We would like to express our regret that the meeting of the so-called
"Kurdistan Parliament in Exile", a propaganda tool of the Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist organization was allowed in the
Italian Parliament.
It is a well-known fact that the PKK uses every terrorist method to form a state based on a Marxist-Leninist, totalitarian, anti-democratic system. PKK also abuses democratic rights and freedoms to cover its illegal activities. Shortly, the PKK is a criminal and terrorist organization.
The PKK which purports to fight for the rights of the Kurds has killed more than five thousand civilians and wounded thousands irrespective of age, sex and ethnic identity. Most of the people killed by the PKK are the Turkish citizens of Kurdish descent. Reports by international institutes and observers indicate that the PKK, in addition to terrorist activities, committed serious organized crimes including drug smuggling, illegal immigration, extortion, child kidnapping, and money laundering.
There are social and economic imbalances that cause "Kurdish question" in Turkey. Turkey tries to find economic and social solutions for this question.
Under Article 10 of the Turkish constitution, every one is equal
before the law regardless of language, race, sex, political view, philosophical belief,
religion, religious sect, and other considerations. Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin
could participate in every field of economic, political and cultural life. According to
the decision of the German Karlsruhe Administrative Court, dated 17 September 1997,
"in spite of the clashes between the PKK and security forces in southeast Turkey, it
cannot be stated that Kurds in Turkey are exposed to a danger of persecution".
In an article published in the February 1996 issue of the US publication, "Military Review", it was reported that it is free to use Kurdish in Turkey since 1991 and it is also free to publish and release audio cassettes in Kurdish.
While Turkey tries to maintain peace and stability and supports democracy and secularism in its region, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) keeps on committing crimes to undermine the regional peace and the public order of European countries.
Regarding these facts, the meeting of the PKK’s tool, "Kurdistan Parliament in Exile" is a serious development that will harm Turco-Italian friendship.
The reaction against the movements of Northern League of Italy (Padania question) and Venice Group is shared by the Turkish public opinion. It is known that there are investigations by the prosecutors of Turin, Montava and Venice against the leader of the Party of Northern Union, Umberto Bossi for his declaration of the Federal Republic of Padania. It is also known that prison terms up to 30 years were demanded for the separatist actions of the Venice Group.
Also, this approach of Italy contradicts with her commitments within NATO, her obligations under bilateral and multilateral treaties against terrorism, and historical friendly relations between Turkey and Italy.
To allow the meeting of the "Kurdistan Parliament in Exile" will cause the deterioration of relations between Turkey and Italy. By allowing this meeting, Italy has now become one of the politically responsible parties for the killing of the people by the PKK.
Such tolerance by Italy for the PKK and its "Kurdistan Parliament in Exile" will harm Turco-Italian relations not only politically but also economically, culturally, and socially. Terror is a crime against humanity and those who support terrorism are as guilty as the terrorists themselves.
We believe that our friends who believe in the principles of human rights, struggle against terrorism, and peace will not aid terrorist policies of the PKK, not use it for internal politics, and not condone those who support terrorism.
Yours sincerely,
Ms. Turkan Aksu
The President of the Turkish Mothers Association
http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/8355
turkander@geocities.com