News From 'Kurdistan-Rundbrief' Nr.

[kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu]

From: Arm The Spirit <ats at locust.etext.org>
Subject: News From 'Kurdistan-Rundbrief' Nr.20

Kurdistan Is A Mine Field

     According to the Antep section of the Human Rights
Association (IHD), Kurdistan is being turned into a mine field.
In particular, the 700-km border with Syria, which has been mined
since 1951, continues to take human lives. A total of 10,600
people have been killed in mine explosions there since 1951, and
over 9,500 hectares of land cannot be cultivated. (Ozgur Politika
- August 18, 1997)

More Than 100 Members Of The U.S. Congress Demand Freedom For
Leyla Zana

     More than 100 members of the Congress of the United States
have signed a letter to President Bill Clinton, calling on the
U.S. government to work towards the release of Kurdish
parliamentarian Leyla Zana. In a TV broadcast on September 12,
Congressman Bob Filner (D) defended the letter against criticism
from Turkish viewers. (AKIN)

International Arms Bazaar In Ankara

     An international arms bazaar hosted in Ankara, Turkey was
visited by 60 delegations from 25 countries. A total of 219
foreign and domestic firms displayed their wares. The following
is a breakdown of the countries represented by weapons makers at
the bazaar: Turkey, 69; USA, 44; Germany, 22; France, 16; Israel,
13; Great Britain, 10; Italy, 8; Russia, 6; Spain, 6; The
Netherlands, 3; Slovakia, 3; Canada, 2; China, 2; Pakistan, 2;
Bulgaria, 2; Switzerland, 2; UAE, 2; Ukraine, 1; Hungary, 1;
Indonesia, 1; Japan, 1; Luxembourg, 1; Poland, 1; Romania, 1.
(Ulkede Gundem - September 24, 1997)

3-Day Protest Hungerstrike

     A joint call was issued by political prisoners from the PKK,
TDKP, Direnis Hareketi, MLKP, TKP-ML, TIKB, and the DHP in the
Nevsehir Type-E prison for a 3-day protest hungerstrike. The
prisoners are protesting against: the new cell system which the
government wants to introduce; poor prison conditions; the
insults by guards who accompany prisoners during health checks;
and the confiscation of magazines and books. (Ulkede Gundem -
September 26, 1997)

Hungerstrike Ended After 32 Days

     A hungerstrike by political prisoners in Malatya was ended
after 32 days. A statement from the striking prisoners stated
that their demands had been met. These included: an end to
restrictions on lawyers' visits; the delivery of printed matter;
an end to restricted visiting hours; visits between male and
female political prisoners; better health provisions; no more
prisoner transfers. (Ulkede Gundem - September 25, 1997)

(Translated by Arm The Spirit from 'Kurdistan-Rundbrief' Nr.20,
Vol.10 - October 7, 1997)

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