October 20, 1997--Washington, D.C.

Members of the press, colleagues, friends, and the courageous persons who, today, are initiating a fast for peace in Kurdistan, and for the freedom of Leyla Zana, and other elected representatives, who are currently under arrest in Turkey for exercising their rights of free speech on behalf of the Kurdish people.

We are here to honor those who will be fasting, and through our words and statements, to let them know that they are not alone, and that the nonviolent action, begun here today, is noted and supported.

This cause is a just one.  This fast seeks to focus attention on what is an undeclared war, against the Kurdish people, which rages currently through Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

I appreciate that some of the most committed and conscientious activists for human rights take on the challenge of a fast in order to make visible an issue of injustice.  Today, just such a group of persons are taking on the cause of the jailing of Layla Zana and of other democratically elected Kurdish members of the Turkish parliament.  I want to reiterate that Leyla Zana was arrested in the Turkish Parliament building and stripped of her office, in part, because she spoke openly before a body of the U.S. Congress.  Her offense was to tell our Congressional "Helsinki Commission" the specifics of the tolls which the Kurds have suffered at the hands of our NATO ally, the Turkish  government.

Mrs. Zana spoke in exercise of her rights of free speech and in a nonviolent manner.  Her words were said to have violated Turkey's strict freedom of expression laws.  For those of us who support the full practice of democracy, it is particularly painful that those who have arrested Leyla Zana and her colleagues are long-time NATO allies of the United States.

I urge President Clinton and his advisors to pay close attention to the issues which motivate those who are fasting here today.  I ask that President Clinton instructs our Secretary of State to raise Mrs. Zana's case and the cases of other imprisoned Kurdish parliamentarians with the Turkish authorities, and to seek her, and their, release.

I urge also that the Turkish authorities take steps to release the democratically elected representatives of their Kurdish citizens.  I honor the integrity, the conviction, the conscience and the will of those of you who have undertaken this fast.  I wish you strength in your vigil, and I pray that the eyes and ears of my Colleagues, and my President, will be opened to your pleas.

On behalf of all of us, I thank you for your efforts.