Zana: This Land Should not be Yugoslavia

The moderate attitudes of the former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan and Selim Sadak, continued during the first visit to their constituents after an 11-year absence.

In her talk at the Station Square yesterday, Zana was self-effacing: "We have matured a great deal. From now on, we will look for our rights without hurting anyone."

During her address, she warned the U.S. and Europe, "This land should not be like Palestine or Lebanon; it should not be Yugoslavia. I speak primarily to the U.S. and Europe: don't force the public into quarrels; don't drown it in blood while pulling it onto your side. One day, you might also be harmed by this crime of humanity."

When Zana and her friends landed at Diyarbakir airport, locals of the City greeted them with Kurdish songs and Anatolian folk dances.

About 40,000 people met for the Peace and Democracy rally. They waved Turkish and Kurdish posters with political demands and exhortations. Three times, in both Turkish and Kurdish, the crowd chanted, 'Live peace.' (MG/HG/YE)