ASF Archive Documents Elena Bonner's letter to President Clinton On the war in Kurdistan and the offer of unilateral cease-fire by Kurdish rebels. Elena Bonner appeals for political solution of the conflict in Kurdistan. .

February 18, 1996

The President
The White House
Washington, DC. 20500

Dear President Clinton!

The war in Kurdistan has taken already more than 20,000 innocent lives and made more than 3,000,000 Kurds homeless.

In spite of that, on December 15, 1995 the leaders of Kurdish people announced a unilateral cease-fire.

I call on you to appreciate Kurdish people's commitment to peace and legality, and to use your good offices to support actively the search for political solution of this tragic conflict.

I want to use this occasion to let you know that the Andrei Sakharov Award, by European Parliament, was given this year to Dr. Layla Zana, the presently imprisoned Kurdish activist.

With respect and hope,

Elena Bonner

translated by Alexey Semyonov