March 1, 2001

The Bullet Aimed at the Workers of Tuzla, Not Taskin

    Cemal Taskin, The Tuzla Branch President of Deri-Is (Leather Workers' Union), who has been wounded due to an armed attack has said that the circles who lost the branch administration were the ones to attack him. Taskin stating that they have been holding a trade union struggle since 1991, has said, «Naturally while holding this struggle we established alliances with some people but when we came to the congress stage we became separated from certain elements crazed about populism and those not having any belief in the class. And the candidates supported by these circles lost the elections». Taskin also expressed that following the elections, these circles constantly came to the trade union and made such threats as, «We will make you pay the price for this, we will make you account for it» and at last Yasar Eris, Musa Servi's - the General Secretary of Tuzla Deri-Is - cousin and another person whose identity Taskin does not know have held this armed attack. Taskin has also stated that they have been acting together with Musa Servi for the last 6-7 years and that those who have held this attack have been manipulated by the people who have been causing internal hostility since the congress.

Attackers an extension of the gangs

    Taskin has described the attack and the beforehand in this way: «Musa Servi's supporters Ugur Parlak, Hasan Sonkaya and Murat Karatas wanted to use the branch secretary's room as their own meeting room. I requested them not to enter these rooms without the presence of either the President or the Secretary and hence became exposed to the attacks and threats of these three. In the evening I recognized Yasar Eris from a hundred meters in front of my house. I thought that he wanted to talk about this discussion. Instead they drew out their guns and fired at my arm and leg. This attack has been directed at the Tuzla leather workers and the working class. The only ones to make hold such an attack towards the workers would be gangs. Those attacking have shown that they are an extension of the gangs».

The workers will give the answer

    Taskin explained that they had come face to face with gangs and guns before as well during the struggle they held at Tuzla Organised Industrial Region (Istanbul), even kidnapped and taken to the mountains! He said, «It has been seen who the real enemies of the class are today. We have been trapped by the genuine internal enemies. We did not expect such things from them. I believe that this attack has served the capital and as such I condemn it with hatred. My struggle, which will also bring these forward, will continue to grave».
    Taskin expressed that the leather workers will give the proper answer to the circles which attacked him or made others attack. He said, «They will be through but the Tuzla workers will win! I believe workers will give the right answer to those serving the capital».

The attack is being protested

    General President of TUMTIS (Transport Workers' Union), Sabri Topcu, has also made a statement saying that the attack reflected the hostility felt towards the leather workers who make their living working under difficult conditions. Topcu expressing that he believed the leather workers will give the best answer to the attack has protested the attack and emphasized their solidarity with Deri-Is. General Secretary of KESK (Confederation of Public Sector Labourers' Unions) Sevil Erol has also stressed that the wounding of Taskin is an extension of the efforts directed at the unions to oppress their struggle. Erol, condemning the attack, wanted the attackers to be caught immediately.
    Also, Yol-Is (Road Workers' Union) Istanbul 1st Branch heads of workplace representatives, Turan Celebi, Fahri Sener, and Orhan Senol made a joint statement explaining that the attackers did nothing but help the interests of capital. In the statement, it was expressed that the working class is always going to repulse back these kind of dark gang attacks and support was given to Taskin.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BUREAU