Is has distributed 20,000
posters in major towns around Turkey demanding the release of the
union president Atilay Aycin and the repeal of Article 8 of the
Anti Terrorism Act under which many political prisoners have been
detained. The union collected 30,000 signatures in three days
supporting their campaign. (ITF News - August/September 1995)

Turkey Urged To Speed Up Reforms

     Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind yesterday urged Turkey to
speed up its reforms giving greater political and civil rights to
the Kurds. At the same time, he promised that Britain would lobby
the European Parliament for ratification of Ankara's customs
union with the European Union. (The Times - September 7, 1995)

Ministers In Talks Over Iraq

     Foreign ministers of Syria, Iran and Turkey are due to meet
in Tehran, the Iranian capital, tomorrow for talks on the
situation in Iraq following the defections last month of members
of Saddam Hussein's family. Officials have expressed concern over
the threat to Iraq's territorial integrity. All three countries
have sizable Kurdish minorities adjacent to Iraq's own 3m Kurdish
population in the north. And Iran has a strong affiliation with
Iraq's Shia living in the south. Each country, however, also
hosts members of Iraq's disparate opposition. (Financial Times -
September 7, 1995)

Protests Against Closure Of Yeni Politika

     Turkish and Kurdish intellectuals condemned the court
closure of the country's biggest pro-Kurdish newspaper and some
called for defiance of Turkey's strict limits on freedom of
expression.
     "Despite being considered illegal there are things that must
be done and I encourage everyone to keep pushing the issue of
freedom of expression," Turkish musician Sanar Yurdatapan told a
news conference called by the newspaper, Yeni Politika, to
announce its demise. Yurdatapan leads a campaign in which 1,080
people - among them leading writers, actors and journalists -
have demanded the prosecutor charge them for publishing a book of
articles banned by the court.
     The trial against 99 of the signatories, charged with
violating article eight of the anti-terror law, starts next week.
Yurdatapan said the closure of Yeni Politika signalled the need
for further action. "It's no use just to collect signatures and
give speeches. But if the state has to put all of us in prison,
then it becomes an impossible situation for them," he said. Yeni
Politika's publishing life ended after five months, when a court
on Wednesday ruled the paper was a continuation of two banned
pro-Kurdish newspapers. The closure follows years of difficulties
faced by Kurdish publications, which started up in strength after
the government in 1991 lifted a formal eight-year ban on the use
of Kurdish. (Reuter - August 17, 1995)

Bar Association Chairman Killed By Fundamentalists

     The chairman of the Gumushane Bar Association, Ali Gunday,
was assassinated on 25 July by an Islamic fundamentalist, Izzet
Kirac, following the expulsion of two veil-wearing female lawyers
from the Bar.
     Onder Sav, chairman of the Turkish Bar Association (TBB),
said that reactionary forces were trying to send Turkey back to
the Middle Ages and those who encourage the murder of people in
the name of religion are also responsible for the murder.
(Info-Turk - #221)

Villagers Suffering As Turks Try To Starve Kurdish Rebels

     "'Scorched earth' tactics aimed at Kurdish rebels are
hitting the wrong people and could rebound on Ankara". Last week,
Algan Hacaloglu, the Turkish minister in charge of human rights
was comparing Tunceli to Bosnia: "The hunger, the suffering of
the people ... it's the same," he said.
     His remarks followed a tour of Tunceli to investigate
allegations that the Turkish security forces had imposed what
outraged locals described as a "food embargo" on their province.
"They burnt our villages, killed our animals and now they want us
to starve," said Hasan Solmaz, a farmer from Pinarlar village, 20
miles west of Tunceli. Mr Solmaz had just discovered that like
any other villager who came to buy food here, he too had to fill
out a form at an army checkpoint at the town entrance listing
every item he bought, where he was taking it to, and the names of
all his family members, before being allowed to return home. The
government has justified the measures by saying they are aimed at
preventing food from reaching the PKK. The outspoken local CHP
boss, Bekir Gundogar believes otherwise. "It is us the state is
finishing off, not the PKK," he said. (The Times - August 29,
1995)

EU Warns Ankara Over Kurdish Rights

     Turkey was told over the weekend that, unless it made
constitutional concessions to the Kurdish minority, the European
Parliament might veto a treaty binding Ankara closer to the West.
But European Union foreign ministers who met in Spain reaffirmed
their determination to push for ratification of the new EUcustoms
union with Turkey.
     At an informal meeting in Santander, Britain supported the
Spanish presidency in urging EU governments to lobby hard for a
treaty with the Western Alliance. Foreign Secretary Malcolm
Rifkind said Britain would urge Strasbourg to pass the treaty,
facing opposition because of Turkey's human rights record. Mr.
Rifkind and other foreign ministers fear that if Turkey is
rebuffed over the customs union, the backlash may be so strong
that Turkey's entire post-Ataturk political orientation to the
West may be undermined. However, the tough Turkish laws designed
to suppress the Kurds have soured relations with many European
human rights activists and have been strongly criticised by the
European Parliament, which will give the final vote later this
year on whether to veto the customs union. (The Times - September
12, 1995)

Two Persons Arrested In Diyarbakir

     Police attacked a house and arrested Lezgin (21) and
Gulbahar (19) brother and sister of a journalist who had worked
on the old newspaper Ozgur Ulke in Diyarbakir. The police did not
gave any justification for their arrest. The police had also
arrested another person called Erhan Bakan in the same part of
Diyarbakir on 28 August. At the time of his arrest they said that
they didn't know anybody with this name. After 8 days they
admitted that he was in police custody in Diyarbakir. Abdullah
Alici and Bakan's wife went to the Human Rights organisation to
apply for these people because they were concerned for their
lives. (Ozgur Politika - September 7, 1995)

Turkish Coalition Collapses

     Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller offered her resignation
yesterday after talks designed to prop up her four-year-old
coalition government suddenly collapsed. She will now be asked to
form a new administration, although the possibility of her
forging a new alliance to last her final year in office is
remote. Ciller's surprise announcement came after her first
meeting with Deniz Baykal, the new leader of her junior coalition
partner. He left the meeting announcing that despite "the
pleasant chat", the Government was finished and elections were
inevitable. Mr Baykal's apparent determination to break up the
coalition was prompted by the risky calculation that his
Republican People's Party can revive its poor standing by
distancing itself from Ciller's right-of-centre policies. Some of
the traditional leftwing support has drifted to the pro-Islamic
Welfare Party, which promises a "just order". Ciller is likely to
soldier on until the spring with a minority government. (The
Times - September 21, 1995)
     Amnesty International, in a report to be published today,
accuses Turkey of failing to enact simple and practical reforms
to improve human rights. The reforms include the abolition of
article eight of the notorious anti-terror law. (The Guardian -
September 21, 1995)
     "There is no telling what will happen, a period of great
instability lies ahead." said Tayla Erten, a leading columnist
for the financial daily, Dunya. Businessmen expressed fears of a
fresh economic crisis as shares on the Istanbul stock exchange
continued to slide along with the Turkish lira, despite the
intervention of the Central Bank. (Daily Telegraph - September
22, 1995)
     Tansu Ciller faced added pressure for early elections with
the resignation of the speaker of parliament. Husamettin
Cindoruk, a member of Mrs Ciller's centre-right True Path Party
but a long-time adversary, said that elections should be held
every four years, rather than five as under the present
constitution. General elections are now scheduled for next
autumn. Mrs Ciller's coalition collapsed on 20 September and her
party has been unable to find a new coalition partner. (The Times
- October 2, 1995)

129a Trial Against Kurds In Frankfurt

     On September 25, 1995, a trial against 3 Kurdish defendants
will open at the State Supreme Court in Frankfurt, Germany with
the aim of proving that one part of the Kurdistan Workers Party
(PKK) is a "terrorist organization". By using crown witnesses,
the state prosecutor hopes to prove that the accused, in their
roles as party functionaries or as the heads of a Kurdish
association in Frankfurt, were responsible for criminal acts and
thus constituted a "terrorist organization". According to the
Working Group Against The Kurd Trial (Arbeitskreis gegen den
Kurdenprozess): "What is really being put on trial is the right
of the Kurdish people to engage in political and public
activity." The Working Group has issued a leaflet calling on
people to visit this trial and to protest against it. (Kurdistan
Rundbrief #18)

HADEP Is Raided Twice In One Week

     Peoples Democratic Party (HADEP) Diyarbakir city
administator M. Can Ekin's house and business premises were
raided by police. A HADEP spokesperson said the reason for this
is "Mr Ekin's active role in supporting close relatives of
prisoners of war. Meanwhile peace posters were prepared by HADEP.
When they were being posted up by HADEP members and directors,
'anti-terror' police destroyed the posters. The raid which was
planned by the anti-terror police destroyed Mr. Ekin's house and
business premises, and property. His wife and workers were abused
and assaulted. HADEP workers organized a meeting to discuss the
raid. They said they believe that the reason for the raid was Mr.
Erkins active role in helping the relatives close of the war and
prisoners on hunger strike. (Ozgur Politika - September 8, 1995)

HADEP's Flyposter Team Arrested

     HADEP directors Hanifi Akboga, Hanifi Baran, HADEP members
Cemil Krem and the taxi driver who carried the posters, were
attacked by 'anti-terror' police and arrested when they were
fly-posting in Diyarbakir. Although HADEP had received official
permission to fly-post, the police tore the posters down and
threatened to kill them if they did not stop putting up posters.
(Ozgur Politika - September 8, 1995)

Son Disappeared - Mother Attempts To Burn Herself

     In Diyarbakir's Kulk county on 24 August Osman Bulutekin's
house was raided by police and he was arrested. There is no news
from him now. His mother Mrs. Bulutekin atempted to burn herself
in order that her son be found. Mrs. Bullutekin, who was released
3 days ago from Diyarbakir closed prison, has requently received
threatening phone calls. From the day of the arrest of her son
she has been trying to get them to accept responsibility for his
arrest, but she has not been successful. Mrs. Bullutekin went to
Kulp police station and in the garden of the station poured
diesel over herself to burn herself, but was stopped by security
guards. Mrs. Bullutekin stated that the four people who took her
son away had introduced themselves as policemen and before they
left the house they cut the telephone wire. "If my son Osman is
not found, I will burn myself. I want the government to know
this." (Ozgur Politika - September 15, 1995)

KDP Meet Turkish Military Plan For Joint Cross-Border Operation

     According to Milpa correspondent Seymus Cakan, high ranking
officials of the KDP and Turkish foreign Ministry officials met
on 30 August in the town of Silopi in Sirnak province to discuss
a new cross-border operation. The information received revealed
that the KDP officials gave details of the PKK's numerical
strength in northern Iraq, the areas in which it is situated and
the areas which it controls. The opinion of the KDP was obtained
as to whether a need exists for a new cross-border operation. A
guarantee was given at the end of the meeting that in the event
of the KDP requesting it, a comprehensive cross-border operation
against the PKK would be undertaken. Milha Adana correspondent
Murat Dogukanli claims that 10 trucks carrying containers with
"USA" inscribed on them entered nothern Iraq at Habur. The word
"explosives" on each container attracted attention and officials
avoided giving information concerning the contents of the
containers, weighing approximately 22 tons each, from where they
had come and their destination. On the front page next to the
photo of the trucks it states that the trucks were part of a
"Provide Comfort" convoy that had set out from Incirlik. The
caption states that the trucks had Turkish number plates and were
accompanied by American officers. (Milliyet - September 1, 1995)

8 Dead And 63 Political Prisoners Injured In Buca Prison

     Prison guards helped by Turkish gendarmes attacked left-wing
political prisoners in Buca prison on 28 September 1995. Ahmet
Turan Demir a representative of the Human Rights Organization
said "after the attack fifteen ambulances were required to take
the dead and wounded." The prisoners, protesting against
continuous torture and the refusal of the authorities to allow
family and legal visits had refused to take part in prison roll
calls. The attack took place in the cells of the prisoners and
all of Buca's political prisoners were attacked. This is denied
by the authorities. Families and friends of the prisoners who
were waiting outside the prison were also attacked. Mr Dinir, who
accompanied lawyers to Buca prison afther the incident, reported
that the prison guards were continuing to attack the prisoners,
throwing tear gas into their cells. He also reported that while
he was there he heard gun shots. Ten of the authority's attackers
were wounded. (Ozgur Politika - September 23, 1995)

Explosion Hits Pro-Kurdish Office In Turkey

     An explosion rocked a building housing the pro-Kurdish
People's Democracy Party (HADEP) in Turkey's port city of Izmir
on Wednesday, shattering windows but causing no injuries, local
HADEP officials said.
     Turkish police said the early morning explosion in the
three-storey building was caused by a leaky gas canister, but
HADEP officials said a bomb had been placed outside the door. The
explosion at the Gaziemir district building comes three days
after a bomb placed at a nearby cafe frequented by off-duty
Turkish soldiers killed five people and wounded 24. HADEP
officials said the explosion at their building might have been in
retaliation for the bombing, which Turkish newspapers blamed on
separatist Kurdish guerrillas fighting for independence in
southeast Turkey. Numerous HADEP officials throughout Turkey are
on trial for alleged membership in the Kurdistan Workers Party
(PKK), but HADEP officials dismiss the charges as a smear
campaign aimed at weakening Kurdish demands for broader cultural
and political rights. (Extract from Reuters News Service, 1995)

PKK Seeks Dialogue With Germany

     The leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has
signalled a change in his political approach with respect to
Germany. "We don't wish to disrupt the security and order of
Germany, or to concern ourselves with Germany's foreign affairs,"
PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan told West German Radio (WDR) during an
interview in his headquarters. Ocalan told the station that the
PKK was willing to call off all of its attacks inside Germany.
"Germany, instead of banning the PKK, should talk with the PKK in
order to find a peaceful solution to the problems within Germany
and Turkey," Ocalan said. The PKK leader denied claims that his
party is funded with extorted money. He said that all financial
contributions to the organization were given voluntarily.
(Frankfurter Rundschau - August 19, 1995)

Husnu Ondul Wins Human Rights Award

     Turkish lawyer Husnu Ondul has been awarded this year's
human rights award from German Lawyer's Union (DRB). The DRB
honored the 41-year-old for his many years of work in the service
of human rights in his homeland. He will be awarded the prize
along with 5,000 DM in money on September 25 in Mainz. Ondul, who
was nominated by the human rights organization Amnesty
International, has worked as an independent lawyer in Ankara
since 1980. The focal point of his work has been political
trials. He has also worked for the Human Rights Association and
the Human Rights Foundation, both of which regularly publish
reports on human rights violations and victims of torture.
Because of his work, Ondul has been indicted seven times, and in
one case he is still facing a possible 5 years in prison.
(Frankfurter Rundschau - September 25, 1995)

European MP Opens Office In Istanbul

     Claudia Roth, leader of the Green fraction in the European
Parliament, has become the first European MP to open an office in
Turkey. The office, which will open in Istanbul on September 2,
will provide more information about the political situation in
the country, Roth told Bonn on Thursday. As vice president of the
European Parliament's 'European Union/Turkey Committee', she
plans on spending lots of time in Istanbul. "The focal point of
my work will be the improvement of human rights, more democracy,
and the long-awaited resolution of the Kurdish question," the MP
said. Roth still maintains that Turkey can have a role as a
Muslim country within the European Union. But in order for this
to happen, Roth said, the country must show respect for human
rights, become more democratic, and release the Kurdish MPs who
are now in prison. (Frankfurter Rundschau - September 25, 1995)

American Reuter Correspondent in Turkish Security Court

     Reuters said on Tuesday that one of its correspondents in
Turkey would appear in a security court in Istanbul on October 12
to answer a charge over a story about the Turkish military
campaign against Kurdish rebels. The world news and information
organization said in a statement that Aliza Marcus, 33, an
American, had been accused of "provoking enmity and hatred by
displaying racism or regionalism."
     The charge, which carries a maximum jail sentence of three
years, related to a story last Nov. 25 quoting villagers and
human rights activists in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir as
saying forcible evacuation and even torching of Kurdish villages
was a central part of the military's prolonged battle against
Kurdish separatists. The case was filed against Marcus July 13.
The government had previously begun a prosecution against the
pro-Kurdish daily newspaper Ozgur Ulke for carrying a version of
the Reuters story. The next hearing in the Ozgur Ulke case is
scheduled for Oct. 5. Marcus, who speaks Turkish, was assigned to
Istanbul from New York in April 1994. (Condensed from Reuters
News Service, 1995)
     Reuters correspondent Aliza Marcus has been arraigned in the
State Security Court due to an article that was published in
Ozgur Ulke newspaper last year. She is accused of "Stirring up
racial hatred" and faces a maximum sentence of 3 years
imprisonment. According to the Herald Tribune Marcus's article
appeared in the 27 November 1994 edition of Ozgur Ulke and
mentioned the forced evacuation and even burning of Kurdish
villages. The case is to be heard on 12 October in Istanbul State
Security Court.
     The chief of staff Ahmet Corekci said: "We are under
political authority. Obedience is essential for us. However the
consequences of article 8 affect us. At the moment we want it to
remain as it is. Change is not appropriate." (Hurriyet -
September 24, 1995)

Turkish Paper Investigated Over Rebel Kurd Quotes

     An Istanbul court has begun an investigation of a Turkish
newspaper for publishing quotes by a Kurdish rebel leader, its
editor said on Tuesday. The story included quotations from a
letter to a Kurdish meeting in Oslo by Ocalan, leader of the
guerrilla Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which is fighting for
autonomy or independence in southeastern Turkey. Berkan said he
faced trial under Article 8 of Turkey's anti-terror law over a
case opened early this year concerning publication in his
newspaper of a speech by Kemal Burkay, head of a non-violent
Kurdish separatist group based in Europe.
     The first hearing at the state security court, which deals
with serious crimes, is due on December 11, he said.
     Turkey's European allies have demanded the scrapping of
Article 8, under which scores of people have been jailed for
writings and speeches on the Kurdish conflict, in exchange for
customs union between Ankara and the European Union. (Extract
from Reuters News Service, 1995)

Turkish Sugar Mills Strike May Mean More Imports

     The strike at state-owned sugar refineries in Turkey has
coincided with a low level of stocks and may necessitate further
sugar imports. Even if it ends, Turkey will be continuing to
import sugar over the coming 12 months due to low beet
production.
     "I am not joking. Turkey has only four days worth of sugar
left," Mr Hasan Akyoll, Minister of Industry and Trade, said on
the weekend. (Financial Times - September 26, 1995)

Leyla Zana's Letter To Norwegian Prime Minister, Gro Harlem
Hrandtland

Dear Prime Minister,
     I am writing to you as you were the first women Prime
Minister in Europe. The situation of the Kurdish people in Turkey
is worsening. The conditions for Kurdish people are appalling.
This tragic situation is hidden from the outside world, nobody
knows about it and nobody sees it. You are to me as a mother. My
heart is bleeding for all the young people both Kurds and Turks
who's lives are wasted in this war. I believe it is possible for
Kurdish and Turkish people to live together in peace and
friendship. Your support is particularly appreciated, because
your country upholds democratic rights for all people. I appeal
to you to raise your voice for our people together with other
Scandinavian countries. I ask you to send representatives from
your country to visit Kurdistan and report on the situation
there. My people want only a peaceful and democratic life. I
believe that you will support our struggle. I hope and believe
there will be a peaceful solution for our children. Please accept
my regards. (Ozgur Politika - October 1, 1995)

The Turkish Embassy And The Grey Wolves

     Fellemez Basboga, a member of the Kurdistan Parliament in
Exile, discussed in his speech (given at a funeral procession)
the role of Turkish diplomatic missions in Germany in the
organizing efforts of the MHP. The newly-appointed ambassador in
Bonn, Volkan Vural, was a long time member of the Turkish
National Security Council (MGK), a military/secret police
organization which has de facto control over the parliament.
     His stationing in Germany "coincides" with the decisions of
the council to expand the activities of death squads and the
secret police in combatting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)
abroad". In addition to this, the MHP, besides having members in
the death squads and the "special forces" of the Turkish army,
also operates several front organizations. It recruits its
members via Turkish sports clubs and mosques.
     It is important to understand, said Basboga, that "banning
or increasing the controls over such organizations" would do much
more for the cause of domestic security in Germany than "the
sweeping criminalization of Kurdish politics".
     Anyone who doubts the willingness of the Kurdish people to
seek a political solution should turn their attention to the
Parliament in Exile, which is prepared for negotiations at any
time.
     A Turkish spokesperson for the demonstration, Ibrahim K.,
told the DEM News Agency about the activities of the National
Movement Party (MHP) in Germany during the 1970s and 80s.
     Alparslan Turkes, the leader of the far right party, not
only maintained close contacts with the German right wing
extremist German Nationalist Party (NPD), rather he was also
"best freind" of then leader of the Bavarian Christian Social
Union (CSU), Franz Joseph Strauss. Close ties with the CSU were
maintained through Turkish industrialist Murat Bayrak. Not only
have several MHP members and members of associated groups been
apprehended at Dusseldorf Airport with large quantities of drugs,
but even Ali Agca, the MHP member who tried to assassinate the
Pope, was transported to Italy via Germany. Violent actions by
the so-called Grey Wolves have generally been aimed at Turkish
and Kurdish opposition groups. There have been several attacks,
including one murder, against foreign trade unionists in Germany.
(DEM News Agency - September 9, 1995)

ARGK Balance Of The Conflict With The KDP: 74 KDP Positions
Captured By The ARGK

     The Peoples Liberation Army of Kurdistan (ARGK), the
military wing of the PKK, has issued a balance from the first 15
days of actions by the 1st Storm Brigade of the ARGK against
positions of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Iraqi
Kurdistan. During this time period, a total of 182 guerilla
attacks were carried out and 35 military posts and 39 hilltop
positions of the KDP were captured by ARGK guerrillas. A large
section of Iraqi Kurdistan is now under PKK control.
     According to the ARGK, 291 people have been killed,
including 270 KDP peshmergas and 21 PKK guerillas.
     At least an equal number have been wounded in the fighting.
The ARGK have also arrested 93 collaborators and agents,
including 3 of high rank and 1 member of the secret police.
     The ARGK has also indicated that the KDP are extending their
attacks against Kurdish refugees. Local witnesses have also
reported KDP attacks on some of the 16,000 refugees from Turkish
Kurdistan who are living in camps near Etrus. During one such
attack, the KDP allegedly fired mortar rounds at the camp. There
have also been scuffles with the camps self defence units. In its
press release, the ARGK criticized the silence of the United
Nations with respect to KDP attacks on civilians. (DEM News
Agency - September 10, 1995)

More ARGK Attacks In South Kurdistan

     According to reports from the ARGK, all eastern stations in
the city of Sersting in Iraqi Kurdistan have been captured by the
ARGK. Guerrillas forced their way into the city and destroyed the
party headquarters of the KDP.

Hizava Under ARGK Control

     ARGK guerillas attacked a military station and a control
centre of the KDP in the village of Hizava yesterday.

ARGK Road Block Near Zaxo

     ARGK guerrillas set up a road block on the road between Zaxo
and the city of Batufa. The guerrillas detained several persons,
including those with KDP passports.

Bamerli Under ARGK Control

     Guerillas from the ARGK increased their attacks on KDP
stations in the city of Bamerli yesterday, after they overran the
KDPs hilltop defences outside the city. (DEM News Agency -
September 10, 1995)

7,000 Protest The Murder Of Seyfettin Kalan In Neumunster

     On September 9, 7,000 people protested in Neumunster against
the murder of Kurdish activist Seyfettin Kalan by Turkish
fascists six days earlier. Seyfettin was killed on September 3 by
members of the "Grey Wolves", two other Kurds were wounded.
     The very fact that funeral processions are the only
allowable form of political expression for the Kurdish exile
community shows the reality of the situation which Kurds in
Germany have faced since Kanther's bans went into effect. The
murder of Seyfettin Kalan is the climax of an increasing wave of
provocations and attacks on Kurdish establishments by Turkish
fascists, the "Grey Wolves" (MHP), or by other pro-government
forces, sometimes with the direct support of the Turkish
consulate. (Extract from the demonstration preparatory
committee.)

Village In Van Forcibly Evacuated

     Military forces have forcibly evacuated the village of Kers
(Koklu in Turkish) near Gevas in the province of Van. The
military had previously threatened to evacuate the villagers if
they refused to become state paid village guards. The evacuation
orders were given to the 100 families in the village following a
guerrilla rocket attack which destroyed 2 army panzers. (DEM News
Agency - September 13, 1995)

Statement From Sinn Fein Councillor Mary Nelis

     Sinn Fein Councillor Mary Nelis has called again for
'immediate action to be taken by the international community
against the Turkish government'. The councillor was speaking as
increasing evidence comes to light of the systematic rape of
Kurdish women prisoners and combatants in Turkey. According to
evidence presented by the French Terre des Femmes group, women in
Turkish prisons are subjected to humilliation, torture and rape.
Amnesty International, in a recent report, stated that all women
are sexually assaulted when they are tortured. The torture of
women, which entails sexually-motivated violence against the
female gender, means that the imprisonment of women in Turkey
represents a gender specific form of human rights violations. War
crimes such as rape are an issue for us all. We must not remain
silent while these crimes are committed on a daily basis. I would
urge all those who support human rights and particularly women's
rights to contact the Turkish Embassy in Dublin to call for an
end to its brutal campaign against against the Kurds." (Press
Release - September 18, 1995)

Journalists Released

     Necmiye and Emin Arslanoglu 2 journalists from Ozgur Halk
and Ozgur Ulke who have been held in Diyarbakir prison for the
last 5 months were released on the 3rd of October. Emin
Arslanoglu was detained while with two western journalists Gunnar
Hybertson and Heidi Lankish researching for a programme. His
sister Necmiye was taken into custody 10 days later. Mevlut
Bozkur was also taken into custody, and was also released. (Ozgur
Politika - October 6, 1995)
     "Necmiye and Emin sat between two soldiers. Emin had lost
weight and his face was white with dark rings around his eyes
When he saw me a little light came into his eyes. Necmiye smiled
broadly and waved.
     They were taken outside and left in a car for 6 hours while
first the court was adjourned and then legal arguments were
given. The lawyer told the court I was a witness and the judge
asked me in which language did I wish to address the court.
"Kurdish" I replied. There was a stunned silent pause "Kurdish
cannot be spoken in this court," I was warned sternly. When the
judge announced that they were free to go, the Kurds in the court
spontaneously shouted "Kazaniyoruz" (we are winning). The whole
family have been threatened. "This soldier says he will kill me"
Necmiye shouted to me, pointing at the soldier guarding her. She
was smiling. Later when they were released, both Necmiye and Emin
asked me to thank all who had sent letters of protest and
campaigned for them in Britain. We need to watch them, they are
now in terrible danger.
     "Without the campaign they would not now be free. This is
unprecedented." (Heidi Lankish, delegate to trial of Necmiye and
Emin Arslanoglu, November 5, 1994)

Turkish PM Wins Backing

     Tansu Ciller, Turkey's caretaker Prime Minister, said last
night she had won presidential approval for a minortity
government. It is expected to get support from two small parties
- from the far right and centre left. "The president has approved
the government," Mrs Ciller said after a 45 minute meeting with
President Suleyman Demirel. His approval of her cabinet list -
composed of deputies from her conservative True Path Party (DYP)
comes three weeks after her right-left coalition collapsed. Her
new govenment is expected to draw support from the far-right
Nationalist Action party (MHP). Ciller has signed a seven-point
protocol with its leader, Mr Alparslan Turkes. She will also rely
on support from former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's Democratic
Social party (DSP), as well as some independent MPs.
Ciller agreed to Turkes's demand to negotiate an end to a three
week strike by public sector workers. They are demanding pay
rises which the government ways will breach its strict spending
controls. Turkes also said he would refuse to support relaxation
of Turkeys draconian anti terrorism law. European Parliament
members have said they will reject a trade pact between Turkey
and the EU unless this law is reformed.
Financial Times, 6 October

August 1995 Delegation Reports From North-West Kurdistan Out Now!

     "We will continue resistance until we get results. No
persecution or suppression will wear us down." (Kurdish woman on
hunger strike) Journalist Marie Ryan, human rights campaigner
from Manchester, Hazel Greenwood and lawyer Sadiq Khan who visted
north-west Kurdistan to observe the trial of Necmiye and Emin
Arslanloglu on 3 October and other widespread human rights abuses
by the Turkish military, have published their reports, now
available from KSC and KIC. Ring for your copy now: 0171 250 1315
or 0171 586 5892.

Turkey, Unfulfilled Promise Of Reform

     Turkish citizens are still 'disappearing' and dying as a
result of torture in Turkish police stations, and prisoners of
conscience are still being jailed for expressing their non
violent opinions. Extrajudicial executions and political killings
continue.
     Despite government promises of a "renaissance of human
rights", not one of the long overdue legal safeguards recommended
by the UN Committee against Torture or the European Committee for
the Prevention of Torture has been put in place. Nor has the
Turkish Government fulfilled its undertaking to secure the
release of prisoers of conscience. (Amnesty International Report
- September 1995)

Important notice: In the run-up to the appeal against extradition
to Germany of Kani Yilmaz there will be weekly pickets outside
No. 10 Downing Street, we are expecting a little more interest
from the press this time and need as many people as possible to
attend these pickets. They cannot silence the truth, it will soon
be known, please attend these pickets they begin FRIDAY 20
OCTOBER 3-7PM. AND THEN EVERY FRIDAY AFTER THAT AT THE SAME TIME,
SEE YOU THERE!!!! (Bring your friends and family, and some
home-made placards, write what you feel.)