TRKNWS-L News

[newsdesk_aps_nl at apsf.aps.nl]

From: newsdesk_aps_nl at apsf.aps.nl (newsdesk at aps.nl)
Subject: TRKNWS-L  News


Subject: Turkey Defends Rights Record

    ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- The Turkish government on Friday called a
U.S. State Department report on human rights violations
``one-sided'' but said it was pursuing reforms.
    The report, issued Wednesday, said the human rights situation
worsened significantly in Turkey last year because of excessive use
of force to suppress Kurdish terrorism.
    Foreign Ministry spokesman Ferhat Ataman said in a statement
that the report was largely based on accounts given by Turkey's
non-governmental organizations.
    ``The report made the mistake of relaying on biased accounts,
most of which are simply allegations, without confirming them,''
Ataman contended.
    However, he added that Turkey would continue reforms to improve
human rights.
    The State Department cited Turkey for disappearances, forced
evacuations or burning of Kurdish villages, violations of freedom
of speech, oppression of the Kurdish population and harassment of
journalists and human rights activists.
    Most of the allegations stem from Turkey's war against Kurdish
guerrillas seeking autonomy in southeastern Turkey. More than
15,000 people have died in the fighting over the past 10 years.

Subject: Turks Want Suspect Rearrested

    PARIS (AP) -- The Turkish government Friday asked France to
recapture and rearrest the leader of the radical group Dev Sol, who
is suspected of taking part in several murders.
    Turkey had expressed ``disappointment'' over the weekend that
Dursun Karatas, 41, was released from prison by French authorities
last week on condition he remain in France and report regularly to
police.
    Karatas failed to check in with French police Thursday night, an
official of the Turkish Embassy in Paris said.
    ``We have contacted all the ministries concerned to express our
dissatisfaction with the probable escape from the country of this
criminal, and to ask for his arrest,'' said the official, who spoke
on condition of anonymity.
    ``He was freed under `judicial control,' as his attorneys
requested,'' the official said. ``But last night, he violated the
conditions of his freedom.''
    Karatas had been jailed since last September when he was
arrested entering France on a forged Dutch passport.
    A man and a woman, also Dev Sol members, were arrested with
Karatas, who was carrying a firearm, according to a diplomatic
source in Paris.
    Karatas was charged with illegal entry to France, possessing
forged documents, stolen goods and a weapon, and for contact with
terrorist groups.
    Karatas is still considered the leader of Dev-Sol, ``pulling the
strings'' in several murders, and Turkey has since been seeking his
extradition since his arrest, said the source, who would not be
further identified.
    Dev Sol (Revolutionary Left) claimed responsibility for several
minor bomb blasts against U.S., British and French targets in
Turkey during the 1991 Gulf War, and the assassinations of several
retired Turkish policemen, army generals and a former prime
minister.