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Conceivably, the neighboring Azerbaijanis could join forces with the Kurds in their common maneuvers for autonomy, but the Kurds think it unlikely. "There are many differences between the two movements," says Abdul Rahman Qhassemlou, head of the Socialist Kurdish Democratic Party. "Ours is a national political movement, while the movement in Azerbaijan is religious. They are also very conservative: Azerbaijanis are more cautious than us Kurds." But speaking from his headquarters in Mahabad, where Kurdish tribesmen in baggy trousers and gaily colored waistbands patrolled the streets with automatic weapons and rockets, Qhassemlou was not turning away any possible allies in his fight against Tehran. Said he: "We sent some scouts into Tabriz to see what was going on." -