US Congress and War in Northern Kurdistan (1991-1998)

Abstract

This research attempts to monitor and follow the attempts of the US Congress to take a policy contrary to the US administration's policy of providing military, as well as political, support to a close US ally, Turkey, in the interest of the United States without considering the possibility of Turkey using such support in violation of the laws of war Human rights and freedom of expression in Kurdistan. The study dealt with the most important American legislators who led this trend, the results of their efforts, as well as the impact of all this on Turkish-US relations in general and military support programs in particular. The research covers the period between 1991-1998, when the actual congressional pressures began to reduce and reduce the programs of military support and assistance to Turkey in 1991. This year also recorded significant events affecting the overall trends of American politics represented by the fall of the Soviet Union and the Second Gulf War and the rise of the Kurdish issue in forums As opposed to the intensification of the internal war in South Kurdistan. In 1998, it was the end of the programs of grants and donations of the US provided to Turkey for military purposes also witnessed the announcement of the leader of the PKK for a cease-fire again in Turkey, which received special attention from Some members of the US Congress.This research was mainly based on official letters and personal messages of US congressmen on Kurdish issues in Turkey, on a range of US and Turkish press reports as well as on some Human Rights Watch reports and the writings of some writers and specialists