Former DEP Deputy Zana Receives EU's Sakharov Award

BRUSSELS - Leyla Zana, a former deputy of the banned Democracy Party (DEP), received Sakharov Award of the European Union (EU) on Thursday.
Speaking at the European Parliament (EP), Zana said that this award was ``in fact granted to Turkey.``
Zana, who started her speech in Turkish and ended in Kurdish, said, ``you in fact gave this award to not only me, but also to the Kurdish people, sister Turkish people, and Turkey.``
``Kurds are willing to reach a peaceful solution to their problem in Turkey`s geographical integrity. They respect all values of the Turkish Republic. But, the government seems as if it insists on not understanding those sincere initiatives of Kurds,`` Zana said.
``The language and method of solution of our age is dialogue, compromise and peace. It is not `die and kill,` but `live and let live`,`` Zana also said.
Zana stated, ``Copenhagen criteria should be implemented genuinely. Taking social and economic measures to eliminate disparities of development among regions is crucial. Obstacles before using my mother tongue through press should be lifted, and it should be an elective course in basic education institutions. A new and democratic constitution that complies with universal law should be made.``
Recalling the statement of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer about references to ``minorities`` in the progress report on Turkey, Zana said, ``Kurds should be acknowledged as a component of the majority (in Turkey).``
At a press conference afterward with EP President Josep Borrell Fonteles, Zana said that Turkey had indeed made progress thanks to reforms, although slowly, and added that she did not think there was systematic torture in Turkey in the present day.
(BRC-ULG) 14.10.2004