Dont Turn Our Land into War Field
Semih Guner, head of the Ankara Bar, read the statement, "No to War," on behalf of about 100 lawyers.
The statement read that the "U.S. insisted on war to regain the prestige it lost after the September 11 attacks and gain control of the world's energy resources."
"Because there is no United Nations resolutions, this war has no legal basis," continued Guner.
The statement continued as follows:
* Iraqi administration's antidemocratic structure, its aggression towards its people and neighbors, and its production of biological and chemical weapons, are, of course, unacceptable. But we can also not accept the fact that the U.S. is using these arguments, violating international law, and planning to attack Iraq by ignoring the whole world.
* The U.S. has remained silent to Israel's attacks on Palestinians. Moreover, it has supported other dictatorships and dynasties that served its interests. The U.S. has made a rule to apply different standards.
"It is degrading to bargain for war"
* The U.S. is planning to permanently stay in the region after the war. And part of that territory is within the borders of Turkey. This will make our territory a war field and our people, a target.
* Turkey does not have a single soldier or a single cent to sacrifice to oil and weapon monopolies. It is degrading to bargain for the cost of a war.
Lawyers supported the statement by applauding.
Protests all over Turkey
Lawyers from Bars in different parts of Turkey organized "No to War" demonstrations to oppose a possible U.S. attack on Iraq and read the same statement by TBB.
In a speech, Diyarbakir Bar head, lawyer Sezgin Tanrikulu said use of force could not be superior to international law. "The threat of war by U.S. is jeopardizing Turkey and our region," said Tanrikulu.
"This war does not have a legal basis." Tanrikulu also demanded that Saddam and Iraqi officials be tried by a court of international law.
A group of lawyers from the Urfa Bar marched against a possible war. Ferda Gulluoglu, head of the Urfa Bar said if Turkey allowed use of its lands for a war, this would be "disregarding freedom and sovereignty."
Deputy head of the Erzurum Bar, Sedat Ozaras, said at a press conference, that the U.S.'s plans were not restricted to Iraq. The U.S. wants to "gain the self-control of the world," he said.
Marches in Corum and Izmir
A group of lawyers from the Corum Bar marched in their frocks to in an anti-war statement. The humanity "must not surrender to the oil monopolies and weapon dealers lead by the U.S.," said Bar head Yucel Iliman.
The lawyers of the Izmir Bar also organized a "No to War," protest. "We will not become soldiers of America," chanted about 250 frocked lawyers. "Damn imperialism," "No to war," and "Long live brotherhood of the peoples," they also chanted.
"The U.S. is insisting on the attack, using September 11 as an excuse to regain its lost prestige and gain control of the Middle Eastern oil resources," said Izmir Bar head Bahattin Ozcan Acar.
"Turkey should not take part in such an imperialist war," said Acar stating that the war had no legal basis.
"War means destroying all basic human rights and freedoms, it means devastation, hunger and misery," he added.
In Ankara on January 10
The TBB officials and representatives will gather in Ankara on January 10 in an organization within the framework of "No to War," initiative and visit Ataturk's mausoleum. (BB/EA/NM)