July 23, 1998

The Nobel Peace Prize Committee
Nobelinsintuttet
Drammensvein 19
N-0255 Oslo, Norway

Dear Committee Members:

I am writing to you today to encourage you to consider the nomination of 
Leyla Zana for the Nobel Peace Prize.  She is a woman who refused to accept 
the oppression of her people and began openly advocating Kurdish rights.  In 
1991, She was elected to a seat in the Turkish Parliament, but after speaking 
out on behalf of the Kurds before the Helsinki Commission of the United 
States Congress and elsewhere, her parliamentary immunity was revoked.  
She was then sentenced to 15 years in jail for her activities.

As an American, I applaud Leyla's efforts and am outraged that she would be 
imprisoned for nothing more than peacefully sharing her views with others.  
Bestowing this award on her will not only recognize her own peaceful 
struggle and that of her people but could also be the first step on the road to 
resolving this enduring Turkish-Kurdish conflict.  I strongly encourage you 
to help bring peace to this troubled region by awarding Leyla Zana with the 
prize.

Sincerely,




Ken Calvert
Member of Congress