Topic: voa Subject: U-N/TURKEY/IRAQ (S ONLY) By DOUGLAS ROBERTS / GENEVA From: "Demetrios E. Paneras" DATE=3/28/95 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-176180 TITLE= U-N/TURKEY/IRAQ (S ONLY) BYLINE= DOUGLAS ROBERTS DATELINE= GENEVA CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS PLANNING TO EVACUATE MORE KURDISH REFUGEES FROM THE TURKISH ARMY'S ZONE OF OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ. VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS THE PLAN WAS ANNOUNCED IN GENEVA TODAY BY OFFICIALS OF THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES. TEXT: AROUND 14-HUNDRED KURDISH REFUGEES WERE SAFELY ESCORTED OUT OF THE NORTHERN IRAQI TOWN OF ZAKHO ON SUNDAY TO CAMPS AT ATTROUSH, WELL OUTSIDE THE TURKISH ARMY'S ZONE OF OPERATIONS. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND SAYS THE SECOND EVACUATION IS PLANNED FOR THURSDAY. OFFICIALS HERE ESTIMATE AROUND THREE THOUSAND TURKISH KURDS REMAIN IN ZAKHO AND NEARBY VILLAGES. THEY SAY MANY WERE RELUCTANT TO COME OUT INTO THE OPEN FOR SUNDAY'S EVACUATION FOR FEAR THEY WOULD BE ARRESTED BY TURKISH TROOPS. BUT MR. REDMOND SAYS THE REMAINING REFUGEES APPEAR TO HAVE GAINED CONFIDENCE FROM THE SUCCESS OF SUNDAY'S OPERATION, AND AT LEAST 25 FAMILIES HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED FOR THE NEXT CONVOY. THE ATTROUSH CAMPS ARE LOCATED 160 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF THE BORDER. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN ASSURANCES THE CAMPS WILL NOT BE ATTACKED UNLESS THEY ARE USED AS SPRINGBOARDS FOR GUERRILLA RAIDS BY THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT NO ARMED ELEMENTS HAVE FOUND REFUGE IN THE CAMPS. (SIGNED) NEB/DBR/MH/GPT 28-Mar-95 9:29 AM EST (1429 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America ------------------------------------------------------------------------------