News From 'Kurdistan Rundbrief 19/9

[kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu]

From: Arm The Spirit <ats at etext.org>
Subject: News From 'Kurdistan Rundbrief 19/95'

News Translated From 'Kurdistan Rundbrief 19/95'

----
More ARGK Attacks In South Kurdistan

	The attacks by the People's Liberation Army of Kurdistan (ARGK) 
against the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Iraqi Kurdistan between 
the Turkish border and the 36th parallel continue to expand.
	According to reports from the ARGK, all eastern stations in the 
city of Sersting in Iraqi Kurdistan have been captured by the ARGK. 
Guerrillas forced their way into the city and destroyed the party 
headquarters of the KDP. Six houses were destroyed in the fighting. 9 KDP 
peshmergas and 1 ARGK guerrilla were killed, and 4 other guerrillas were 
wounded. The guerrillas also captured a large amount of ammunition from 
the peshmergas.

Hizava Under ARGK Control

	ARGK guerrillas attacked a military station and a control center 
of the KDP in the village of Hizava yesterday. The village of Hizava lies 
between the cities of Derkar and Batuva in Iraqi Kurdistan. According to 
reports, peshmergas fled to the city center after the fighting. During 
fighting in the city center with the peshmergas, guerrillas took control 
of the village and set a KDP military station on fire and destroyed it. 
According to their own reports, the guerrillas also captured 8 
peshmergas, including one who was wounded, and they confiscated all their 
weapons.

ARGK Road Block Near Zaxo

	ARGK guerrillas set up a road block on the road between Zaxo and 
the city of Batufa. The guerrillas detained several persons, including 
those with KDP passports.

Bamerli Under ARGK Control

	Guerrillas from the ARGK increased their attacks on KDP stations 
in the city of Bamerli yesterday, after they overran the KDP's hilltop 
defenses outside the city. Fighting then broke out between peshmergas and 
guerrillas. During the battle, which lasted all day, the KDP called in 
reinforcements from the city of Amediye. ARGK guerrillas then destroyed a 
KDP military vehicle. According to recent reports, the KDP reinforcements 
have retreated and the city has been taken over by the ARGK. One KDP 
military station and several control stations were destroyed. Reports 
also indicate that guerrillas protected a United Nations (UN) building 
during the fighting in the city. According to reports from our 
correspondents, the local population, which initially supported the KDP 
in their attacks against the ARGK, are no longer participating in the 
fighting. The guerrillas who took control of the city have begun 
organizing propaganda sessions for the local population.
	During a separate attack by ARGK guerrillas on a hilltop KDP 
position in the city of Miroz in Iraqi Kurdistan, 4 peshmergas were 
killed and 1 guerrilla wounded.

Mesut Barzani At Sela Bize

	According to reports from our correspondents, Mesut Barzani, the 
leader of the KDP, recently went to the city of Sela Bize in Iraqi 
Kurdistan. Barzani has begun threatening the local population, reports 
indicate. Many people from the city have been arrested.

(DEM News Agency, September 10, 1995)

----
7,000 Protest The Murder Of Seyfettin Kalan In Neumunster

	On September 9, 7,000 people protested in Neumunster against the 
murder of Kurdish activist Seyfettin Kalan by Turkish fascists six days 
earlier. Seyfettin was killed on September 3 by members of the "Grey 
Wolves"; two other Kurds were wounded.
	The very fact that funeral processions are the only allowable 
form of political expression for the Kurdish exile community shows the 
reality of the situation which Kurds in Germany have faced since 
Kanther's bans went into effect. The murder of Seyfettin Kalan is the 
climax of an increasing wave of provocations and attacks on Kurdish 
establishments by Turkish fascists, the "Grey Wolves" (MHP), or by other 
pro-government forces, sometimes with the direct support of the Turkish 
consulate. The persecution of Kurdish associations by the German 
authorities only gives heart to these forces to increase their 
provocations and attacks. For example, Turkish fascists had already 
attacked Kurds in Neumunster on the Saturday before this murder. And a 
few days before, police had to protect a Kurdish establishment in 
Rendsburg from an attack by Grey Wolves.
	Even after the murder in Neumunster, the German authorities 
refused to pursue those responsible, namely the structures of the Grey 
Wolves in Germany, rather they continued to persecute the Kurds.  The CDU 
in Schleswig-Holstein [the state where Neumunster is] and CDU member of 
parliament Olderog criticized the "restraint" which police seem to show 
by not preventing banned symbols from being displayed (meaning Kurdish 
ERNK flags). Even the head of the police union, Lutz, complained to SPD 
state interior minister Wienholtz that he knew the funeral procession was 
being "directed" by the banned PKK and he advised Wienholtz to do 
something about this.
	We can only conclude from this that the German authorities, in 
confrontations between Turkish fascists and Kurds, don't persecute the 
fascist murderers but rather the Kurdish victims!

----
Seyfettin Kalan Is Immortal!

	On Sunday, September 3, 1995, Kurdish activist Seyfettin Kalan 
was murdered in Neumunster. This attack marks a new high point in the 
terror against Kurds in Germany at the hands of the fascist Turkish "Grey 
Wolves". In the past few days, there have been repeated confrontations in 
several German cities. On Saturday in Neumunster, Kurds were chased 
through the streets and beaten. In Ulm, Bielefeld, and Muhlheim, arson 
attacks have been carried out against Kurdish establishments.
	On Sunday evening, about 15 Turkish youths assembled near the 
'Kochloffel' restaurant in Neumunster. They immediately attacked two 
Kurds standing outside, at which point one of the Turks pointed at 
Seyfettin Kalan and called out his name before firing at him several 
times. Of the four other Kurds who came out of the restaurant to help, 
two were shot and wounded. According to eye witnesses, at least three of 
the attacking fascists were armed with pistols.
	The "Grey Wolves" [known as 'Bozkurt' in Turkish - ATS] are 
members of the Turkish MHP (National Movement Party), which has as its 
goal the destruction of all "enemies of Turkey", meaning the Kurds. They 
are supported in this by the Turkish secret police, as well as by 
Turkey's embassies and consulates. By means of front organizations such 
as sports clubs, mosques, and associations, Turkish youths are trained 
and armed. Their conduct is similar to that of Turkish contra-guerrillas 
back home, who are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people. The 
General Staff in Turkey has stated on several occasions that he plans to 
declare war on "separatist Kurds" in Europe as well. (...)
	The anti-Kurdish stance of the German government has become clear 
once again through the conduct of the police following the murder of 
Seyfettin Kalan. The "investigations" thus far have been based solely on 
the statements of Turkish fascists. Interior minister Kanther has stated 
that "the fight against the PKK is also the responsibility of Turkish 
citizens", which amounts to legitimation and encouragement for the 
supporters of the "Grey Wolves".
	In order to express our sadness at the death of Seyfettin Kalan, 
and to protest against the anti-Kurdish sentiments in Germany, we will 
hold a funeral procession in Neumunster on Saturday, September 9, 1995, 
which will begin at the Friedrich-Ebert Hospital where the wounded Kurds 
are being treated.
	We call on the democratic public to take part in this march and 
to demonstrate with us as we call for a political solution in Kurdistan.

(from a leaflet by the demonstration preparatory committee)

----
The Turkish Embassy And The Grey Wolves

	(...) Fellemez Basboga, a member of the Kurdistan Parliament in 
Exile, discussed in his speech [during the funeral procession] the role 
of Turkish diplomatic missions in Germany in the organizing efforts of 
the MHP. The newly appointed ambassador in Bonn, Volkan Vural, was a 
long-time member of the Turkish National Security Council (MGK), a 
military/secret police organization which has de facto over the parliament.
	His stationing in Germany "coincides with the decisions of the 
council to expand the activities of death squads and the secret police in 
combatting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) abroad". In addition to 
this, the MHP, besides having members in the death squads and the 
"special forces" of the Turkish army, also operates several front 
organizations. It recruits its members via Turkish sports clubs and mosques.
	It is important to understand, said Basboga, that "banning or 
increasing the controls over such organizations" would do much more for 
the cause of domestic security in Germany than "the sweeping 
criminalization of Kurdish politics".
	Anyone who doubts the willingness of the Kurdish people to seek a 
political solution should turn their attention to the Parliament in 
Exile, which is prepared for negotiations at any time.
	A Turkish spokesperson for the demonstration, Ibrahim K., told 
the DEM News Agency about the activities of the National Movement Party 
(MHP) in Germany during the 1970s and 80s.
	Alparslan Turkes, the leader of the far-right party, not only 
maintained close contacts with the German right-wing extremist German 
Nationalist Party (NPD), rather he was also "best friend" of then-leader 
of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), Franz-Joseph Strauss. Close 
ties with the CSU were maintained through Turkish industrialist Murat 
Bayrak. Not only have several MHP members and members of associated 
groups been apprehended at Dusseldorf Airport with large quantities of 
drugs, but even Ali Agca, the MHP member who tried to assassinate the 
Pope, was transported to Italy via Germany.
	Violent actions by the so-called Grey Wolves have generally been 
aimed at Turkish and Kurdish opposition groups. There have been several 
attacks, including one murder, against foreign trade unionists in Germany.

(DEM News Agency, September 9, 1995)

----
The German Authorities And The MHP

On July 24, questions were raised in the German parliament by Ulla 
Jelpke, MP from the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), concerning the 
activities of the Turkish fascist National Movement Party (MHP), 
otherwise known as the Grey Wolves, in Germany. Interior minister Manfred 
Kanther gave his responses on behalf of the German government.
-
Do the Grey Wolves deal in narcotics?

	Yes, the government has proof of involvement by leading members 
of the Grey Wolves federation ADUTDF in drugs and weapons trafficking. In 
addition to this, groups of Turkish citizens across Europe under the name 
"Grey Wolves" have imported 100kg of heroin from Turkey. But we don't 
know any more than this.

Extortion?

	Yes, there have been investigations regarding this. But we don't 
know anything more.

The attempted assassination of the Pope?

	Yes, the Italian authorities have uncovered the involvement of 
ADUTDF functionaries in this, people with ties to weapons and drugs 
smuggling.
-

The government gave truly rude responses to some questions. When asked 
about Grey Wolves activities, the government said they knew nothing of 
support from authorities on the Foreigner Council in Essen for a large 
event organized by the MHP there. [On November 26, 1994, more than 10,000 
MHP supporters rallied in a sports complex in Sindelfingen. - ATS] But 
Kanther stated that "the federal government does know that the Kurdistan 
Workers Party (PKK) attempts to use the Foreigner Councils for its own 
ends". And when asked why police do not intervene against the display of 
fascist MHP symbols, Kanther replied: "It is not a crime to display the 
symbols of banned organizations in Germany." When asked about the 
significance of the Grey Wolves, Kanther replied that the "ADUTDF does 
not pose a significant security threat at this time".

----
ARGK Balance Of The Conflict With The KDP;
74 KDP Positions Captured By The ARGK

	The People's Liberation Army of Kurdistan (ARGK), the military 
wing of the PKK, has issued a balance from the first 15 days of actions 
by the 1st Storm Brigade of the ARGK against positions of the Kurdistan 
Democratic Party (KDP) in Iraqi Kurdistan. During this time period, a 
total of 182 guerrilla attacks were carried out and 35 military posts and 
39 hilltop positions of the KDP were captured by ARGK guerrillas. A large 
section of Iraqi Kurdistan is now under PKK control.
	According to the ARGK, 291 people have been killed, including 270 
KDP peshmergas and 21 PKK guerrillas. At least an equal number have been 
wounded in the fighting. The ARGK have also arrested 93 collaborators and 
agents, including 3 of high rank and 1 member of the secret police.
	The ARGK has also indicated that the KDP are extending their 
attacks against Kurdish refugees. Local witnesses have also reported KDP 
attacks on some of the 16,000 refugees from Turkish Kurdistan who are 
living in camps near Etrus. During one such attack, the KDP allegedly 
fired mortar rounds at the camp. There have also been scuffles with the 
camp's self-defence units.
	In its press release, the ARGK criticized the silence of the 
United Nations with respect to KDP attacks on civilians.

(DEM News Agency, September 10, 1995)

----
Demonstration Against Bomb Attack On The Head Of The Federative System In 
South Kurdistan

	Today in Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan), 8,000 people demonstrated 
against a bomb attack on Kosret Resul, head of the Federated System in 
south Kurdistan.
	During the "Rally Against Terrorism", members of the Patriotic 
Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and other Kurdish organizations took part.
	The rally, which took place outside the governor's building, 
ended with a demonstration through the city center. Kosret Resul stated 
in his speech to the rally that the attack was an act of "terrorism". But 
he said he would not succumb to terrorism. Members of other Kurdish 
organizations also expressed sentiments of protest against the attack.
	During the September 7 bombing, 3 PUK peshmergas and 1 child were 
killed. Experts have stated that as much as 50kg of explosives were used 
in the attack.
	The PUK has blamed the Turkish government and the KDP for the attack.

(DEM News Agency, September 9, 1995)

----
Turkish Army Units Cause Forest Fires

	Units of the Turkish army bombarding the city of Mutki in Turkish 
Kurdistan have set off a series of forest fires. 1 ARGK guerrilla has 
died in the fires.

(DEM News Agency, September 9, 1995)

----
Protest Against Food Blockade

	Residents of the villages around the city of Yayladere in Bingol 
province in Turkish Kurdistan marched through the city center. This was 
to protest the Turkish authorities' blockade which has prevented 
foodstuffs from reaching the residents for a long time now.

(DEM News Agency, September 10, 1995)

----
Authorities Refuse To Bury Dead Guerrillas

	The families of 13 deceased guerrillas belonging to the Workers 
and Peasants Liberation Army of Turkey (TIKKO) held a press conference in 
the offices of the Human Rights Association (IHD) in Istanbul to complain 
that the Turkish authorities have refused to bury the bodies of their 
children, which are still lying exposed in a field.
	The bodies have since become unidentifiable, but the parents 
claim to have recognized their children. The 13 TIKKO guerrillas were 
killed on August 11 in Dersim province (Tunceli in Turkish) during a 
battle with Turkish security forces.
(DEM News Agency, September 12, 1995)

----
Helicopter Shot Down; Oil Pipeline Sabotaged

	Guerrillas belonging to the People's Liberation Army of Kurdistan 
(ARGK) carried out an attack near the city of Akra in Iraqi Kurdistan. 
The party headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) was fired 
on with rockets. 3 peshmergas died in the rocket attack, and 1 more died 
in the fighting afterwards. It is not yet known how many guerrilla 
casualties there were.
	Guerrillas controlling the main road to Duhok fired on and 
destroyed a KDP military vehicle. In the ensuing battle between KDP 
peshmergas and the guerrillas, 5 peshmergas were killed.
	A military helicopter which sought to land on a former palace 
belonging to Iraqi president Saddam Hussein near Duhok was damaged by 
ARGK fire. The helicopter, which was believed to be carrying Turkish and 
KDP officers, was then forced to make an emergency landing.

(DEM News Agency, September 13, 1995)

----
Village In Van Forcibly Evacuated

	Military forces have forcibly evacuated the village of Kers 
(Koklu in Turkish) near Gevas in the province of Van. The military had 
previously threatened to evacuate the villagers if they refused to become 
state-paid village guards. The evacuation orders were given to the 100 or 
so families in the village following a guerrilla rocket attack which 
destroyed 2 army panzers.

(DEM News Agency, September 13, 1995)

+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++==
Arm The Spirit
P.O. Box 6326, Stn. A
Toronto, Ontario
M5W 1P7 Canada

E-mail: ats at etext.org
WWW: http://burn.ucsd.edu/~ats
FTP: ftp.etext.org --> /pub/Politics/Arm.The.Spirit
+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++==