Interview
with Kathryn C. Porter

Jennifer Carnahan (JC): What youıre about to see is an interview between 
myself and Kathryn Cameron Porter, a long-time supporter of Kurdish 
human rights, and of human rights activism worldwide.  The interview took 
place on October 10, 1997.  We are discussing the fast for peace in Kurdistan 
and the freedom of Leyla Zana.  The fast will begin on October 20, 1997.

JC: Iım Jennifer Carnahan with the American Kurdish Information Network, 
and Iım here today speaking with Kathryn Cameron Porter.  She is a human 
rights activist and a long-time supporter of Kurdish human rights.  Sheıs the 
founder and president of the Human Rights Alliance, and sheıs also the wife 
of United States Congressman John Porter.  Kathryn is helping us to organize 
a fast, for peace in Kurdistan and the freedom of Leyla Zana.  I wanted to get 
some background information from you about how it is that you came to be 
involved in the particulars of the Kurdish situation.

Kathryn Cameron Porter (KCP):  Itıs just being aware of whatıs going on in 
foreign affairs.  I have been involved for a while.  Iım an anthropologist and  I 
studied the Kurds when I was in graduate school.  I became interested in 
them from the standpoint that they are the largest ethnic group in the world 
without their own state, and theyıre very similar to Native Americans.  I 
have a grandmother that was a full blooded Native American.  I think that I 
get an added benefit from trying to work on the issues with the Kurds.

JC: What about the specific case of Leyla Zana?

KCP: I think she represents so much about women in general.  Sheıs 
representative also of women who care about the continuity of generations 
rather than the continuity of governments.  When a woman sacrifices and 
rises to a level in which her voice is brought to the table and she can 
represent other women, itıs a wonderful thing.  When this woman was an 
elected member of parliament and used her voice to help people in peril, she 
was put in jail!  It runs counterpoint to everything the United States is about, 
and everything that anyone with any conscience is about.

JC: Do you think that these issues have any appeal to the public in general?

KCP: I really do.  As in the case with the Kurds at large, whatıs interesting to 
me is that when I go to talk to people on Capitol Hill in the Administration, 
thereıs an amazing lack of information.  But if you look at a number of 
members of Congress who are opening their eyes and their minds as 
information is brought to them, theyıre absolutely outraged!  Here we are, at 
the beginning of a new century, and weıre still allowing this type of brutality 
and violation of human rights.

JC: Do you think that one of the greatest obstacles to the Kurdish cause is the 
lack of knowledge and information?

KCP: Yes, I believe that strongly.  There has been a lot of entrenchment in 
terms of positions.  The leadership in the House and Senate, for instance, is 
based on past relationships, as well as in the Pentagon, in the State 
Department, and the CIA.  I believe that when the facts of the history of the 
Kurdish people come out--and they will come out--people will change their 
minds.  Itıs a travesty, it really is.  I view it as part of my personal 
responsibility as an individual in the world today, to help in this situation, 
especially Leyla Zanaıs situation.  I think there are a lot of women in the 
United States from very diverse backgrounds who would be supportive of 
her.  I think her case will educate a lot of other people about whatıs really 
happening in Turkey.

JC: What do you think is unique about doing the fast, and why is it that you 
want to participate?

KCP: Itıs very practical.  I and a lot of other people have tried to do as much as 
we can to get the administrationıs attention, to get the Congressı attention, 
and we just reach a point where nothing seems to change.  In fact everything 
seems to get worse.  I believe that itıs necessary to do something a little bit 
different to attract some people who might not have thought about whatıs 
happening there.  Itıs really out of frustration.  In terms of my more personal 
fasting, I have to be very cautious because Iım a diabetic.  We do have a doctor 
who will work with me.  I will have a modified fast, because a diabetic is in 
danger of going into a coma in a matter of a few days if youıre not 
replenished.  So I think Iım going to be able to do it without any danger, and I 
believe my husband will support me in the fast if I can assure him that he 
wonıt be married to a woman whoıs in a coma!  Iım sort of walking the line to 
see how far I can go.

JC: Thatıs a great risk that youıre taking!

KCP: No, itıs not a great risk.  Itıs part of life.  I believe very strongly in the 
world of the individual and the individualıs responsibility.  With human 
rights comes responsibility, and I believe it is shameful what we, the United 
States, continue to allow to happen to the Kurds.  We have got to do 
something to shake it loose.  I think of that Thomas Jefferson quote, ³When I 
think that God is just, I tremble for my country.²  And I do.

JC: Youıre hoping with the fast to gain more attention to the issue, thatıs the 
main goal of the fast.  How long are you planning on fasting?

KCP: As long as it takes.

JC: Do think that the fast will directly result in the release of Leyla Zana?

KCP: Of course I have that as my highest goal.  I think it would be wonderful 
if she could be here in the United States, if she could talk to people.  If weıre 
able to get her released, I think we could do a lot of interesting things.  I 
believe that the United States could get her released this afternoon if they  
wanted to.  But there hasnıt been enough noise.  When you look at Turkey 
and the mothers that are protesting on a regular basis, there is progress, but 
itıs so slow.  When I was in the southeast of Turkey, this wonderful man took 
me around and helped me get to know Kurds.  I asked him at the time, how 
can you live with it?  How can you wake up every morning and know that 
these horrible situations are occurring and thereıs not much you can do about 
it?  He just shrugged his shoulders and said, ³Soon enough, our bones will 
pile so high that the world cannot ignore them.²  And that stays with me, I 
think about it every day.

JC: Do you think that peace in Kurdistan is possible?

KCP: I do.  Thereıs been a change of attitude, even in Washington.  Youıre 
now hearing people talk about the fact that a Kurdistan will exist.  But then 
you put a time frame on it and theyıll say, ³Oh, at least twenty years!²  But 
theyıre realizing that it will exist.  I think there has to be a peace, there has to 
be a recognition.  But if people donıt act, if people donıt get involved, it wonıt 
happen.

JC: My final question for you is about your husbandıs opinion and support of 
your human rights efforts.

KCP: Heıs totally supportive, except for the fasting part, but weıll work with 
that.  Heıs typical of Congressmen who learn about the Kurds.  He started 
with knowing nothing about them except that he had heard the name before, 
and now heıs become a real champion of the Kurds, and so have a number of 
other congressmen.  Itıs an unfolding, and really think we have to redouble 
our efforts to let people know, and thatıs what this fast is all about.  Heıll be 
there with me!

JC: Thatıs great!  Thank you, Kathryn.

KCP: Thank you.