[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TURKISH DEMOCRACY IMPERILED

  Mr. DeCONCINI. Mr. President, I rise today to voice concern over 
Turkey's political future. Because Turkey is an important friend and 
ally in an unstable region, this Congress and administration should be 
deeply troubled by increasing violence in southeast Turkey. This 
predominantly Kurdish region has become a virtual war-zone where basic 
human rights have been suspended and fear and death mount. Since 1991, 
more than 5,000 have died in an increasingly brutal battle between 
Kurdish guerrillas, Moslem fundamentalists and Turkish security forces. 
The vicious cycle threatens to expand, tearing at the fabric of Turkish 
democracy and straining delicate regional relations. And while I have 
no doubt that Turkey's democratic institutions are currently stronger 
than ever, rumors of a coup have already surfaced in the Turkish press, 
stirring unpleasant memories of three such previous setbacks to 
democracy since 1960.
  Since modern Turkey's establishment in 1923, Kurds, who presently 
comprise about 11 million of Turkey's 57 million population, have faced 
varying pressure to deny their cultural distinctiveness. While Moslem, 
they maintain distinct language and cultural forms. Through expressions 
of their Kurdish identity, civil disobedience, or at the extreme, open 
rebellion, Kurds have sought to promote and preserve their culture and 
rights. Since 1987, eight provinces where Kurds reside have withered 
under a state of emergency which authorizes a regional governor and the 
military to curb political, media and cultural activity.
  In 1984, the Kurdish Workers Party [PKK] initiated a violent campaign 
in support of Kurdish autonomy. Funded in part by groups in Europe, the 
PKK operates from Syria, Iraq, Iran, and hideouts in Turkey and is 
considered a terrorist organization by the United States and most other 
governments. Recently, the group has targeted Turkey's tourist 
industry. Civilians in areas where the PKK operates often face a 
terrible choice between aiding the guerrillas and risking violent 
reprisal by Turkish security forces--or not helping and facing equally 
harsh PKK retribution. On the one hand, locals suspected of 
collaborating with Turkish authorities are executed by the PKK. On the 
other, security forces arbitrarily round up villagers and subject them 
to beatings, mass arrests, and intimidation. A particularly disturbing 
tactic, which has caused substantial hardship and displacement, has 
been the forced evacuation of hundreds of villages and the destruction 
of entire towns in response to alleged terrorist incidents.
  While Turkey, and indeed all states, is entitled to protect their 
citizens from terrorism and to preserve the integrity of its borders, 
Turkey has also obligated itself to uphold basic human rights 
principles. Unfortunately, as the PKK steps up its attacks, civilians 
are also increasingly threatened by reactions of security forces, and 
indeed, legitimate rights of Turkey's Kurdish citizens are being denied 
under the mantle of combating terrorism. The violence is polarizing 
Turks and Kurds, creating an unprecedented level of fear and mistrust. 
Kurds, resentful of security abuses, become more supportive of Kurdish 
nationalism and the PKK. Turks, angered by the costs and brutality of 
terrorism, are increasingly intolerant of the legitimate rights of 
Kurdish citizens.

  The Turkish Government's military efforts to address the Kurdish 
situation have only escalated tensions. Massive discontent has resulted 
in an increasing and unacceptable toll of innocent lives. The one-
dimensional military approach stifles even moderate Kurdish political 
voices, enabling the PKK to gather support among a population weary of 
constant harassment and with no power or representation to put forward 
legitimate cultural and political aspirations.
  The violent prelude to upcoming local elections has highlighted 
threats to the democratic process and underlined the inability of Kurds 
to gain political representation or exercise other basic rights. In the 
past 2 years, shadowy death squads have killed 70 members of the pro-
Kurdish Democratic Party [DEP], which holds 18 of 450 seats in the 
Turkish Parliament, including a Member of Parliament. Twenty party 
offices have been bombed. Over 300 DEP election candidates have been 
arrested and changes in electoral laws--reportedly made on security 
grounds--have made it extremely difficult for voters in Kurdish regions 
to cast their ballots. On February 23, DEP members decided to boycott 
the March 27 elections. International human rights organizations and 
the European Parliament have announced intentions to send election 
observes to Turkey.
  Mr. President, just yesterday the Turkish Parliament lifted the 
immunity of four DEP parliamentarians in order to prosecute them for 
the contents of speeches or writings. Two were detained outside 
parliament on charges which could bring the death penalty. Prosecutors 
want to charge a total of eight Kurdish parliamentarians. Such policies 
are contrary to basic principles of free speech and an affront to the 
rights of Kurds throughout Turkey. While Turkey remains a NATO ally and 
major recipient of U.S. military and economic assistance, this Congress 
and administration should not be deterred from voicing serious concerns 
over the deteriorating human rights situation and the Turkish 
Government's inability or unwillingness to constructively address 
abuses.
  Mr. President, while there are no easy solutions to the complex 
Kurdish issue, fortunately some voices of moderation are heard among 
civilian policy makers who call for redressing Kurdish grievances and 
meeting Turkey's commitments to a society based on rule of law. Such 
voices have called for continued economic investment in the southeast; 
rescinding the state of emergency; abolishing the restrictive 
antiterror law and village guard system; reaffirming Kurdish cultural 
rights; and removing restrictions on Kurdish broadcasting, publishing 
and other forms of free speech. Major causes of frustration and 
discontent, which have swelled the ranks of the PKK, could be 
significantly alleviated by permitting Kurdish political and cultural 
expression, restoring civil and economic institutions and withdrawing 
soldiers from city streets and village. Such actions, in my view, could 
help establish the foundation of a more peaceful, prosperous, and 
stable Turkish democracy for all its citizens.
  Last October, as Turkey's Prime Minister Ciller visited Washington, I 
joined the cochairman of the Helsinki Commission, Steny Hoyer, and a 
number of congressional colleagues on a letter suggesting that the 
Government of Turkey pursue political, as opposed to military, 
solutions to the Kurdish situation. Six months later, I am disappointed 
not to have received a reply to our views. Cochairman Hoyer discussed 
and passed the letter to a senior Turkish official who indicated a 
response would be forwarded. I would like to insert a text of that 
letter into the Record following my remarks, and reiterate my hope that 
a response will soon be forthcoming.

  Meanwhile, as the violence escalates, I again urge the Turkish 
Government to use more carrot and less stick to address underlying 
roots of Kurdish discontent. The heavy-handed security presence has 
disrupted normal life and crippled economic viability in the southeast. 
The military approach drains Turkish coffers, strains relations with 
neighboring countries, and draws criticism from human rights observers 
worldwide. Members of the 53 State Conference on Security and 
Cooperation in Europe have been asked to consider sending official 
human rights monitor missions to Turkey, and given the present level of 
hostilities in the southeast, I believe such CSCE missions are 
warranted.
  Mr. President, we in the United States often look with pride upon our 
heritage as a ``melting pot'' of ethnicity and culture. We should 
appreciate that Turkey has been a ``melting pot'' far longer. Tolerance 
and understanding, ingredients crucial to keeping such societies from 
boiling over, are in great need today in Turkey. Violence will 
certainly beget more violence and further imperil Turkish democracy. 
Support for the PKK will grow until the Government pursues political 
solutions and acts to protect the rights of all Turkey's citizens.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                 October 14, 1993.
       Dear Madame Prime Minister: We respectfully offer our 
     congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister. We 
     hope your term will be marked by peace and prosperity, and 
     look forward to working with your government to strengthen 
     the bonds of friendship which exist between our two 
     governments and peoples.
       As a NATO ally, trusted friend of the United States and 
     signatory to the Helsinki Final Act, Turkey occupies a unique 
     position between East and West. We appreciate that while 
     developing its resources and society. Turkey has also proved 
     committed to strengthening its democratic institutions and 
     protecting and promoting human rights.
       We understand that Turkey faces a difficult security 
     situation, and has a legitimate need to counter the terrorist 
     actions of the Kurdish Workers Party [PKK]. At the same time, 
     we are deeply troubled by the apparent escalation of 
     restrictive measures and government-sanctioned violence 
     against Kurdish civilians in southeast Turkey.
       The recent decision by the Turkish Constitutional Court to 
     outlaw the People's Labor Party [HEP] and official attempts 
     to suppress Kurdish publications and broadcasting indicate 
     that free expression remains restricted for those who 
     peacefully support the promotion and protection of Kurdish 
     rights.
       The unsolved assassinations of Kurdish leaders, human 
     rights activists and journalists have created a climate of 
     fear and mistrust of the government among Turkey's Kurds. The 
     assassination of Mehmet Sincar, a member of Parliament, is a 
     prominent reminder of the danger facing those who promote 
     legitimate cultural and political rights for Kurds.
       Under the mantle of combatting terrorism, Turkish 
     government security forces are reported to have forcibly 
     evacuated thousands of Kurdish civilians from their homes and 
     destroyed hundreds of Kurdish villages. We believe this use 
     of military extremism encourages other kinds of extremism and 
     hinders development of moderate Kurdish political views and 
     organizations.
       The U.S. government clearly condemns acts of terrorism 
     employed by any people, organization or government, and is 
     against any action which threatens Turkey's stability and 
     sovereignty. However, we also believe it is imperative that 
     Turkey uphold the rights and freedoms of all its citizens, 
     including those of Kurdish origin. In view of the spiraling 
     levels of violence in southeast Turkey, it appears that a 
     political solution, rather than continued reliance on 
     military force, offers the best chance of reestablishing 
     security and peace throughout Turkey and the region.
       As friends and supporters of Turkey, we sincerely hope that 
     you will be successful in addressing this critical issue.
           Sincerely,

                          ____________________