Initiative against Missile Shield

Local associations from the province of Malatya in south-eastern Anatolia established an action alliance against the planned Early Warning Radar System as part of the NATO Missile Shield.

The "Initiative against the Missile Shield in Kürecik" was introduced at the Taxim Hill Hotel in Istanbul on Thursday (22 September). The initiative is joined by the Kürecikliler Culture and Solidarity Association, the Sevidlliler Solidarity Association, the Akçadağ and Elbistan Health and Education Foundation, the Köşk Village Aid and Solidarity Association, the Kistikler Foundation and the Kahyalı Orta Köy Association.

The meeting was also attended by Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Celal Dinçer and representatives of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), the Labour Party (EMEP) and the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP).

Leyla Han Tüzel presented the press release on behalf of the initiative. She reminded that people in the region already opposed a radar base in Kürecik in the 1960s. Tüzel emphasized that the aim of the joint struggle of local people and organizations was not to protest against the shield but to prevent it from being installed.

"The government's attitude towards Israel is not sincere"

Tüzel claimed that the USA was actually planning to install missile shields in Poland and the Czech Republic. When these countries did not agree, the project was brought to Turkey, she said.

"The missile shield that is going to protect Israel shows that the government's tough stance towards Israel is intended to deceive the people".

The activist said that the shield was supposedly going to be established in order to protect "national interests" although Turkey had no enemy expected to attack the country with missiles.

"The reason is an attack of Iran on Israel. The truth is that the USA is using our people as a living shield in their war prepared against Iran and other peoples in the region", Tüzel put forward.

"Agriculture and livestock will suffer"

Tüzel pointed to a negative impact by the missile shield on the environment and human health.

"The radiation and harmful gases discharged by the radar system and the missile shield will damage the livestock as the city's main source of income and the apricots which are the symbol of Malatya".

Tüzel called on all sections in the region to react to this problem with one common voice and stressed that this was not only the problem of the people in Kürecik but a problem of Turkey as a whole.

"Also AKP voters should give their support"

Subsequent to the press release, Mustafa Yalçıner drew attention to the fact that the missile shield created distrust not only for Iran but also for Russia and China. He claimed that Turkey was being made a target and that the struggle against this situation should not be left to the people of Kürecik only.

EMEP Deputy Chair Ender İrmek recalled that the majority of the electorate in Malatya voted for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and underlined that the support of these voters was particularly important for their struggle.

The initiative is going to release a press statement on Sunday (25 September) at 2.00 pm on Taksim Square in the centre of Istanbul. Local associations plan another protest action in Kürecik on 2 October. (NV/VK)