Killing of Journalists in Turkey

[PeaceNet Middle East Team]

From: <pnmideast>
Subject: Killing of Journalists in Turkey

Subject: IPI concerned about murder of journalists in Turkey
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 92 9:23:30 PDT

	ANKARA, Turkey (UPI) -- International Press Institute director Peter
Galiner said Tuesday his organization was concerned about the killing of
eight journalists in southeastern Turkey in the past few months.
	Galiner, who was addressing a news conference after holding
discussions with Turkish officials, was referring to the killing of
eight journalists in southeastern Turkey since February.
	The murders occurred against a background of a bitter struggle
between the Turkish security forces and separatist guerrillas affiliated
to the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK.
	The IPI chief said ``the absence of any response (by the Turkish
authorities) to the numerous expressions of our concern has led to
avoidable misunderstanding.''
	However, he said, ``the IPI was relieved to record the categorical
statements made by Prime Minister Sulayman Demirel that his anguish
would be matched by a determination to bring the perpetrators of these
crimes of violence to justice.''
	During his stay in Turkey, Galiner held discussions with Demirel and
Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin, who assured him that steps were being
taken to bring the killers to justice.