Subject: TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN/ANKARA
Topic: voa
From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)
 
DATE=4/19/95
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-177222
TITLE=TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN
DATELINE=ANKARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A SENIOR TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIAL SAYS TURKEY'S MONTH- 
OLD INCURSION INTO NORTHERN IRAQ IS DRAWING TO AN END.   AS 
AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, HIS REMARKS COINCIDE WITH 
PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE, WHERE SHE
WILL MEET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON LATER TODAY (EDS NOTE: AT ABOUT 
14 GMT).

INTRO:  GENERAL ORHAN YONEY, THE OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF PLANNING 
AND OPERATIONS AT THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF, SAYS THE 35-THOUSAND
TURKISH TROOPS WHO SWEPT INTO NORTHERN IRAQ ON MARCH 20TH HAVE 
ACCOMPLISHED THEIR MISSION.  BUT HE STOPPED SHORT OF ANNOUNCING A
WITHDRAWAL DATE FOR THE TURKISH FORCES.  HE MADE THE COMMENTS IN 
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SEMI-OFFICIAL ANATOLIAN NEWS AGENCY.

IT IS THE FIRST TIME A SENIOR TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIAL HAS GONE 
ON RECORD AS INDICATING THAT THE TURKISH INCURSION MIGHT BE OVER 
SOON.  THERE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD REPORTS IN THE TURKISH MEDIA, 
QUOTING UNNAMED MILITARY OFFICIALS, AS SAYING THE TROOP 
WITHDRAWAL WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-MAY.

GENERAL YONEY SAYS THE MILITARY'S DRIVE AGAINST THE ESTIMATED TWO
THOUSAND MEMBERS OF THE  OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR 
P-K-K, HAS RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF VAST AMOUNTS OF THEIR 
WEAPONS AND SUPPLIES.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS HERE SAY IT APPEARS GENERAL YONEY'S COMMENTS 
WERE TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S
MEETING IN WASHINGTON WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON.

WHILE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR WHAT 
IT DESCRIBES AS TURKEY'S LEGITIMATE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM, IT 
HAS ALSO WARNED ANKARA AGAINST AN EXTENDED STAY IN NORTHERN IRAQ 
AND HAS BEEN PRESSING TURKISH OFFICIALS TO GIVE A DATE FOR THE 
WITHDRAWAL.

MRS. CILLER HAS REFUSED TO SET A TIMETABLE, SAYING TURKISH TROOPS
WILL BE PULLED BACK ONLY WHEN THEIR MISSION IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAS 
BEEN COMPLETED.  (SIGNED)

NEB/AZ/SKH/MMK

19-Apr-95 8:54 AM EDT (1254 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America