(AINA) -- The Collaboration Between The Turkish State And The KDP Has Reached Dangerous Dimensions

A few days ago, on December 13, 1997, we informed the public that the Turkish state and the KDP were preparing to commit acts of provocation. Now, just a few days later, our warning has come true in Dohuk in South Kurdistan. At a time when the political and military strength of the PKK in South Kurdistan is increasing, the war continues between the United Forces, an alliance of Iraqi Kurdish forces, and the allies of the Turkish state, who are working together with the KDP to occupy South Kurdistan. Angered over their lack of success, Turkey and the KDP attacked the innocent Christian-Assyrian population.

Turkish army units together with the KDP attacked the Assyrian village of Mankish in the region of Dohuk. The following Assyrian-Christian villagers were killed: Nagie Micha, Arkan Hermez, Samnir Isha, Gemma Chochaba, Magit Chamoun, and Salam Yusuf. Wardich Yusuf was seriously wounded. From Dohuk, which is controlled by the KDP, came a statement blaming the PKK for the massacre.

We still remember the seven shepherds who were murdered by Turkish troops back in March 1995. Photos of their brutalized bodies were presented to the European media. Then - as ever - the Turkish state tried to blame the PKK for this crime. But later, the governor of Dohuk province admitted that the Turkish army were behind the crime.

It is no secret that the Assyrian-Celdian population support the PKK, and that this support is growing. Turkey and the KDP are seeking to break this support for the PKK and made the PKK into a "guilty" party. This new dirty provocation took place at a time when all Kurdish resistance movements - except for the KDP - have united and are seeking to form a National Congress. Our position on such massacres is very clear. The same is true for the positions of the Assyrian representatives of the Kurdistan Parliament in Exile and the Preparatory Committee for the National Congress.

National Liberation Front Of Kurdistan - ERNK
December 18, 1997