January 2010
The real force against the AKP government is on streets
Recent working class resistances in Turkey initiated a pattern change in Turkish politics, which had been shaped by the controversy between the armed forces and Justice and Development Party (AKP) or along ethnic conflicts. For the first time since 2001, the year when AKP came to power, there are significant signs of weakening in the social support base of the reactionary government. This is a critical moment for the future of Turkey and Turkish working class.
The resistance of the Turkish State Liquor and Tobacco Monopoly (TEKEL) workers is the most notable in terms of its scale, effect and well reception from the society among a series of working class resistances or incidences regarding the conditions of workers. Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), from the first day, has been a vanguard force of the resistance and contributed to the strengthening of the political meaning and legitimacy of this struggle. Thus the political context of the resistance, which is strongly anti-AKP, has been a key factor in its widespread influence.
In the same days with TEKEL workers, the fire brigades of the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul declared that they would resist against the subcontracting of firefighting services in Istanbul Fire Department. Fire brigades spent last weeks on the streets and their determination show that they would continue their protests. The Municipality furied not only the fire brigades but also people living in Istanbul and using metrobus for transportation. The Municipality increased the fares of metrobus and made another hole in the pockets of millions of people.
Furthermore, United Transportation Union organized in railways and Turkish Transportation Union called a strike for the reinstatement of their 16 friends who had their share from the ‘terror of inquiry’ started by the government after the strike on 25 November.
Besides the resistance of various sections of the working class, Turkey witnessed an ‘ordinary’ work murder in Bursa in a minefield. 19 workers died in a blast in the coal mine because of the lack of the necessary technical equipment. The owner of the mine, who is directly responsible for killing 19 workers, received support from the ministers of AKP government. The society reacted with sorrow and sadness to the death of miners.
Yet, the government did not show the tolerance it granted to the mineowner to the resisting workers. The police violently attacked TEKEL workers in Ankara, which caused serious injuries. Before that attack, police terror aimed the fire brigades and transportation workers as target.
The protests and resistances of the working class do not only indicate a relative increase in the mobility in the working class movement, but helped the country to a certain extent get out of a political bottleneck. This bottleneck can be defined as state of being stuck in a lasting conflict between the armed forces and AKP. Although this conflict has been a reflexion of a struggle between Islamization and secularization, hence very important in this sense, it locked up the politics into a tension between these two camps. More importanly, despite the importance of a secularist resistance in the country, both camps did not abandon their common stance of hostility towards the working class.
Another cause of the bottleneck is the Kurdish issue. The identity issues in general and Kurdish problem in particular keep politics in Turkey in constant state of emergency. The Turkish and Kurdish nationalism and their political representatives have contributed for their part to the rise of the tension. Furthermore AKP and Kurdish movement are in agreement in endorsing the intervention of American imperialism in Turkey’s Kurdish problem. They both seek for an imperialist intervention on their side. More importantly, the nationalist discourse of both sides and the so-called ‘democratic initiative’ of AKP government have increased the feeling of hostility among Kurds and Turks against each other. There erupted several dangerous attacks and lynch attempts on the streets.
Under these circumstances, the working class resistances have altered the general political atmosphere in the country by reviving the conflict between the working class and the bourgeois government. Besides, the workers in their rally illustrate how to create the union of Turkish and Kurdish workers. Particularly as regards TEKEL resistance, workers from both Kurdish and Turkish ethnic origin have been on the front line of the struggle. Once again, they reminded the country that the solution to the fundamental problems of the people passes through the struggle of the working class.
We are ready for 2010!
In accordance with the recent developments in Turkish politics and emergence of a potential energy in the society and among the working class against AKP government, the Political Bureau of TKP prepared a report about the objectives of the party for 2010. The report was discussed and ratified in the last meeting of the Central Committee. In the report, the results of activities carried out under the slogan ‘Get ready for 2010!’ were also evaluated. The evaluations and new political and organizational targets were delivered to the agenda of the Party Council meeting which was held at the begining of January.
Basically, the political analysis emphasized that the tension between AKP and the armed forces confined Turkey into a pro-American and pro-market axis, and a labor oriented political line, which has a socialist perspective is the only option to save the people who remained imprisoned in this strain. However, it was further emphasized that since the initiative still lies in the hands of AKP and the government has concrete projects for Turkey and the region, furthering the strong opposition to AKP is a necessity. It was also stated that it is time to intensify the endeavors to bring new content into this opposition against AKP.
The Central Committee report indicated that the upcoming general election has a special importance for the political balances in Turkey. TKP would carry on its preparations with the target of gaining 1 percent of votes in the upcoming elections, which is also defined as a psychological threshold for years. The Central Committee commented that this target has to be perceived as a natural extention of the dynamism of toiling masses and the willpower of the party to win new social positions.
This year the party will commemorate the 90th year of its foundation. Regarding this special meaning of 2010, the Central Committee declared that the preparations of the party as well as social conditions are ripe for reaching these organizational and social targets.
Solidarity demonstration from TKP for TEKEL workers
Workers, intellectuals and the youth from all over the country met, following the call of TKP, with TEKEL workers on resistance in Ankara. TEKEL workers from all around Turkey gathered in Ankara to demand their right to work and resist against 4-C status which cut off their gained rights.
A massive demonstration was organized by the call of TKP on the 13th day of TEKEL resistance. During the demonstration, Erhan Nalçacı, member of the Political Bureau of TKP, made an inaugural speech. Nalçacı said that the workers waiting for 12 days in Ankara gave hope to the people of Turkey. He also thanked to TKP, Patriotic Pront Workers Union (YCİB) and labor union, Tek Gıda-İş, for their endeavors to organize the actions.
Following Erhan Nalçaçı TEKEL workers came to stage and addressed crowd. In their speech, workers emphasized their unity in struggle as workers from different origins as Kurds, Turks, Arabs, Circassians for a common and just cause.
Representatives of two labor unions, Petrol-İş and Tek Gıda İş, delivered a speech afterwards.
‘TEKEL workers are proud of you’
The last speech of the demonstration was delivered by Erkan Baş, chairman of TKP. ‘The battle waged by TEKEL workers in Ankara is very important regarding the struggle against imperialists, sultan-wannabes and caliphate-supporters. This government is against the workers, but why? Because the government conquered the organs of state but could not control the working class. In Turkey, the US brings governments to power, but the working class kicks them off. We are grateful for having such a working class and they have a party, TKP” Erkan Baş said.
He ended his words by greetings and with the slogan “TEKEL workers are proud of you” shouted by the workers.
‘If TEKEL workers overcome, we will all overcome’
TKP in a statement on the struggle of TEKEL workers pointed out the importance of their struggle for compelling AKP to take a back space in its hostile policies against the workers. In this statement all sections of Turkish working class are summoned for a joint stance for defending the resistance of TEKEL workers. It is emphasized that the cause of TEKEL workers was the cause of all worker.
It is reminded that TEKEL was one the public enterprise of tobacco products production. It was downsized and then sold to British American Tobacco with a tender, which lasted 17 minutes. BAT bought TEKEL and shut down the factories because the company bought TEKEL for its market share not for producing cigarettes.
The government is forcing workers to work 11 months and take unpaid leave for one month, to work for a wage that is one third of the wage they have been paid hitherto, and to give up their employee rights and bonuses accumulated so far. This is called “regulation 4-C”. Before the resistance the conditions imposed on workers were worse with a 10 months work and 2 months unpaid leave. The government did also make a slight increase in proposed wages. However the workers in a referendum rejected this new proposal and declared that they would resist until they have their full rights.
AKP is attacking on workers
AKP could not stand the resistance of TEKEL workers and legitimacy of their struggle in the eyes of the public. In the statement it is emphasized that the treatment of the government towards TEKEL workers with pepper gas and police baton, and the anti-labor policies it had pursued so far by the government was fully consistent with each other.
“While AKP has acted on the confidence of the high rate of votes it received so far, it is getting into panic especially as it faces the rising organized reactions of the workers, and so reveals its true character. The main reason of the violent attacks on TEKEL workers lies simply at this point.”
TEKEL workers are our sisters and brothers
In the statement the attacks were condemned not only as a violent intervention to TEKEL workers but as an outrageous stance of the government against the toiling masses:
“TEKEL workers are resisting in order for claiming their jobs, their bread and their future. This resistance does not belong to them only, but also to all workers and toiling masses of our country.
“The gains that would be achieved by TEKEL workers today will pave the way for the struggles of thousands of workers, as well as giving start to the action to “stop” the anti-labor policies of the government.”
It is reminded that from the first day onwards, TKP had been on the side of the resistance full steam ahead, and it would remain so till the end. TKP summoned AKP government to accept all demands of the workers immediately and unconditionally.
TKP addressed to all progressive and patriotic forces of our country, all workers’ unions and the toiling masses and repeated that our task was to foster the joint struggle against AKP by taking a stand in solidarity with TEKEL workers.
TKP made a written statement on the closure of Democratic Society Party
On the “Kurdish Problem”
Everybody is aware of the fact that the closure of Democratic Society Party (DTP) is a “political” decision. Issues related to the Kurdish problem cannot be considered merely in terms of juridical assessments, especially while the threat of a civil war is on the agenda of our country. The decision to close DTP would set our people against each other as it restricts the right to do politics of Kurds.
The so-called “Kurdish initiative”, the title and concrete objectives of which are still indeterminate, declared by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) is certainly a part of the plan initiated by the United States, despite all the denials of Erdoğan and his companions. The closure of DTP has been rendered congruent to these plans as well, and the necessary confirmation from Washington has been achieved.
There had been developments which imply that other actors apart from AKP, Republican People’s Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the US also want or agree on the closure of DTP. The armed attack in Tokat, the fact that it was assumed by PKK one day before the decision of the Constitutional Court, and the declarations of leading Kurdish politicians claiming that “DTP does not fulfill its functions” are obvious signs indicating that many different accounts are under consideration. It is apparent that such accounts do not serve the demands of equality of the Kurdish people, the historical legitimacy of which is indisputable.
The time for countering the “dirty”, “unscrupulous” and “clandestine” politics of imperialism, AKP and bourgeois opposition with the candid, principled and honest politics of the people has come long ago. In order to prevent our peoples to slaughter each other, such popular politics shall become dominant especially with regard to the Kurdish issue. It is impossible to develop a policy on behalf of toiling masses, on behalf of the people, by taking the current polarization in relation to the Kurdish problem as given or by getting articulated to this polarization.
In this context;
1. In line with the principles declared on various occasions, the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) will continue to pursue a righteous, revolutionary and decisive policy without separating the Kurdish issue from other problems of the country and the region. In the essence of this policy there lies,
a. The elimination of all legal, political, cultural and ideological causes that discriminate Kurdish people, deny their very existence and purge them from being an equal constituent of the country;
b. In view of the fact that such equality can only be possible under socialism and with the liberation of the working class in Turkey, embracing the Kurdish problem as an important subject of the struggles of toiling masses;
c. Defending Kurdish people’s demands of equality (although experiences have shown the difficulties of this stance), which can be met partially under the present order;
d. Fencing off these demands from the US and EU plans destructive for Turkey and the region, and preventing these to serve the activities carried out for the sake of reactionism and the reinforcement of exploitation;
e. Establishing the unity of all laborers and the poor against the capitalist order, the imperialist plunder and reactionism.
2. TKP summons all revolutionary, patriotic, left-wing forces and the toiling masses of Turkey to pursue an anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist stance before it is too late. Only this stance would prevent hidden negotiations and bloody conflicts. As long as Turkey remains on the axis of the US, controlled by EU, governed by parties like AKP or the like, there will be no peace and serenity for Turks and Kurds!
3. TKP demands military operations carried out under the rubric of “fight against terror” and armed attacks for “peace, as well as all declarations that weaken the trust and sympathy of peoples to each other to be stopped immediately.
4. TKP declares that “blind” violence against people, civilians, and means of public transportation serves to the consolidation of hostilities, and condemns all such acts. TKP summons all elements of the revolutionary movement to take a stand openly against such acts.
5. TKP calls all patriotic people to be on alert and take a stand against attacks and lynching attempts towards Kurds, some of which are directed by the state, some are carried out by organized fascist groups and some are spontaneous. TKP summons all progressive forces to prevent such acts and develop effective means against psychological campaigns aiming at setting peoples at odds.
6. TKP declares that provoking “popular forces” of Turks and Kurds against each other can be accepted under no circumstances; it is a despicable attitude to set peoples at odds through a showdown about which people are superior, bolder or crazier. TKP reminds that, like any other nation, there are goods and bads, rights and wrongs, exploited and the exploiter, oppressors and the oppressed among Turks and Kurds as well.
7. TKP will not participate in any act of political solidarity or platform that do not explicitly separate itself from imperialist plans and reactionary policies, and support the unity of Turks and Kurds in a very clear manner. TKP will not remain silent against any initiative that serves the interests of imperialism, reactionism and the exploiting classes. This is also a manifestation to establish the profoundest and the most advanced comradeship with those who express their will to separate themselves from imperialist plans and reactionism.
8. At this juncture, TKP feels itself obliged to say that, the danger grows bigger as less and less people care about the threat with which the country is faced despite the fact that this point is repeated frequently, and there is very little time left for those who talk about patriotism, fraternity, peace, independence and progressivism to pursue a righteous, courageous and independent stance. TKP will not allow this time to be exhausted.
Newspaper for solidarity with Palestinian people
The Peace Association of Turkey is going to publish a monthly newspaper, ‘Palestine Resisting’ for solidarity with Palestian people and their struggle. The release of the first issue is scheduled for January 2010. This newspaper will be free of charge and will be distributed particularly to intellectuals, artists, academics who show an interest in Palestinian cause.
The plan for publishing a solidarity newspaper was an idea born after the Gaza massacre of Israel in last December. During the Gaza attacks, the members of TKP and the Peace Association stayed twenty four hours in front of the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. After the Gaza issue the Peace Association endorsed the importance of contunity of solidarity work. These concerns were behind the idea of publishing a solidarity newspaper.
The newspaper will cover not only the political developments regarding Palestinian issue but aims to give an account of social life, which has been deteriorated further in last years. One of the priorities of this newspaper is to give a political and ideological support to the secular Palestinian resistance through acting as channel for their voice to reach to a certain section of Turkish society. It is believed that although Palestinian resistance is a union of struggling actors, only a strengthening secular resistance would be able to alter the general scene in Palestinian struggle.
In the first issue is dedicated to the Gaza massacre of 2008, the life under blockade in Gaza and the recent endeavors to help the people of Gaza. An interview with the director of Jenin Jenin, Mohammad Bakri could be also found in the first issue. In the next months the content would be enriched with the contribution of Palestinian people and groups.