The American Kurdish Information Network (AKIN)
Media Advisory
                                        202.483.6444
                                    202.270.9008 (cell)
                                    December 8, 2000

                         Mehdi Zana is Available
               to Meet with Members of the Media

Mehdi Zana first came to prominence in 1977 when he was elected to
be the mayor of Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish city in Turkey and the
world, as an avowed Kurdish activist.  Three years later, he was
thrown into jail to endure evil in the form of torture for about two
years.  Incarcerated at various times for a total of more than 17 years, he
is a refugee now living in Europe.

Another Zana that is far more talked about is Leyla Zana, Mr. Zana's
partner, who served in the Turkish parliament and was also thrown
into prison in 1994.  Both Zanas are on record for opposing violence in
the resolution of the Turkish/Kurdish conflict.  Both are admired
immensely throughout the Kurdish lands in the Middle East.  Of the 25
years of marriage life that they have had together, four years have seen
them spend time with one another.

If the Kurds have a non-partisan Kurdish statesman, it could safely be
said that that person is Mehdi Zana.  Some have also called him the
Elie Wiesel of the Kurdish world.  His book, Prison Number 5, like Mr.
Wiesel's Night, is disturbing and poignant.  Perhaps it is not a
coincidence that Mr. Wiesel wrote the preface of Mr. Zana's book when
it first saw the light of day in western world.

Mr. Zana will be in Washington area attending a conference of torture
survivors on the weekend and will stay in town till Wednesday,
December 13, 2000
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The Kurdistan Observer
www.kurdistanobserver.com

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