ON THE ARREST AND ABDUCTION OF PKK LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN
The unlawful seizure of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan in Nairobi by elite troops of the Turkish military, and his abduction to Turkey is a despicable act. The collaboration of the Kenyan authorities, and the suspected collusion of other foreign governments, particularly the U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies, in this outrage is especially deplorable. It shows once again that certain imperialist powers reserve for themselves the "right" to flout internationally-established norms of conduct when it serves their political interests.
We find it absolutely hypocritical and unacceptable that certain NATO governments, including Canada, are prepared to use military force to impose solutions to domestic national conflicts, such is in the Kosovo situation, but stand back in virtual silence on the Turkish/Kurdish question.
There now exists a great danger that the anti-democratic regime in Ankara will move quickly and secretly to try, convict, and execute Ocalan for his supposed "terrorist crimes" against the state. The Turkish authorities foolishly believe that by moving swiftly to eliminate the PKK leader, they can avoid international condemnation and deal a "death blow" to the Kurdish resistance movement. They are hopelessly mistaken on both counts.
The Kurdish "problem" will never be resolved until the Turkish state recognizes and guarantees the national right to self-determination of the Kurdish people, and is prepared to cede either national autonomy or the right of separation to the Kurdish nation, as the Kurdish people themselves so decide.
The Communist Party of Canada condemns the intention of the Turkish government to proceed with the trial of Mr. Ocalan, and instead calls for his immediate release and safe passage out of the country. If the Turkish regime does proceed with his prosecution, we demand that the Government of
Turkey guarantee Ocalan's safety and security while in detention. It must ensure the absolute non-use of physical or mental torture or abuse of any kind against him, and guarantee his right to free and full access to his legal counsel during both interrogation and trial. We demand that the trial itself be public and transparent, and that independent jurists, legal experts and international observers be present at all times.
We further demand upon the Turkish authorities to cease all punitive actions against the Kurdish minority, and to open genuine negotiations with its representatives to find a just and lasting peaceful solution to this festering conflict.
We also call upon the Canadian government, and External Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy in particular, to make the strongest intervention possible to the Turkish government to ensure that the above conditions are met.
Finally, we urge all labour and democratic organizations to increase their Canadian and international solidarity efforts in support of the Kurdish people.