[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD TURKEY

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 1994

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw to the attention of my 
colleagues a recent exchange of letters with the Department of State 
regarding United States policy toward Turkey and Turkish efforts to 
combat the insurgency of the Kurdistan Workers' Party [PKK] in the 
southeastern part of the country. This exchange was prompted by a VOA 
editorial late last year on United States policy toward the situation 
in southeast Turkey.
  In a number of respects, the situation in Turkey appears to be 
worsening in recent months. The economic situation has deteriorated. 
The government's military offensive in the southeast against the PKK is 
not making much progress despite recent Turkish crossborder bombing in 
Iraq and Iran against PKK strongholds.
  As a key friend and NATO ally of the United States, the situation in 
Turkey is of intense United States interest. It is in our interest and 
in the interest of the United States-Turkish relationship to ensure 
that Turkey successfully resolve the problems in the southeast. 
Military force alone will not solve this problem. A political and 
social solution is critical to the long-term resolution of the 
situation of the Kurds in southeast Turkey.

                                       The Secretary of State,

                                     Washington, January 15, 1994.
     Hon. Lee. H. Hamilton,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of 
         Representatives.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your December 7 letter 
     expressing concern about U.S. policy toward Turkey and 
     Turkish efforts to combat the insurgency of the Kurdistan 
     Workers' Party (PKK) in the southeastern part of the country. 
     I apologize for the delay in our reply.
       You are correct that the situation in the southeast is 
     deteriorating, primarily because the PKK has accelerated its 
     terrorist campaign over the past six months. Increasing PKK 
     attacks have involved acts of murder and extortion against 
     innocent civilians. The PKK has kidnapped foreign tourists, 
     including a young American who was held for seven weeks late 
     last year. PKK terrorism also has an international dimension. 
     Last fall's spate of terrorist attacks in several European 
     capitals led Germany to ban the organization.
       We also share your concerns about human rights violations 
     committed by Turkish forces in the southeast. There are 
     reports of significant human rights violations, including 
     extrajudicial killings and torture, committed by the Turkish 
     military in its counterterrorism campaign.
       Our Post-Cold War policy toward Turkey is evolving away 
     from an emphasis on security toward a broader bilateral 
     partnership to more fully develop our economic ties. Our 
     concern for Ankara's security nevertheless remains an 
     integral part of U.S. policy, given Turkey's strategic 
     importance. Within that context, the U.S. supports Turkey in 
     its fight against terrorism. At the same time, we continue to 
     urge Turkey's leaders to seek political and social solutions 
     to the problem of their Kurdish citizens in the southeast, 
     and to prevent violations of human rights in its military 
     campaigns. The President addressed these issues during Prime 
     Minister Ciller's visit to Washington in October. Assistant 
     Secretary Oxman reiterated our message to Mrs. Ciller as well 
     as Turkish military leaders during the visit last month to 
     Ankara.
       The November 13 Voice of America editorial to which you 
     refer in your letter was prepared by USIA and was approved by 
     the Department's Office of Southern European Affairs. The 
     editorial's condemnation of terrorism by the PKK and the non-
     Kurdish Dev Sol organization accurately reflects U.S. policy 
     as does its reference to Prime Minister Ciller's recognition 
     that ``lasting solutions to the problems of southeastern 
     Turkey will be found in economic and political initiatives, 
     not simply through security measures.'' It is important to 
     note that this editorial's focus on terrorism was prompted in 
     part by the PKK's terrorist campaign in Western Europe in 
     early November.
       I agree with your views on the need for balance in both our 
     policy and public statements. The November 13 editorial could 
     have addressed our concerns about human rights. Overall, we 
     believe that VOA's reporting is balanced. For example, a VOA 
     editorial of June 18, 1993 (copy attached) addressed the need 
     for political solutions in more detail.
       Regarding your concern about future U.S. military 
     assistance to Turkey, the principal goal of our transfers of 
     excess defense articles is to strengthen the defense of a 
     NATO ally. We assess each request for the transfer of defense 
     material in light of our broader security interests in the 
     region, and we monitor the use of EDA equipment through 
     reports from our military and diplomatic representatives in 
     Turkey, as well as from the press and non-governmental 
     organizations. We will continue to consult with Congress 
     before undertaking sensitive transfers.
       I appreciate having your views about Turkey's need to adopt 
     a more flexible approach to the problems in the southeast and 
     to correct human rights abuses. Please be assured that we 
     will continue to urge the Turks publicly and privately to 
     balance the need to fight terrorism with the equally 
     important goals of seeking a political solution and 
     protecting human rights.
       With best regards,
           Sincerely,
                                                    Peter Tarnoff,
                                                 Acting Secretary.
                                  ____

     Date--June 18, 1993,
     Type--Editorial,
     Number--0-05443,
     Title--U.S.-Turkey Partnership,

   Content--This is the Second of Two Editorials Being Released For 
                        Broadcast June 18, 1993.

       Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the U.S. 
     Government.
       Voice: Secretary of State Warren Christopher recently 
     visited Turkey, a long-time friend and ally of the United 
     States. With more than fifty million people. Turkey is a 
     strategically located military and economic power. And with a 
     democratic, secular government, this predominantly Muslim 
     country is also a bridge between Europe and the Middle East.
       In his meetings with President Suyleman Demirel and other 
     Turkish officials, Secretary of State Christopher discussed 
     the strengthening of political, military and economic ties 
     between the U.S. and Turkey. He announced that the U.S. will 
     transfer fifty-nine million dollars' worth of surplus 
     military equipment to Turkey. It was also announced that 
     Turkey will purchase two hundred seventy-seven million 
     dollars' worth of helicopters and aircraft parts and supplies 
     from the U.S.
       In addition to discussing diplomatic ties, Secretary of 
     State Christopher stressed the need for continued improvement 
     in Turkish human rights practices, particularly in regard to 
     Turkey's large Kurdish minority. The U.S. has often pointed 
     out to the Turkish government that the rights of the Kurds, 
     like those of all citizens, must be fully respected. The U.S. 
     has been encouraged by recent steps by the Turkish government 
     toward more respect for the human and cultural rights of the 
     Kurds.
       Unfortunately, the situation of Turkey's Kurds has been 
     harmed by the violent actions of the Kurdish Workers Party, 
     or P-K-K, a Marxist-Leninist group established in the mid-
     1970s. The P-K-K has received aid from Iran, Syria and Iraq, 
     and has carried out terrorist attacks in Turkey, as well as 
     throughout Western Europe. Last month, the P-K-K ambushed and 
     killed a group of Turkish soldiers in Bingol province in 
     eastern Turkey. This savage action ended a two-month-old P-K-
     K cease-fire and appeared to be intended as a provocation to 
     stop the process of political accommodation that the Turkish 
     government had been considering. Despite the renewed P-K-K 
     terrorism, the Turkish government has decided to move forward 
     with an offer of limited amnesty for some P-K-K members. The 
     U.S. welcomes this move. The long-term solution to the 
     problems in southeastern Turkey must be found through 
     political, not military, means.
       As Secretary of State Christopher noted, Turkey is ``a 
     strong regional power, which can be a positive force in the 
     peaceful settlement of regional disputes.'' Turkey played a 
     major role in the international effort to reverse Iraq's 
     invasion of Kuwait. In addition, Turkey supports the 
     international community's efforts to bring humanitarian 
     relief to the people of northern Iraq, who are blockaded by 
     the Baghdad government. More recently, Turkey has worked with 
     the U.S. and Russia to try to end the conflict between 
     Armenia and Azerbaijan. For these and other reasons, as 
     Secretary of State Christopher said, the U.S. looks forward 
     to an ``expanded partnership'' with Turkey.
       Anncr:
       That was an editorial reflecting the views of the U.S. 
     Government.
                                  ____

     Date: November 13, 1993
     Type: Editorial
     Title: Terrorism Against Turkey and the West
     Content: This is the Only Editorial Being Released for 
         Broadcast November 13, 1993
       Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the U.S. 
     Government.
       Voice: Of the democratic nations threatened by 
     international terrorism few have been hit harder than Turkey. 
     Terrorists recently attacked Turkish citizens and interests 
     across Western Europe. The attacks killed one person and 
     wounded twenty-three in cities in Germany, Switzerland, 
     Britain and Denmark. In June, a similar campaign of murder 
     and bombing was launched against Turkish citizens in six 
     European nations.
       One of the groups that has waged a war of terrorism against 
     Turkey in recent years is the Kurdistan Workers Party, or P-
     K-K, which poses a growing threat to U.S. interests in 
     Turkey. This terrorist group is composed primarily of Turkish 
     Kurds seeking to establish a Marxist state in southeastern 
     Turkey. Established in the mid-1970s, the P-K-K has carried 
     out numerous attacks inside Turkey and has escalated its 
     attacks on Turkish interests in Western Europe and against 
     rival Kurdish groups. The P-K-K has received aid and 
     safehaven from Syria, Iran, and Iraq, and has used training 
     camps in Lebanon's Syrian-controlled Bekaa Valley.
       Competing with the P-K-K in terrorist murder and 
     destruction is Devrimci Sol, or Dev Sol. Formed in 1978 as a 
     splinter faction of the Turkish People's Liberation Front, 
     Dev Sol espouses a Marxist ideology, is intensely xenophobic 
     and is virulently anti-American and anti-NATO. Financed 
     chiefly by robbery and extortion, Dev Sol terrorists have 
     attacked Turkish officials, foreign businessmen and NATO 
     military officers and bombed dozens of Western diplomatic, 
     commercial, and cultural facilities. The group claimed 
     responsibility for killing two American contractors and 
     attempted to kill a U.S. air force officer in 1991. Dev 
     Sol was responsible for two rocket attacks against the 
     U.S. consulate in Istanbul in 1992.
       Like the P-K-K, Dev Sol has failed in its effort to 
     intimidate the government of Turkey through a campaign of 
     arson, kidnapping, and murder. To its credit, Turkey has 
     refused to negotiate with terrorists or concede to the 
     demands. Prime Minister Tansu Ciller recently reaffirmed her 
     government's determination to eradicate the ``terrorist 
     plague'' that has afflicted the people of Turkey. At the same 
     time, Prime Minister Ciller has made it clear that lasting 
     solutions to the problems of southeastern Turkey will be 
     found in economic and political initiatives, not simply 
     through security measurers.
       The U.S. condemns the most recent acts of terrorism 
     directed against Turkey. The U.S. has an ongoing anti-
     terrorist training assistance program with Turkey, one of the 
     largest such programs offered by the U.S. Respect for 
     Turkey's territorial integrity and its right to self-defense 
     against terrorist violence is longstanding U.S. policy. The 
     U.S. calls on all nations to join Turkey in its fight against 
     a common enemy--international terrorism.
       Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the 
     U.S. Government.
                                  ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, December 7, 1993.
     Hon. Warren M. Christopher,
     Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chris: I write regarding the situation in the 
     predominantly Kurdish-area in southeast Turkey and U.S. 
     policy toward Turkey on this issue.
       By many accounts, the political and economic situation in 
     southeast Turkey today is deteriorating. It is my impression 
     that the Turkish government's response to this situation has 
     been to focus primarily on a military solution to the 
     problem. Efforts to eliminate the PKK organization through 
     use of force over the last decade--and, more aggressively 
     since December 1992--appear to have produced few positive 
     results. The PKK maintains significant grassroots support 
     within southeast Turkey and, by some accounts, this support 
     is growing due, in part, to the methods employed by the 
     Turkish gendarme and military against the civilian 
     population.
       I have serious concerns about U.S. policy toward Turkey on 
     this issue. Specifically, I draw your attention to two 
     issues: (1) a statement of U.S. policy presented in a Voice 
     of America editorial on PKK terrorism broadcast on November 
     13, 1993; and (2) the provision of U.S. military equipment to 
     Turkey for use in the military campaign in the southeast.
       First, the VOA editorial addresses only one aspect of the 
     Kurdish problem in Turkey--that of PKK terrorism. By 
     presenting the issue in this way, it leaves the impression 
     that the United States government views the problem in 
     southeast Turkey as predominately, if not exclusively, one of 
     terrorism. By endorsing eradication of the `terrorist plague' 
     and crediting Turkey's unwillingness to ``concede to 
     terrorist demands'', the United States is seen as endorsing 
     the tactics of the Turkish military to address the problems 
     of southeast Turkey.
       I would like to raise a number of questions about this VOA 
     editorial and its implications for U.S. policy:
       Who approved the text of the VOA editorial?
       Does the language of the editorial represent U.S. policy on 
     this issue?
       Why was there no attempt in the editorial to balance 
     Turkish concerns regarding terrorism with often-stated U.S. 
     concerns regarding human rights in this area?
       Why does the editorial fail to address more directly the 
     central importance of opening political and economic 
     opportunities and options for the Kurdish population in 
     Turkey?
       How has the message of this editorial been interpreted in 
     Ankara?
       Second, the United States continues to provide military 
     hardware to Turkey for use in its military campaign in the 
     southeast. I understand that there is consideration being 
     given to providing additional U.S. military assistance for 
     this purpose. I believe we should approach with great caution 
     the question of further involving the United States in the 
     conflict in southeast Turkey under present circumstances.
       I understand the desire to be helpful to Turkey, a NATO 
     ally and friend, on this difficult issue. I condemn the 
     terrorist tactics employed by the PKK and I have no doubt 
     that the PKK represents a serious security problem for the 
     Government of Turkey. Nevertheless, I believe we must be 
     careful, both in our statements and in our actions, not to be 
     drawn into a Turkish Government military campaign that may 
     not fully be consistent with broader U.S. interests in the 
     region.
       I appreciate your consideration of this matter. I look 
     forward to a future dialogue with you on this matter.
       With best regards,
           Sincerely yours,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
     Chairman.

                          ____________________