The Status of the Kurds in Turkey
The article "Turkey's Kurds Gear Up for Revolt," April 8, does not completely illuminate the actual situation between Turks and Kurdish rebels. It claims that southeastern Kurds are growing more sympathetic to the rebels, but it omits mention of the Kurdish Workers Party's (PKK) death threats to Kurds who won't collaborate. And not once does it acknowledge the outlawed Marxist PKK to be a terrorist organization.
Recently violent attacks against Turkish businesses, banks, and consulates have been made in Berlin, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Brussels, as well as Istanbul. By now, Turkish security forces have been mobilized and it is to be hoped the PKK will cease its guerrilla attacks.
It must be admitted that Turkey has made some mistakes regarding the Kurds. Kurds are full citizens and, in fact, are proportionally represented in the Turkish parliament. The Turkish foreign minister is a Kurd. However, until recently the Kurdish language was virtually outlawed with a consequent denigration of Kurdish culture. This situation is now improving. The language is accepted, and one hopes such steps will continue so all Kurds will come to feel loyalty to the country they are a vital part of. Anne Binkley, Philadelphia Occupation of Tibet
Regarding the Opinion page article "Tibet's Shattered Hopes," March 25: Americans and others are likely unaware of the consistent point of view expressed on the question of Tibetan independence in the Chinese media, including the English-language newspaper China Daily.
Two items are especially worthy of mention. First, Beijing's approach to history is that Tibet has really been part of China for a very long time. Second, if in the mid-20th century China did take a more active interest in Tibet than previously, this was to free Tibetans from a cruel, repressive theocracy.
I have from time to time read historical accounts of morbid, inhuman deeds done in the name of this theocracy, written from an official Chinese perspective. David Lawson, Xian,China Sudanese relocated
The attempt by Sudan's Islamic fundamentalist regime to forcibly relocate displaced persons from around Khartoum ("Khartoum Squatters Forcibly Displaced," March 31) is reflective of the government's eagerness to punish innocent southern Sudanese who resist its plan to Islamicize them.
While it is the prerogative of the government of the Sudan to relocate the squatters, no regime should ever have the right to maliciously dump thousands of innocent families in desolate desert locations where unnecessary death by starvation, thirst, and disease is inescapable. The international community should exert every effort necessary to stop Khartoum's lethal relocation program. Moses M. Akol, Washington, Former journalist for Radio Juba, Juba, Sudan US role for Western Sahara
The article "Western Sahara Dispute Delays UN Peace Plan," March 17, did not mention the role of the United States government in the crisis. Washington has been sending economic and military aid to Morocco despite that country's illegal occupation of Western Sahara and its current efforts to block, delay, and rig the impending plebiscite.
It is worthwhile to mention that no country in the world formally recognizes Morocco's claim over Western Sahara. Washington should tell the Moroccan government and King Hassan to get out of Western Sahara or face a total cutoff of military and and economic assistance. Payam Foroughi, Salt Lake City
