Self determination for the Kurds CLINTON'S BOMBING of Iraq has once again shown the bankruptcy and hypocrisy of US policy in the region.
Although it is portrayed as a response to saddam Hussein s seizure in temporary alliance with Massoud Barzani's Kurdish Democratic Party -of Irbil, this attack is mainly for US domestic purposes.
At the height of the US election campaign, Clinton cannot afford to appear weak in the face of such a provocation by arch-enemy Saddam.
As we go to press, the first reports are coming in of the inevitable civilian casuaites. It also appears that Iraqi troops were already withdrawing from Irbil before the US attack was launched.
But none of this matters to Clinton, who is willing to slaughter as many foreigners as necessary in order to be re-elected. It is not clear if he intends to continue with the attack, though this is unlikely to involve the use of ground troops, with resulting US casualties As usual, the British government, which offered the use of its bases in Diego Garcia is the most slavish sunporter of US action. Socialists in Britain must be ready to respond to any British intervention, including possible military action.
The Iraqi hijackers currently on remand in Britain had all tried unsuccessfully to apply for asylum in several countries. The hijack waas a desperate attempt to escape saddam's brutality and find a safe haven in the West. They should immediately be treed and granted asylum Other western allies have been more sceptical, with Spain opposing OF Kurds demonstrate in Tralfalgar Square September / the attack and Germany expressing colors.
he Arab League has also condemned the attack. There has not yet been any public response from Turkey, which under its new Islamic government has been hinting at a realignment in its foreign policy towards the Arab world and away from the West.
The latest developments once again demonstrate the emptiness of the UN's 'safe havens' policy. In Irbil, which was supposed to be just such a "safe haven', dozens of Iraqi dissidents have apparently been murdered by Saddam's Republican Guards Saddam's attack is only the latest in a series of military interventions by Turkey, Iran and Iraq against Kurdish guerillas operating from the 'safe haven'. Iran - in alliance with Jalal Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan - is reported to have occupied a large part of the zone Last year when Turkey invaded the area as part of its vicious campaign against the Kurdish People's Party the West stood aside.
These interventions are no surprise to those who have argued that 'safe havens' are a fraud. In both Bosnia and Kurdistan, they were designed to ensure stability for imperialism, not to protect victims of aggression, and certainly not to ensure self-determination.
In Bosnia, 'safe havens' were the alternative to arming those fighting for a multi-national and united Bosnia. Massacre in Srebrenica was the result.
The Kurdish 'safe haven' was a way of denying the legitimate demand for an independent Kurdish state. This demand has been resisted by the West since theole when Britain bombed and gassed Kurdish guerillas in order to establish the present Iragi state.
Factional and clan fighting between various Kurdish groups has assisted predatory neighbours in their fight against Kurdish self-determinanon. A Kurdish state cannot he achieved in alliance with the reactionary and bloodthirsty regimes in Iraq, Iran and Turkey. rock Blackpool AS THE COUNTDOWN begins to the next general election, the Welfare State Network is determined not to allow this year's Labour Conference degenerate into another stage-managed jamboree.
The Network is supporting a Coast to Coast March from Hull to the Blackpool conference, which will raise in every town en route the need for a radical Labour programme, defend and extend the weare sure Sponsored by Trades Councils and labour movement bodies in Humberside, Yorkshire and the North West, the March will set off from a rally in Hull on September 24, stopping for meetings and receptions in Goole, Doncaster, Barnsley, Huddersfield, Oldham, Manchester, Bury and Preston beAlec McFadden fore its arrival in Blackpool on Tuesday October I.
As one of the march organisers, Alec McFadden, sums up:
"This is not a token protest march but a serious attempt to influence and pesruade the Labour Party to save the welfare state. The marchers will represent a cross section of working class peo. ple: unemployed, low-paid, stu. dents, nurses, civil servants council workers and pensioners."
The rallies en route will build support for the Welfare State Network's Emergency Plan to rebuild the Welfare State. Copies of the Plan are available from the WSN, 183, Queen's Crescent, London NW5 4DS. • To join the march, or sponsor it, contact john Howard 0161-789-2999 or Alec McFadden, 0161-764-8390.
Socialist Outlook 107 • September 7 1996.