Barış Derneği

İstanbul, August 21th, 2008

The war that has broke in the Caucasus that aims to disrupt the brotherhood in the region is getting to a deadlock, due to systematic steps of the USA towards increasing the tension. The USA, while accusing Russia of "trying to create a new iron curtain in Europe", is threatening the public opinion with wartime hysteria.

The USA and the AKP government who on all occasions accuse Russia of violating international law are cooperating in breaching the international Montreaux treaty. While maintaining a gunboat diplomacy under a cover of humanitarian aid, the USA is trying to pull Turkey into the war that has been escalating incrementally in the region. Interpreting the lack of an opening of the straits for American Medical ships into the Black Sea as "a second decree crisis" (hinting the rejection of the March 2003 decree letting the American troops through Turkey), the USA wants "more collaboration, more submission".

Yesterday evening, it has been announced that Turkey and USA has agreed on letting three warships pass through the straits into the Black Sea. This step taken by AKP in such sensitive days is an extremely dangerous and agressive stance for the peoples of the region. More Americanism, more partnership in war.

The Peace Association is calling upon all peace fighters to protest against this dishonoured stance of AKP, to not let these ships passing through the straits and carry blood and tears into Black Sea.

The Peace Association announces publicly that against all efforts of USA imperialism for increasing the tension in the Caucasus, in cooperation with all the prograssive forces and all the Caucasian peoples living in our country, we will in no way let our country be a mere instrument of provocative policies against Russia.

Peace Association of Turkey

Note: click for pdf version.