KURDISH activists across Europe are stepping up their campaign for political status for PKK (Kurdish Workers Party) ieader, detained after arriving in Italy on November 12.
Turkey reacted to the detention by demanding Ocalan's extradition for his long time part in the Kurdish liberation struggle, and threatened an economic boycott if Italy does not comply. If sent back Ocalan faces the death penalty.
Protests erupted around the world in support of the Kurdish leader. Up to 40,000 Kurdish, Turkish and Italian trade unionists, workers, students and refugees have demonstrated daily in Rome. In Kurdistan and Turkey thousands defied brutal repression by the police and military, as well as fascjst thugs, and took to the streets.
According to independent Kurdish TV, 2,000 people have been arrested, many of them beaten up and one at least has been killed.
Others have protested by setting fire to themselves, 3 Cook: pussive over Pinochet, will he back genocidal Turkish government? of them dying in Rome and Moscow. In Britain up to 300 people are on hunger strike at Kurdish and Turkish community centres in London and 4.000 demonstrated outside the U.S. embassy against America's support for Turkey.
The Turkish state's genocidal war against its own Kurdish population is one of the most well documented by human rights and other organisations. It has resulted in over 30,000 people losing their lives, over 3,000 villages destroyed and 4 million internally displaced refugees. The PKK has been a focus for resistance, at the same time calling for political dialogue and declaring 3 unilateral cease-fires (the last one being on 1st September this year). Turkey's response has been to continue the war with renewed savagery, and to threaten countries which host. Ocalan, whilst branding the Kurdish leader as an international terrorist. Predictably the US has echoed this view with the State Department calling for Ocalan to be extradited and "brought to justice".
Ocalan's arrival in Italy was a result of his expulsion from Syria, who also have conflicts with Turkey over water from the mighty Euphrates, and the refusal of Russia, Cyprus or Greece to allow him to stay.
Our own British "ethical" Foreign Secretary has made no comment on Ocalan's asylum rights or consequences of extradition, possibly because any criticism of Turkey might upset the lucrative arms trade between the two countries. Indeed Britain's position of support for Turkey is the most. "unequivocal in Europe. It seems increasingly likely that Ocalan will be allowed to stay and pursue his claim in Italy. A week after his arrival, a court of appeal ruled against extradition and he is now being kept in Rome pending a decision on his status there.
Ocalan's supporters have hailed this as a step forward and are calling for his total release and for him to be I cial low rates (for new subscribers only.)
• Britain £20: cheques to OutIlook International, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU 1(Also available in USA $35: Canada $40: Australia $35: New Zealand $35: South Africa I R80: Sweden 330 SEK: Denmark 300 DKK: Hong Kong $120 (These and other agent addresses available on request). L given political status as "the legitimate leader of the Kurdish freedom struggle". This they hope will lead towards a just and lasting settlement of the war. • Messages of solidarity *1: with the hunger strikers can be faxed to 0171 690 4003 or they can be visited at the Halkevi centre, Stoke Newington High Street, London N16.
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