TKP BULLETIN No: 12 - March 20, 2003

Osman Aga Mahallesi Nushet Efendi Caddesi No: 38 Kadikoy/Istanbul

Tel: +90 216 414 65 04 Fax: +90 216 346 11 37

[email protected] www.tkp.org.tr

Communists on the streets against the war The so called resolution which will give permission to Turkish Army Forces to enter into Northern Iraq and open up the air field to US Army has been accepted by the Grand National Assembly. As a response to this occasion TKP has arranged various demonstrations in major cities of Turkey.

Treacherous attack against the CP of Turkey in Istanbul The Communist Party of Turkey, already mobilized for active demonstrations as soon as the first planes hit Iraq in the morning on 19th of March, undertook a rally at the Taksim square, the very central site of Istanbul.

Hundreds of party militants and supporters were present with mottas, flags and their slogans at 17.30. Getting a huge support from pedestrians which passed by, communists attempted to make a press statement.

The police formed a siege around the manifestants. Although the intention of the communists was to end the demonstration after the statement, the police attacked the manifestants, hitting with truncheons and using a pepper gas over the crowd.

The police also arrested some party members. Interestingly, it was observed that some of the policemen were quite unsure of the orders given and they manifested their ambiguity by not being able to hit the anti-war manifestants.

"We will throw the yankee out of our country!" Another demonstration was organized in the capital city, Ankara. The demonstrations started in the rush hours with the meeting of 400 TKP members and supporters at the very center of the city, Kizilay. The police was great in number whereas the crowd was decisive in realizing the demonstration and press declaration. It was declared that this resolution and the war itself is an illegitimate one, which is against the will and consent of the people.

Together with the applauses and slogans "Yankee go home", "USA go home, close down the bases", "We will throw the Yankee out of the country", "We will not die for the USA!", it was stated in the declaration that the bases located in Turkey should be closed down and the US soldiers should be sent back home. Moreover Turkey should not take part in this war in any way. After the rally the crowd marched in the main streets by slogans and applauses.

During the march the people around also supported the demonstrators. Consequently, TKP condemned the police attack against the demonstrations held in Istanbul and it was finalized with the slogan "We will throw the yankee out of our country!".