Turkey/Iraq: An Invasion Washington Loves

[ww at wwp.blythe.org]

From: NY Transfer News Collective <nyt at nyxfer.blythe.org>
Subject: Turkey/Iraq: An Invasion Washington Loves 


From: Workers World Service <ww>
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 1995 17:38:46 -0500 (EST)


Workers World 3/30/95

EDITORIAL: AN INVASION WASHINGTON LOVES

What is capitalist "international law" except noble-sounding
documents to be shredded or shrugged off when they prove
inconvenient to imperialist objectives?

We heard all about international law, territorial integrity, and
the inviolable rights of small nations when Iraq sent troops into
the oil sheikdom of Kuwait. That was the excuse Washington
wanted--and U.S. Ambassador April Glaspie helped create--
for a deadly high-tech war that killed hundreds of thousands of
Iraqis.

But now Turkey has invaded Iraq with 35,000 troops backed up by
tanks and U.S.-supplied F-15 and F-16 fighter jets. It is
occupying a 20-mile-wide swath of northern Iraq inhabited by
Kurds. Remember when Washington posed as the defender of Iraqi
Kurds?

No such sentiments now. President Bill Clinton has expressed
"understanding for Turkey's need to deal decisively" with the
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is fighting for Kurdish
self-determination.

Secretary of State Warren Christopher, always the soft-spoken
diplomat as he blinks and scurries from capital to capital, told
the press, "We have urged [Turkey] to keep the operation limited
in duration and scope, and to give full respect for human rights
and international law." 

Limited in duration? "We have not put any time limits. It will be
a final blow to the PKK," said Turkish Prime Minister Tansu
Ciller. Respect for human rights? Turkey has jailed even elected
Kurdish members of parliament and allows no expression of Kurdish
identity.

Turkey is a member of NATO. "This is not an Alliance matter," an
unnamed NATO official told the press. If it's one of their guys
doing the bombing, it's all right.

There's no justice for oppressed nations in the imperialist world
order. Workers and oppressed peoples of all nations have a common
interest in fighting for a socialist world order that ends both
national oppression and the violent and greedy rule of big
capital.

                               -30-

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