[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 59 (Thursday, March 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  TURKEY MUST CEASE ITS RELENTLESS ATTACKS AGAINST THE KURDISH PEOPLE

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 1995
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my extreme dismay and 
strong concerns about the recent actions of the Turkish Government.
  The government in Turkey has once again decided that it is easier to 
address dissention around its borders with military force than to sit 
down to talk with those whose only wish is to seek freedom from 
overwhelming oppression.
  You will hear from the Turkish Government that this recent excursion 
into Kurdish-held areas in Iraq is only aimed at stopping Kurdish rebel 
groups from making raids into Turkey. We must not be fooled by what 
they say.
  It is accepted policy in that country to deny official 
acknowledgement of a group that comprises close to 20 percent of its 
total population. Because they have no special protection under Turkish 
law, Kurdish civilians have been victim to a policy of discriminate 
harassment, persecution, even killing and wounding at the hands of the 
Turkish establishment.
  The Turkish Government has been condemned time and time again by the 
United Nations, Helsinki Watch, and Amnesty International for denying 
Kurds the basic civil liberties. These include the right to freedom of 
self-determination and the right to freely express the richness of 
their cultural heritage.
  Mr. Speaker, this current situation is no different. Thousands of 
Turkish-born Kurds are now living in northern Iraq, after fleeing 
Turkey last year because of harassment from Turkish officials. Their 
lives have been shattered because of the incessant attacks on their 
heritage, culture, and indeed, their very existence.
  These civilians have been caught in the crossfire for too long. These 
civilians only seek the freedom to choose their own destinies. At the 
very least, this Government's response should be to say in no uncertain 
terms that they be allowed to pursue this very basic right.
  However, Mr. Speaker, we may be also partly to blame for the ongoing 
crisis in the mountains of Iraq.
  Not only does the Turkish Government receive vast amounts of United 
States financial aid, we and our allies also supply their government 
with large amounts of military hardware. These weapons are in turn 
being used to wipe out whole villages, to kill innocent women and 
children. We should follow the lead of the German Government and look 
to end our weapons trade with Turkey.
  I believe, Mr. Speaker, all United States aid to Turkey should be 
reviewed in light of their history with other ethnic groups in Cyprus 
and Armenia. And just as important, that government's current 
activities in the mountains of Iraq should further make us question our 
priorities in that region.
  Mr. Speaker, Turkey does have the right to protect its borders and to 
protect its citizens from terrorism. However, this very right cannot be 
used to justify continued harassment and persecution of innocent 
civilian populations.
  We have supported the right of Iraqi-born Kurds to pursue 
independence from the regime in Baghdad. Our troops are in the 
mountains of northern Iraq at this moment, protecting Kurds from the 
Iraqi military. However, Mr. Speaker, we should look to protect the 
rights of all Kurds, regardless of where they were born.
  The United States has warned the Turkish Government that we are 
watching. I will say also that the whole world should watch this 
situation very closely. This will not only hold that government 
accountable but will also force this country to reevaluate its foreign 
priorities and practices.


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