TURKEY: DIYARBAKIR MAYOR OSMAN BAYDEMIR'S MARCH 30 STATEMENT

UNCLAS ADANA 000071 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CASC TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: DIYARBAKIR MAYOR OSMAN BAYDEMIR'S MARCH 30 STATEMENT TO PROTESTORS CORRECTED COPY: CAPTION SENSITIVE DELETED ¶1. (U) Post's iniformal translation of Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir's March 30 statement before protestors follows. ¶2. (U) Begin translation: Dear Press Members, Respectable People of Diyarbakir, The events that have occurred in the past one week in the region and in the past two days in our city have reached dimensions that would seriously damage our peoples' desire and willpower for cohabitation. The city is tense, anxieties are high. Under current circumstances, a democratic and common sense approach is more urgent than at any time. We believe that all these things being experienced are stemming from the lack of a lasting and peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue. The current oppressive approaches, which are dominated by security perspectives, have unfortunately been dragging the chances for a peaceful solution of the Kurdish issue and democratization into a situation where no solutions are being offered. (literally: a no-solution policy). Many people have been wounded with firearms as a result of the security forces' intervention in the demonstrations which have been staged here, and two persons have lost their lives as of now. There are wounded people who are still facing death. Again, many businesses and common areas in the city have been damaged. Everybody, particularly the Government, should approach the issue in a civil and common sense manner and take responsibility immediately. A comprehensive, wide-spread civil and democratic struggle against the imposed no-solution policy is required. For this reason, while demanding democratic rights and freedoms, the methods to be used in the struggle should also be democratic to prevent incurring further oppressive waves. Any further mounting reactions should be of the nature that would contribute to a democratic and peaceful solution of these problems. As a city, our grief is great, and with every passing second, we are facing risks that would increase our bitterness. We understand the concerns of the people and share their grief. Under current circumstances, in order not to suffer more grief and damages, we invite everybody to show common sense and fortitude, and contribute to the normalization of daily life. ¶3. (U) End translation. REID