http://www.tkp.org.tr/basin-aciklamalar ... -ayrilmali
(My translation of this statement appears below.)
One may well disagree with the Marxist analysis presented, but certain recent developments (rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia on the one hand and the Kurdish administration in northern Iraq on the other; attempts to engineer a democratic soultion to the Kurdish problem) make me feel that the Obama administration envisages an important role for Turkey in its plans for the region. I am afraid that this will have consequences for Cyprus
US Plans and Kurdish demands for freedom must be separated from one another
The Turkish Communist Party (TKP) once again feels the need to stress that a comprehensive US plan is in operation not only in Turkey, but in the wide geographical zone in which our country is included. The AKP government’s domestic and foreign policy procedures are in total conformity with this plan. The “initiative” relating to the Kurdish problem must be assessed within the same framework.
It is clear that the USA, incapable of breaking the powerful resistance in Iraq and Afghanistan, is now using Turkey to strengthen its hegemony.
Here, warmongering and “peaceful” policies have become intertwined and serve the same purpose.
Without doubt the TKP is in favour of preventing imperialist expansionism from taking up arms and costing the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of human lives. However, the imperialists resort to occupation or armed intervention, not in order to satisfy the arms monopolies, but in order to break the resistance of those who place obstacles in the way of their own plans. We as communists regard it as our duty to resist not merely the imperialists’ occupation efforts but also plans of any kind that they draw up in line with their interests, regardless of the peaceful appearance they may be cloaked in. The Kurdish initiative must primarily be evaluated in these terms. It is impossible to speak of an isolated, independent “Kurdish initiative”. The Kurdish problem is being used in order that the region may be reshaped in line with the plans of US imperialism. The AKP here plays the role of facilitator.
However, the TKP, as it has stated on countless occasions, is obliged to point out that the Kurdish problem is an American creation and that its theses are a huge lie of Turkish nationalism. The Kurds have an equality and freedom issue and a number of demands that are today on the agenda must be considered as part of the Kurdish people’s aspirations for equality and freedom and must be implemented immediately.
Anyhow, the reason why the imperialists have risen to such prominence within the Kurdish problem is due to the ignoring of the screams emanating from the Kurdish people.
The Turkish Communist Party most definitely does not share the view that the way has been opened to a solution of the Kurdish problem, which has a class basis as well as a national dimension. Our party will continue virtually on its own to issue warnings as to the nature of the plan in operation and to perform its duty to organise the workers of all nations against this plan.
We do not need to oppose the character of the plan and all the components of the plan.
The failure to arrest PKK members and sympathisers who enter Turkey, if this turns out to be anything more than a cosmetic exercise, is a positive development in itself.
As of this stage, the risk of unforeseen conflict is run with each bomb that goes off and each youth that dies. The state must halt all operations and abandon all pressure that it has been applying for months to the DTP leadership.
Moreover, demands such as mother-tongue education, the lifting of all restrictions on the Kurdish language and the purging of all chauvinistic provisions from the Constitution and law which have been voiced by a broad section of the Kurdish people must be granted without hesitation.
It is our duty to break the connection between these demands and the US plans.
War means pain, blood, tears and destruction for all the peoples of the region. For as long as US imperialism, the cause of all the wars that have recently been experienced in our region, maintains its presence in our region there will be no real peace in our part of the world.
The prime task of all peace-loving forces is to enhance and strengthen the struggle against the USA’s regional hegemony.
The Turkish Communist Party consequently summons all Turkish and Kurdish workers and all of Turkey’s patriots to an open and decisive struggle against imperialism and reaction. The Kurds’ demand for equality and freedom can only attain its true value within such a struggle.
We must redouble resistance to the “Turkish transformation” project that is being stage-managed by the AKP; we cannot let our guard slip due to developments within the “Kurdish initiative” but we will rather fight with renewed vigour against imperialism, reaction and market policies.
Yes, excitement is felt that today an ear is being lent to the Kurdish poor who for years have been crushed, excluded, slaughtered and exiled and that some of their demands may be met. This excitement must not be abated by the rise of Turkish nationalism and must be drawn onto a class axis in order not to facilitate the USA’s task. We will not permit American plans to draw succour from the aspiration for freedom and peace in this country.
