20,000 TURKISH troops are reported to have invaded South West (Iraqi) Kurdistan. They claim to control over 150 square miles of 'Iraqi territory.
New troops cross the border every day, supported by bombing raids. They are reputed to have massacred over 1,000 people at Haftanin last Saturday.
Not surprisingly neither John Major nor George Bush has voiced a single word of condemnation of this invasion of another sovereign state.
NATO
After all, Turkey is a member of NATO and a loyal western ally.
The decision to invade was taken because the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) had failed to militarily defeat the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK).
Turkey was already stepping up war against the Kurdish people and PKK when the KDP and PUK leaders decided to join in. KDP leader Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani 7 Nov, 1992 No. 31 (PUK) met with Turkish Prime Minister Demirel just after the Turkish army had razed Sirnak.
Attacks on the PKK are a logical consequence of Barzani's and Talabani's reliance on the major imperialist powers to grant them autonomy within the existing borders of Iraq. They prefer power in a truncated 'Kurdistan' to waging any fight for real Kurdish independence. Turkey, the main military force in the region, armed and supported by imperialism, is an important ally. Hence the attempts by the KDP and PUK to prevent PKK fighters returning into North East (Turkish") Kurdistan.
Equally they don't want to upset their pro-imperialist allies in the newly formed Iraqi National Congress in which Barzani sits as one of the three members of the presidential council.
Bloodshed
The PKK must also take its share of responsibility for the recent blood. lettina. In August they organised a blockade of South West Kurdistan. preventing lorries from crossing the border.
Since Saddam continues to blockade the only other access route it is obvious the PKK's actions would be resented. The PKK called off their 'boycott after 3 weeks but resumed again at the beginning of October.
There is a long history of Kurdish groups settling their political differences through bloodshed. During the Iran-Irag war Talabani and the KDP of Iran joined forces with Saddam Hussein to fight against Barzani and his allies in the Iranian regime.
Each time imperialism has used the differences to deny the Kurdish people their own state. Barzani and Talabani appear to have, belatedly, recognised that the Turkish government's actions are also directed against them, even if they continue to blame the PKK.
Repression
Whatever our differences with the politics and methods of the PKK we stand fully with them against the repressive Turkish regime.
Socialists must demand the imme diate withdrawal of Turkish troops from the whole of Kurdistan and the right of the Kurdish people to self-determination. Barzani and Talabani should unite with the PKK to repel the Turkish invasion of Kurdish territory. Electroplating works at 10 Downing Street for a rally at Handsworth Leisure Centre.
The strikers (mainly punjabi women) are out for trade union recognition (GMB), equal pay, adequate health and safety, ending of forced overtime (65 nours weeklv) and a living vage (men received 120 anc women only 90).
Industrial Tribunal cases are pending on wrongful deducions, dismissal and equal pay Horrified officers of the Health and Safety Executive G M B OFFICI DISPUT DOWNING ST. a OFFICH PHOTO: Mark Salmon DISPUT affected and the strike is really biting now.
Coaches are coming from GMB branches in London and other areas, hopefully other trade unions, labour movement bodies, Black Communities and feminist organisations, will supply the support needed on the day.
For further information, messages ofsupport and donations contact: Burnsall Strike Fund, GMB, Will Thorn House, 2 Birmingham Road, Halesowen, B63 3HP. 021 550 4888 ATU
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