Stand Up For Human Rights

	Many Kurdish people from Turkey have chosen the Peninsula to make 
their home.  They have been productive and successful since coming to 
California, but they have not forgotten their roots and relatives back 
home.  In the United States today there is an effort underway to secure 
the release of Leyla Zana.
	Zana is the first Kurdish woman ever elected to the Turkish 
Parliament and is currently serving a 15-year sentence for treason.  A 
group called the American Kurdish Information Network is working with 
100 members of Congress who have signed a letter urging President 
Clinton to press for Zana's release.
	One of the main charges against Zana was her testimony before the 
U.S. Congress regarding human rights violations in Turkey.  She was 
elected to parliament with 84 percent of the vote in 1991 and, as a 
member of that body, spoke out for Kurdish rights.  Her speeches were 
considered a violation for the unity of the state, and the Anti-Terror 
Law in Turkey.
	Most Americans don't realize what we consider free speech in this 
country is considered treason in Turkey.  Speaking up against human 
rights abuses and for political autonomy has gotten Zana a 15-year 
prison term.  The same kind of suppression of freedom that has caused 
such great concern in this country when China's government tramples on 
the rights of dissidents, has for a long time been common practice in 
Turkey.
	But there is one major difference between China and Turkey.  In 
China there is little the United States can do because that nation has 
long harbored fears of western influence and interference.  In Turkey, 
the United States has long been a solid ally and our continued military 
support is necessary for the survival of its government.  But Turkey's 
membership in NATO has protected it from criticism by the U.S. 
government.
	Until today, those are exactly the reasons the U.S. has not spoken 
out against Turkey.  In the Islamic world, Turkey is our strongest 
friend and ally.  But surely there is good reason for the U.S. to alter 
its course and put pressure on Turkey to change its human rights 
policies.  Surely the Kurds have as much reason to secure American 
support as any other oppressed group in the world.
	To their credit, Congressman Tom Lantos and Congresswoman Anna 
Eshoo have joined with 85 other members to press President Clinton to 
intercede on behalf of Leyla Zana.  Conspicuous by their absence on this 
list are Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, who has been at the forefront of 
criticism of China's human rights abuses, and Congressman Tom Campbell, 
who seldom takes a position on human rights issues in the world.
	Shame on both of you.