Turkey closes off borders with Iran, investigations continue with Ocalan
Regional-Turkey, Politics, 2/23/1999

Turkish security forces intensified their fortifications in Mudania province which overlooks the Marmarah Sea, as Turkish investigators continue to question leader of the Kurdistani Workers Party, Abdullah Ocalan.

Turkish security sources said that the police force is inspecting all citizens who pass through the province, which is part of the Turkish district of Boursa which overlooks Marmarah sea, where Ocalan is being held on Amrali island.

Meanwhile, Turkish local authorities in Van province announced that Turkey had closed its borders with Iran because of the demonstration of objection over arresting Ocalan.

The Kurdistani Workers Party PKK warned against the consequences of any intervention by Turkish doctors in Ocalan's health after the Turkish daily Milliet published news on Ocalan's health problems.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the European Union asked Turkey to accept UN observers during Ocalan's trial. In a statement released following their meeting in Luxembourg, the EU foreign ministers expressed regret over the results of arresting Ocalan: disorder and acts of violence. The statement described these acts as "unacceptable."

The EU explained the "importance of defending the legal and legitimate rights by political means rather than acts of violence." The EU foreign ministers voiced support for the unity of the Turkish territories but called upon the Turkish authorities to settle problems by political means and within the framework of honoring human rights and in compliance with its obligations as member in the "European Council."

In another development, the Israeli Foreign Ministry called upon Israelis who travel abroad to be careful due to developments arising from Israel's perceived involvement in arresting Ocalan.

In this respect, Israel Radio said the Foreign Ministry does not impose restrictions on the travel of Israeli citizens, but it warned against the angered reactions of Ocalan's supporters, especially following the killing of four Kurdish demonstrators by guards at the Israeli consulate in Germany.

Previous Stories:
  Ocalan to be tried in April   (2/22/1999)
  Report: Ocalan's lawyer tells the story of his capture   (2/19/1999)
  Ocalan capture: Mossad kills 3 Kurds in Berlin   (2/18/1999)

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