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Thousands of Turkish troops enter south Kurdistan

National Congress of Kurdistan | 25.03.2003 16:05

Turkish army increases preparations for occupation of south Kurdistan - KNK (National Congress of Kurdistan) Press statement

While the United States intensifies its war on Baghdad the Turkish army is sending thousands of its troops as reinforcements into South Kurdistan. The aggressive activities of the Turkish army are taking place in defiance of the Regional Parliament of Kurdistan and the masses of our people. However, the ambitions of the warmongers of Ankara are not lessened either by the opposition of the Kurdish nation or the dissatisfaction of the US government or the European Union and the Russian Federation.

The National Congress of Kurdistan totally condemns this policy of the Turkish government and calls upon the people of Kurdistan and all their institutions including the political parties of Kurdistan to resist this aggression with a united voice. The Turkish occupiers under pressure from Kurdish and world public opinion have resorted to a cynical subterfuge, suggesting that the troops will be used for humanitarian purposes, to control refugees. But this is only a mask for their ambitions to occupy South Kurdistan and to destroy every vestige of Kurdish achievements.

It is imperative that our people be on the alert to prevent and frustrate such designs. The incursion of the Turkish army into South Kurdistan is a blow against every Kurd and must be stopped by all democratic means including demonstrations, rallies and protest actions. More than ever before Kurdish people everywhere must unite to preserve their common national interests and values.

We appeal to the peoples of the world, the UN Security Council, the US and British governments, the European Union and all international bodies to prevent the threats and adventures of the Turkish government from being realised.

Our people must not allow its fate yet again to be sacrificed to the interests of any occupying power in Kurdistan.

22 March 2003 Translated from Kurdish

National Congress of Kurdistan