TKP writes open letter about Mecca Agreement to MPs and calls for action

The agreement provides for mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on any of its signatories. Its submission comes as Saudi Arabia continues its military intervention in Yemen, raising concerns that Turkey could be drawn into a war resulting from Saudi Arabia's intervention.

The following open letter issued by the Central Committee of Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) addresses members of the Turkish Parliament ahead of the ratification process.

"The Mecca Agreement signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey has brought our country to the brink of military conflict. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, one of the staunchest supporters of US and Israeli aggression in the region, particularly against Iran, is now preparing to draw our country into its ongoing war in Yemen through this agreement.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently announced that the agreement would be brought before Parliament and that the necessary preparations had been completed for a related parliamentary motion authorizing military action. The Minister's insistence from the outset on presenting the agreement as "defensive cooperation, not offensive cooperation" stems from his awareness that our people would never consent to Turkey's involvement in such a conflict.

Serving as a crutch for an oil-rich monarchy in the interests of Israel and the United States is in no way in the interests of our people.

Parliament is now being pressured to approve Turkey's entry into an unjust war. As you approach a vote with grave implications for the safety of our people and the future of our country, we wish to remind you, the members of Parliament, of the responsibility that comes with the seats you occupy.

If you approve the agreement that will be placed before you, and Turkey consequently becomes openly involved in the ongoing war in Yemen on the basis of that approval, you will bear a responsibility that will haunt you, both morally and historically. Know that this will go down as one of the greatest betrayals in our country's history, and that it will certainly have consequences.

We warn you: do not be eager for war. Otherwise, just as in the Korean War, you will bear responsibility for the deaths of our sons, this time in Yemen, sacrificed not for the interests of our country but for the designs of imperialist powers.

Working people across the country are struggling with poverty. Theft, corruption, drugs and economic crisis are ravaging the country. Do not let the adventure in Yemen into which you would drag our country go down in history as your greatest crime.

Use your political will to secure Turkey's withdrawal from the Mecca Agreement. The AKP government is throwing the country into the fire. Do not become complicit in this crime."

Call for action

TKP called on the people of Ankara to take to the streets against the Mecca Agreement, which could drag the country into war at any moment. The demonstration will take place on Wednesday, 21 October, at 7:30 PM in Sakarya Square in Ankara.