July 14, 1998

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

Dear Committee Members:

I am writing to ask that you give your utmost consideration to the 
nomination of Leyla Zana for the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize, a gesture that could 
initiate an end to Turkey's appalling discriminatory policies against its 
Kurdish citizens.

In October 1991, Leyla Zana was elected by an overwhelming margin to 
represent her hometown of Diyarbakir, becoming the first Kurdish woman 
ever elected to the Turkish Parliament.  As a result of her exercise of the right 
to free speech in defending the rights of the Kurdish people, she was arrested 
and convicted of treason by Turkish authorities.  In December 1994, she was 
sentenced to 15 years in prison and remains there today.

One of the examples used by the Turkish government as evidence of her 
"separatist" activity was her testimony before the United States Congress' 
Committee on the Helsinki Commission, where she addressed the 
oppression of the Kurds living in Turkey and voiced her hopes for a peaceful 
solution between the two parties.

Zana's courageous efforts to promote democratic change through 
nonviolence have been admired and revered by many.  She is the recipient of 
numerous peace prizes and honorary friendship awards.

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Leyla Zana would serve as a valiant 
attempt by the committee to bring an end to the suffering of the Kurdish 
people.  It would bring to the world's attention Zana's message of hope for a 
peaceful coexistence to end the misery that has plagued the Kurdish people.  I 
hope that you will agree to initiate harmony in an area where peace has been 
so long awaited.

Sincerely,




Nick Lampson
Member of Congress