Kader Asmal has quietly lifted South Africa’s embargo on arms to Turkey, which has killed thousands and displaced millions of Kurds. Marion Edmunds reports
SOUTH AFRICA has quietly lifted its embargo on arms sales to Turkey. Minister of Water and Forestry Affairs, Kader Asmal, who presides over regulation of government arms sales, said this week that the embargo had been conditionally lifted for “political” reasons in South Africa’s interest.
The Mail & Guardian understands from other government officials that the embargo, in place since August 1995, had been viewed as an obstacle to South Africa’s attempts to forge stronger ties with Turkey.
It is not known which arms Turkey might be interested in buying, nor how much money could be involved.
The move gives Turkey a much needed new arms supply. Its normal suppliers in Europe and the United States have reportedly halted their trade, sickened by the country’s fight with its Kurdish population. The war has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.
The decision also represents another foray by South Africa into the arms-hungry Middle East.
Turkey spent more than $6,2-billion on defence last year, and is striving to strengthen military ties with Israel – extending now to planned joint naval manoeuvres. It has also accused its Arab neighbours of trying to foment radical Islamism in Turkey, and of backing the Kurds.
Turkey’s initiatives have outraged Arab states, including Syria and Libya. The South African government has previously mooted a R3-billion arms sale to Syria, and views Libya as a long-time ally.
South Africa’s embargo on sales to Turkey preceded the investigation of arms exports which led to the creation of the National Conventional Arms Control Committeee. The committee, which Asmal chairs, now oversees permits for international arms marketing and sales.
“The decision to lift conditionally the moratorium on arms sales to Turkey was a political decision which took into consideration all aspects of the rationale and principles that are applicable to the committee,” Asmal said.
“No single factor would necessarily outweigh any other, as South Africa’s interests are always of primary consideration.”
Asmal declined to say whether companies including the state-owned Armscor and Denel had already applied to begin marketing their wares to Turkey.
He also said it was unlikely the committee would agree to allow South African arms to be sold for use in the country’s fight with its Kurds.
But a delegation of Turkish Kurds – briefed by Asmal two weeks ago on the issue – said that South Africa’s decision could merely help strengthen Turkey’s hand against them.
Turkey’s record of dealing with its Kurdish population includes denying them civil liberties and freedom unless they renounce their 4000-year-old culture.
The delegation includes representatives of the Kurdish parliament-in-exile, and the editor of a pro-Kurdish newspaper. He said 21 of his journalists had been murdered by Turkish state assassins.
“Turks have razed 3 000 Kurdish villages to the ground and are driving the people to squatter camps on the fringes of the city,” said one delegate, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“They call the guerrillas who hide in the mountains the fish, and the villages the sea, and they say to get the fish they have to drain the sea.”
The Centre for Conflict Resolution in Cape Town questioned Asmal’s interpretation of South Africa’s interests. “South Africa’s values as contained in our Bill of Rights are of primary consideration,” said director Laurie Nathan. “Where interests and values clash, constitutional values should prevail.”
The arms ruling is ironic for Asmal, who, as an exile and human rights activist, had championed the Kurds’ cause.