WASHINGTON
January 18, 2000
Dear Bob:
Thank you
for your letter concerning Turkey’s Kurds and the incarceration of PKK
leader Abdullah Ocalan.
I share
your views on the need for greater democracy in Turkey and in my address last
month to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, I spoke of the right of
Turkey’s citizens of Kurdish origin "to lead a normal life." In
my meetings with Prime Minister Ecevit at the White House in September and in
Ankara in November, I strongly urged him to continue the noteworthy progress he
has begun in expanding democratic practice in Turkey. Since taking office last
spring, the Prime Minister has worked diligently to support the expansion of
democracy and individual freedom in his country. Among his many achievements,
one in particular stands out: the passage of amendments to the Political
Parties Law providing greater protection of political organizations, including
pro-Kurdish and pro-Islamic parties. Moreover, Foreign Minister Cem recently
suggested publicly that all Turkish citizens should be allowed to speak,
broadcast, and study in their mother tongue – whatever that may be.
My
Administration strongly supports the vigorous debate about the Kurds now
underway in Turkey. Part of that debate focuses on concrete ways to improve
democracy for all, including redressing and accepting as legitimate the
grievances of Turkey’s Kurds. It also deals with what many Turkish
citizens view as symbolically important issues, such as the death penalty for
PKK leader Ocalan. As you know the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
recently issued an interim decision asking the Turkish Government to stay the
execution pending the ECHR’s review of the case. While the issue of ECHR
jurisdiction remains controversial to many Turkish citizens, the Ecevit
Government, nevertheless, has signaled its willingness to await the
Court’s decision on the matter. That it did so is a testimony to Prime
Minister Ecevit’s leadership and to the process of democratization in
Turkey.
Again,
thank you for sharing your views on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Bill Clinton
The
Honorable Bob Filner
House of
Representatives
Washington,
DC 20515