New amnesty law

Those involved in armed attacks would receive reduced prison terms,
but would first have to provide authorities with information about the rebels, Aksu added. "Except for a very limited group, everyone will benefit. This is a new opportunity," Aksu said at a press conference in Istanbul. "Our goal is
to bring social peace." Kurdish rebels fought a 15-year war for regional autonomy in southeastern
Turkey, in which some 37,000 people were killed. Fighting has died down since the rebels declared a cease-fire in 1999. Turkey rejected the cease-fire.
Thousands of Kurdish rebels are believed to be based in northern Iraq and officials have indicated that the United States, which seeks stability
in the neighboring nation, would welcome an amnesty as a step toward providing
stability in the region. Aksu said the proposed law would encourage rebels to surrender. Those "who have not committed any other crime except for involvement in a terrorist organization and who surrender will go home at once," Aksu
said. (Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV 06-27-03 2312EDT