Page 304 - America's Failure to Perceive the PKK

not covered by the social security services is a grave issue, which
needs to be resolved right away and the required insurance coverage
has to be put into effect immediately. These people have risked their
lives for the good pleasure of God and in the name of their nation.
Therefore, if they are injured in any way, their goodness and welfare
of their families and their being protected under social security

should be under the responsibility of the state. It is of great signifi-
cance that village guards should not be bereaved of their weapons
after retirement because it is known that the PKK designates these
people as enemies, and anticipates a time when they will have no
defense. For that reason leaving these people unguarded would mean
putting them in the crosshairs of the PKK. By paying a certain salary
even in their retirement, they should be guaranteed a prosperous life

with their families.
Time after time, there should be gatherings for consultation with
our village guards who have directly taken part in the struggle

against the PKK for 20 years, and their experience and intelligence
should be evaluated on a continual basis. It is a widely known prac-
tice that soldiers act together with the village guards, as the soldiers
are not so well informed about the lay of the land. Therefore, it is
obvious from all aspects how influential the village guards are.

More frequent acts of kidnappings and the taking of hostages are
more evidence of how the PKK is disturbed by the village guard sys-
tem. However, such incidents sometimes result in the martyrdom of

302 America's Failure to Perceive the PKK