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

Dear Committee Members:

As a member of the United States Congress, I am writing to encourage your 
nomination of Leyla Zana for the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize.  I believe that 
review of Leyla Zanašs case will show her to be a prime candidate for this 
yearšs award.  

In 1994, Leyla Zana was imprisoned for her dissidence against the Turkish 
government.  She had used her native Kurdish language in an address to the 
Turkish Parliament to express the developing brotherhood between the 
Kurds and the Turks.  This expression in an ŗillegal˛ language was Zanašs 
initial offense against the Turkish government.  From this point, Zana 
continued to speak against the Turkish governmentšs oppression of the 
Kurds and even addressed the Helsinki Commission of the U.S. Congress.  
Less than a year later, Zanašs constitutional immunity was revoked and she 
was taken into custody by the Turkish police.  As of 1998, at least 10 years of 
Leyla Zanašs sentence remain to be served.

The movement to free Leyla Zana has received International attention.  
There have been demonstrations and fasts on the steps of the U.S. Capitol 
building and speeches entered into the Congressional Record.  President 
Clinton also recognized the plight of Leyla Zana in a letter to U.S. Congress on 
November 20, 1997.

In the light of International attention to Leyla Zanašs case, it seems fitting that 
she receive this international award.  She has become a symbol of strength 
and non-violent resistance for those in her country and around the world.  
She was the first female ever elected to the Turkish parliament, and for this 
reason is a role model as well.

Finally, and most importantly, Leyla Zanašs words resound with the sonorous 
sounds of peace.  She has received awards for her peaceful resistance such as 
the Rose Prize from Denmark, the Aachen Alternative Peace Prize from 
Germany, and the Bruno Kreisky Peace Prize from Austria.  Throughout all 
of the International attention she has received, she still maintains the same 
strong and simple voice.  She speaks from her heart about the need for 
freedom, democracy and peace for her people.  In her December 1997 letter to 
President Clinton, Leyla Zana spoke from prison to reaffirm her commitment 
to the Kurdish people and their quest for freedom.  She said, ŗI prefer to 
remain in prison and view it as an undeferrable and inevitable price for 
peace, brotherhood and for the establishment of a Democratic Turkey.  I feel 
happy and honored to pay this price.˛

These are the words of a powerful leader and model of peaceful dissidence.  
Leyla Zana is a noble woman who has undertaken the weighty task of 
sacrificing her own personal freedom in order to further the cause of her 
people.  This is an act that deserves International recognition.  Leyla Zana and 
Kurdish quest for freedom has become a timely issue and deserves 
recognition.  It is my recommendation that the Committee seriously consider 
her as the recipient of this yearšs Nobel Peace Prize.  Thank you for your 
consideration..

With warmest personal regards,

Sincerely,




Maurice D. Hinchey
Member of Congress