TURKEY / KURDS (S-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMIN/ANKARA

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

DATE=8/15/95

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-183677

TITLE=TURKEY / KURDS (S-ONLY)

BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMIN

DATELINE=ANKARA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: KURDISH REBELS HAVE KILLED A TOP POLICE OFFICER IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY. THE INCIDENT COINCIDES WITH THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAUNCHING OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, GUERRILLA WAR FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE REBELS KILLED COLONEL RIDVAN OZDEN AND TWO NON-COMMISSIONED ARMY OFFICERS, NEAR ORMANCIK VILLAGE IN MARDIN PROVINCE, MONDAY NIGHT. A MEMBER OF THE PRO-GOVERNMENT VILLAGE GUARD MILITIA WAS ALSO KILLED IN THE CLASH.

THE OFFICIALS SAY 13 P-K-K FIGHTERS WERE KILLED IN A GUN BATTLE, AFTER TURKISH SECURITY FORCES TRACKED DOWN THE ATTACKERS. THEY SAY CLASHES BETWEEN THE SIDES CONTINUED UNTIL TUESDAY MORNING.

THE P-K-K HAS TRADITIONALLY INCREASED ITS ATTACKS ON AND AROUND THE AUGUST 15TH -- WHICH MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE THEIR FIRST ARMED ATTACK AGAINST TURKISH SECURITY FORCES IN THE MAINLY-KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION. OVER MORE THAN 18 THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE INSURGENCY.

OBSERVERS SAY THE FACT THE REBELS WERE ABLE TO KILL SUCH A HIGH-LEVEL OFFICER REFLECTS THEIR CONTINUING STRENGTH. BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT CLAIMS -- IN THE WORDS OF INTERIOR MINISTER NAHIT MENTESE -- THE P-K-K IS ON ITS LAST LEGS.

(SIGNED) .

NEB / AZ / WOD / GPT

15-Aug-95 10:26 AM EDT (1426 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America