Armenians snub mayor’s call for return
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Prominent members of Armenian diaspora reject Diyarbakır Mayor’s invitation to Armenians whose ancestors were forced to flee in 1915 to return to the city
Various well-known names among the Armenian diaspora have reacted negatively Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir recent invitation to Armenians and other non-Muslim peoples, whose ancestors lived in the southeastern province before they were forced to flee during the events of 1915, to return to the city.
Ara Sarafyan, the director of the Gomidas Institute in London, and whose family’s origins lie in the Turkish provinces of Yozgat and Elazığ, was among those to react to Baydemir’s invitation.
“Baydemir’s call is not enough. And what is more, it could be manipulated by the Turkish nationalists.
Even though the intention is good, Baydemir is a politician above all,” Sarafyan said, adding that a considerable part of the diaspora has its origins in Diyarbakır. “As in most provinces, Armenians were also massacred in Diyarbakır. Why should they return to the city they left with great pain?”
“An Armenian, an Assyrian and a Chaldean, whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers were born in Diyarbakır, have the same right to live in Diyarbakır as I have, [speaking] as a Kurdish person who was born in Diyarbakır. I would like to invite all the ethnic groups whose ancestors once lived in Diyarbakır back to Diyarbakır again. Come back to your city,” Baydemir said, addressing Turkish and Armenian journalists on Sept. 25 on the sidelines of a roundtable conference called “Expanding the Scope of Dialogue: Media and Armenia-Turkey Relations at the Current Stage,” organized by the Yerevan Press Club in Diyarbakır.
“I don’t believe it is a serious and sincere call. It has no meaning for us; no one could come back. What would we find out about ourselves if we returned? I would of course want to return the land where my ancestors were born, but it is not possible under such conditions,” Suzanne Khardalian, a film director currently residing in Stockholm whose family comes from Adıyaman and Maraş, said.
Why Diyarbakır?’
Garo Yalick, who currently lives in France but whose family has origins in Van and Mardin, said the call did not make any sense to him.
“They only remember to call on Armenian when they are faced with political problems. So I want to ask: Why should we come back?” Yalick said.
The Armenian press also criticized Diyarbakır’s being chosen for the “Turkey-Armenia Relations” conference organized by the Yerevan Press Club and chaired by Boris Navasartyan, because the Kurdish issue is so intensely felt in the city.
A column about Baydemir’s invitation, asking “Why Diyarbakır?” was published by Hagop Çakıryan, a columnist for the Armenian newspaper Azg who specializes in Turkey.
“Diyarbakır is being introduced as the capital city of North Kurdistan, while Osman Baydemir is regarded as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s [PKK] representative. Baydemir is also seen as an enemy in political circles in Turkey,” Çakıryan’s column read.
The fact that Sunday’s meeting’s was held in Diyarbakır would not be useful for the dialogue between the two countries, Çakıryan told the Hürriyet Daily News. “Diyarbakır is a city associated with the Kurdish problem. It must be the last place to go in terms of Turkey-Armenia relations. While the Yerevan Press Club chair was saying this meeting would contribute to Turkey-Armenia relations, Baydemir both underlined the events of 1915 and made a call for the return [of non-Muslim ethnic groups],” Çakıryan said.
September/28/2012
28 Eylül 2012 Cuma
18 Eylül 2012 Salı
Aliyev to visit France as tension continues
ISTANBUL-Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Azerbaijan’s President İlham Aliyev will travel to France today, as a group mostly consisting of members of the French-Armenian diaspora prepares to protest his visit.
Aliyev will attend the opening ceremony of the Islamic Arts Hall at the Louvre Museum, and then meet France’s President François Hollande at the Elysee Presidential Palace. His visit comes at a time of high tension between Yerevan and Baku, due to the latter’s pardoning and promotion of Ramil Safarov, an Azeri officer who murdered an Armenian counterpart at a NATO event in 2004.
‘Safarov case’ on the agenda
Hollande will bring the issue of Safarov’s release to the agenda during his meeting with Aliyev, said Franck Mourad Papazian, a prominent figure in the French-Armenian diaspora and a member of the Dashnaksutyun Party, in a telephone interview with Hürriyet Daily News.
The protest of Aliyev’s visit is intended as call for a justice addressed to the entire world, Papzian said. “Aliyev’s government pardoned and promoted Safarov, who killed Gurgen Margaryan just because he was an Armenian. Forgiving a murderer means ignoring and violating international law,” Papazian said. More than 6,000 people all over France are expected to attend the protests.
With regard to the French draft law concerning denial of the alleged Armenian genocide, which had caused tension between Turkey and France, Papazian said the Hollande government will revive the law, and that negotiations to schedule this were ongoing.
September/18/2012
ISTANBUL-Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Azerbaijan’s President İlham Aliyev will travel to France today, as a group mostly consisting of members of the French-Armenian diaspora prepares to protest his visit.
Aliyev will attend the opening ceremony of the Islamic Arts Hall at the Louvre Museum, and then meet France’s President François Hollande at the Elysee Presidential Palace. His visit comes at a time of high tension between Yerevan and Baku, due to the latter’s pardoning and promotion of Ramil Safarov, an Azeri officer who murdered an Armenian counterpart at a NATO event in 2004.
‘Safarov case’ on the agenda
Hollande will bring the issue of Safarov’s release to the agenda during his meeting with Aliyev, said Franck Mourad Papazian, a prominent figure in the French-Armenian diaspora and a member of the Dashnaksutyun Party, in a telephone interview with Hürriyet Daily News.
The protest of Aliyev’s visit is intended as call for a justice addressed to the entire world, Papzian said. “Aliyev’s government pardoned and promoted Safarov, who killed Gurgen Margaryan just because he was an Armenian. Forgiving a murderer means ignoring and violating international law,” Papazian said. More than 6,000 people all over France are expected to attend the protests.
With regard to the French draft law concerning denial of the alleged Armenian genocide, which had caused tension between Turkey and France, Papazian said the Hollande government will revive the law, and that negotiations to schedule this were ongoing.
September/18/2012
Report reveals Syriacs’ rocky journey out of Syria
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
A recently released report shows that many Aramean Syriacs fleeing the violence from Syria are smuggled to Europe via Turkey. However, they are sent to refugee camps or jails after being discovered
Many Aramean Syriacs fleeing the violence in Syria for European countries via Turkey are either sent to refugee camps or jails, according to a recent report prepared by the Swedish-based NGO the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs).
The report, titled “Aramean (Syriac) Refugees from Syria into Greece via Turkey: A Case Study of Refugees in Need in Athens,” says Aramean migrants first try to reach Istanbul, then go to Greece and then on to a third country. However, many are sent to jail or to refugee camps after being discovered.
The report will be sent to the relevant bodies of the U.N. and the EU. “Some 300 Aramean Christian families have escaped from Syria and fled to Greece to seek refugee … We have worked with clergy from the Syriac Orthodox Church in order to uncover some of their stories. The refugees told us how they had crossed the borders into Turkey, some through legal and others through illegal borders,” World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) President Johny Messo told Hürriyet Daily News.
“They left Syria because they feel threatened and intimidated. They did not want to fight in this war and fear an uncertain future,” he said.Messo said all the refugees were afraid of what comes next for them in Greece. “Many stay in dismal and depressing situations, afraid to leave their new houses, hoping not to be robbed, arrested or forced back to Syria.
They are all trying to leave Greece for either Sweden or Germany, where their other family members are located,” he said. According to the report, human traffickers ask for approximately 4000 euros for adults and 2000 euros for children to pass into Europe. It also says that 76 percent of the refugees come from Qamisli, 12 percent from Hassake and 12 percent from Malikeye (Derik). Around 65 percent are male and 35 percent are female. The journey to Greece is not safe and a number of refugees have almost died, with three or four times the safe number of people cramming together onto unsafe boats.
Refugee stories
The report also includes stories from the refugees themselves. Abdo Ablahad, 29, escaped from Syria on July 18. He went from Derik across the Turkish border and on to Istanbul. After arriving Istanbul he met a 16-year-old Iranian smuggler who transported him to Greece for 1,500 euros. Ablahad made the journey with approximately 50 other refugees from Syria, including Sunnis and Alevis. He has made three attempts to get to Germany, which is where his whole family lives, through Greece’s Thessaloniki airport, but he was caught by the police each time. Although he has a fake Italian passport, the police now know him.
Stayfo Sharbel, 20, was an economics student in Haseki. However, his Aramean university friend was kidnapped and his parents told him to stop going to university. They also wanted him to leave to country because there were calls for him to be drafted into the army and he did not want to fight in the war. Sharbel crossed the border into Turkey and later arrived in Istanbul.
There was no motor so the group he was with had to row across approximately 50 kilometers to get to a Greek island. However, when they landed the police caught and sent them to jail. Sharbel wants to go on to Sweden and has tried but failed on three occasions to reach there from Thessaloniki Airport. His family has remained in Syria, and he is unsure of his future.
September/18/2012
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
A recently released report shows that many Aramean Syriacs fleeing the violence from Syria are smuggled to Europe via Turkey. However, they are sent to refugee camps or jails after being discovered
Many Aramean Syriacs fleeing the violence in Syria for European countries via Turkey are either sent to refugee camps or jails, according to a recent report prepared by the Swedish-based NGO the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs).
The report, titled “Aramean (Syriac) Refugees from Syria into Greece via Turkey: A Case Study of Refugees in Need in Athens,” says Aramean migrants first try to reach Istanbul, then go to Greece and then on to a third country. However, many are sent to jail or to refugee camps after being discovered.
The report will be sent to the relevant bodies of the U.N. and the EU. “Some 300 Aramean Christian families have escaped from Syria and fled to Greece to seek refugee … We have worked with clergy from the Syriac Orthodox Church in order to uncover some of their stories. The refugees told us how they had crossed the borders into Turkey, some through legal and others through illegal borders,” World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) President Johny Messo told Hürriyet Daily News.
“They left Syria because they feel threatened and intimidated. They did not want to fight in this war and fear an uncertain future,” he said.Messo said all the refugees were afraid of what comes next for them in Greece. “Many stay in dismal and depressing situations, afraid to leave their new houses, hoping not to be robbed, arrested or forced back to Syria.
They are all trying to leave Greece for either Sweden or Germany, where their other family members are located,” he said. According to the report, human traffickers ask for approximately 4000 euros for adults and 2000 euros for children to pass into Europe. It also says that 76 percent of the refugees come from Qamisli, 12 percent from Hassake and 12 percent from Malikeye (Derik). Around 65 percent are male and 35 percent are female. The journey to Greece is not safe and a number of refugees have almost died, with three or four times the safe number of people cramming together onto unsafe boats.
Refugee stories
The report also includes stories from the refugees themselves. Abdo Ablahad, 29, escaped from Syria on July 18. He went from Derik across the Turkish border and on to Istanbul. After arriving Istanbul he met a 16-year-old Iranian smuggler who transported him to Greece for 1,500 euros. Ablahad made the journey with approximately 50 other refugees from Syria, including Sunnis and Alevis. He has made three attempts to get to Germany, which is where his whole family lives, through Greece’s Thessaloniki airport, but he was caught by the police each time. Although he has a fake Italian passport, the police now know him.
Stayfo Sharbel, 20, was an economics student in Haseki. However, his Aramean university friend was kidnapped and his parents told him to stop going to university. They also wanted him to leave to country because there were calls for him to be drafted into the army and he did not want to fight in the war. Sharbel crossed the border into Turkey and later arrived in Istanbul.
There was no motor so the group he was with had to row across approximately 50 kilometers to get to a Greek island. However, when they landed the police caught and sent them to jail. Sharbel wants to go on to Sweden and has tried but failed on three occasions to reach there from Thessaloniki Airport. His family has remained in Syria, and he is unsure of his future.
September/18/2012
17 Eylül 2012 Pazartesi
Pope Wraps up Mideast visit, nets criticism
BEIRUT - Hürriyet Daily News
Pope Benedict arrives in his popemobile to hold mass in downtown Beirut. AP Photo
The spiritual leaders of Middle Eastern Christian communities have expressed their disappointment with the outcome of Pope Benedict XVI’s landmark trip to the region, saying they had hoped to present their problems to a greater degree.
The spiritual leaders were planning to bring the current situation of the Christian communities and the high tension in Syria to the pontiff’s agenda, but were largely unable to do so.
“We wished to talk about the situation of the Christians in the Middle East, especially in Syria, but our time was very limited,” Mor Theophilus Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon George Saliba told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Saliba also touched upon the attacks that have increased the tension in the Middle East and commented on the assassinations last week of four U.S. diplomatic officials, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, as he criticized the anti-Islam movie “The Innocence of Muslims” that led to the incidents.
“The movie is disturbing and scandalous. No one has the right to insult others’ beliefs in such a way. The Middle East is already a field of conflicts, and this movie will [stir up] the area still more,” Saliba said.
Everyone, including Christians and Muslims, is suffering from the rising tension in the region, the metropolitan said. “People in the Middle East want to stop this pain as soon as possible, including both Christians and Muslims.”
Reisyan also called the movie “scandalous,” adding that the movie would trigger violent actions in the region and stated that not only Christians but also Muslims were under threat in Syria. “The Innocence of Muslims,” produced by a filmmaker in the United States, ridicules Islam and insults the Prophet Muhammad.
‘Patriarchate won’t return to Turkey’
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, is conducting negotiations in order to bring the Syriac Orthodox and Catholic patriarchates in Damascus and Lebanon back to Turkey. Both Patriarchates were exiled from Turkey during the 1930s, but Saliba said such a move was unlikely to occur.
“We are determined to stay here, where they respect us the very most. We don’t have any intention of leaving here,” he said.
When asked what he thought about the emigration of the community due to the conflicts in the region, he said, “Here is our homeland, so we should keep our existence in this land.”
Reisyan also said Syrian Armenians should stay in the region. “As Syrian Armenians, we have never been a party to a conflict where brothers shed each other’s blood and never will be. We hope peace will prevail in the region as soon as possible.”
September/17/2012
BEIRUT - Hürriyet Daily News
Pope Benedict arrives in his popemobile to hold mass in downtown Beirut. AP Photo
The spiritual leaders of Middle Eastern Christian communities have expressed their disappointment with the outcome of Pope Benedict XVI’s landmark trip to the region, saying they had hoped to present their problems to a greater degree.
The spiritual leaders were planning to bring the current situation of the Christian communities and the high tension in Syria to the pontiff’s agenda, but were largely unable to do so.
“We wished to talk about the situation of the Christians in the Middle East, especially in Syria, but our time was very limited,” Mor Theophilus Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon George Saliba told the Hürriyet Daily News.
Saliba also touched upon the attacks that have increased the tension in the Middle East and commented on the assassinations last week of four U.S. diplomatic officials, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, as he criticized the anti-Islam movie “The Innocence of Muslims” that led to the incidents.
“The movie is disturbing and scandalous. No one has the right to insult others’ beliefs in such a way. The Middle East is already a field of conflicts, and this movie will [stir up] the area still more,” Saliba said.
Everyone, including Christians and Muslims, is suffering from the rising tension in the region, the metropolitan said. “People in the Middle East want to stop this pain as soon as possible, including both Christians and Muslims.”
Reisyan also called the movie “scandalous,” adding that the movie would trigger violent actions in the region and stated that not only Christians but also Muslims were under threat in Syria. “The Innocence of Muslims,” produced by a filmmaker in the United States, ridicules Islam and insults the Prophet Muhammad.
‘Patriarchate won’t return to Turkey’
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, is conducting negotiations in order to bring the Syriac Orthodox and Catholic patriarchates in Damascus and Lebanon back to Turkey. Both Patriarchates were exiled from Turkey during the 1930s, but Saliba said such a move was unlikely to occur.
“We are determined to stay here, where they respect us the very most. We don’t have any intention of leaving here,” he said.
When asked what he thought about the emigration of the community due to the conflicts in the region, he said, “Here is our homeland, so we should keep our existence in this land.”
Reisyan also said Syrian Armenians should stay in the region. “As Syrian Armenians, we have never been a party to a conflict where brothers shed each other’s blood and never will be. We hope peace will prevail in the region as soon as possible.”
September/17/2012
14 Eylül 2012 Cuma
Teachers in quake-hit Van start their post
VAN - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
The Turkish Housing Development Administration’s (TOKİ) has recently completed new housings in Van, which will be distributed to the victims of the earthquake.
The young teachers newly appointed to positions in the eastern province of Van, which was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake last year, are happy because to able to start their jobs after a long waiting period, but they are also concerned about the scarcity of available houses in the area.
“I have been waiting to be appointed for two years. In the draw, Van was the duty assignment selected for me. I am aware that students here need education, but there is the problem of finding a place to stay. I have not been able to find a place to rent, and the Teachers Lodging building collapsed in the earthquake,” said 23-year-old English teacher Tuğba T. from İzmir, who wished to remain anonymous because she is a public employee.
Tuğba T. is required to fulfill three years of compulsory service in Van. “I am alone. This is my first time in the eastern provinces. I have some concerns about safety,” she said.
“Because there are no houses available for rent, the authorities have suggested that we live in container homes in the container cities. I would have to share a container with another teacher. I don’t know what will happen,” Tuğba T. said.
28-year old mathematics teacher Melek Y. says she waited four years before being appointed to Van. “It will take us a full year before we settle into houses. We will be temporarily accommodated in container cities. Because of the scarcity of housing, we will share our containers with other teachers. I believe our living conditions will be tough,” she said.
Thirty-five-year-old Banu A., a literature teacher, said she did not have a problem finding accommodation because her husband is a police officer. “We have a place to stay in police housing. Many of my fellow teachers are having problems finding accommodations. No one is complaining about having been appointed to the east, but this accommodation issue calls for an immediate solution.”
There is no major accommodation issue, Van Governor Münir Karaloğlu told Hürriyet Daily News.
September/14/2012
VAN - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
The Turkish Housing Development Administration’s (TOKİ) has recently completed new housings in Van, which will be distributed to the victims of the earthquake.
The young teachers newly appointed to positions in the eastern province of Van, which was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake last year, are happy because to able to start their jobs after a long waiting period, but they are also concerned about the scarcity of available houses in the area.
“I have been waiting to be appointed for two years. In the draw, Van was the duty assignment selected for me. I am aware that students here need education, but there is the problem of finding a place to stay. I have not been able to find a place to rent, and the Teachers Lodging building collapsed in the earthquake,” said 23-year-old English teacher Tuğba T. from İzmir, who wished to remain anonymous because she is a public employee.
Tuğba T. is required to fulfill three years of compulsory service in Van. “I am alone. This is my first time in the eastern provinces. I have some concerns about safety,” she said.
“Because there are no houses available for rent, the authorities have suggested that we live in container homes in the container cities. I would have to share a container with another teacher. I don’t know what will happen,” Tuğba T. said.
28-year old mathematics teacher Melek Y. says she waited four years before being appointed to Van. “It will take us a full year before we settle into houses. We will be temporarily accommodated in container cities. Because of the scarcity of housing, we will share our containers with other teachers. I believe our living conditions will be tough,” she said.
Thirty-five-year-old Banu A., a literature teacher, said she did not have a problem finding accommodation because her husband is a police officer. “We have a place to stay in police housing. Many of my fellow teachers are having problems finding accommodations. No one is complaining about having been appointed to the east, but this accommodation issue calls for an immediate solution.”
There is no major accommodation issue, Van Governor Münir Karaloğlu told Hürriyet Daily News.
September/14/2012
13 Eylül 2012 Perşembe
Minister ‘wants’ to attend masses
VAN - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Turkish Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay has said that in the coming years he would like to attend masses in those long-dormant churches that have been reopened during his term in office.
Günay attended a groundbreaking ceremony at the Urartu Museum, which is to be opened in the eastern province of Van. Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News, Günay commented on his 10 years in office.
“We not only reopened Sümela [in Trabzon] and Surp Haç [in Van], but also opened the Church of St. Nicholas located in Demre [in Antalya] for religious services. From Alevis to Greeks and from Armenians to Sunnis, we wanted to revive mutual awareness and the will to live together. This is [the Justice and Development Party] AKP’s main goal. It is true that I did not attend [those services which have already taken place in the reopened churches] but I would like to attend future ones,” Günay said.
With Günay’s approval, historic Sümela Monastery, located in the Black Sea province of Trabzon, was reopened in 2010. After that, Surp Haç (Holy Cross) Church, located in the eastern province of Van, was opened for religious services once a year just after its restoration was completed.
Günay also commented on the sculpture “Monument to Humanity,” which was erected in the eastern province of Kars and dedicated to Turkish-Armenian friendship, and was removed after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called it “freakish” and demanded its removal.
“They [the AKP] have supported me in all my work, but of course there have been some issues. The humanity monument was one of the biggest of these. Politics and art should not have conflicted with each other in that way; I did not want a work of art to be called ‘freakish,’ but the press forced the prime minister to use this word,” Günay said, when asked whether he had encountered difficulties during his term in office.
“It is true that I have leftist tendencies, but the AKP includes people with different views. It was a newly founded party then, and it turned a new page for me,” Günay said.
September/13/2012
VAN - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Turkish Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay has said that in the coming years he would like to attend masses in those long-dormant churches that have been reopened during his term in office.
Günay attended a groundbreaking ceremony at the Urartu Museum, which is to be opened in the eastern province of Van. Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News, Günay commented on his 10 years in office.
“We not only reopened Sümela [in Trabzon] and Surp Haç [in Van], but also opened the Church of St. Nicholas located in Demre [in Antalya] for religious services. From Alevis to Greeks and from Armenians to Sunnis, we wanted to revive mutual awareness and the will to live together. This is [the Justice and Development Party] AKP’s main goal. It is true that I did not attend [those services which have already taken place in the reopened churches] but I would like to attend future ones,” Günay said.
With Günay’s approval, historic Sümela Monastery, located in the Black Sea province of Trabzon, was reopened in 2010. After that, Surp Haç (Holy Cross) Church, located in the eastern province of Van, was opened for religious services once a year just after its restoration was completed.
Günay also commented on the sculpture “Monument to Humanity,” which was erected in the eastern province of Kars and dedicated to Turkish-Armenian friendship, and was removed after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called it “freakish” and demanded its removal.
“They [the AKP] have supported me in all my work, but of course there have been some issues. The humanity monument was one of the biggest of these. Politics and art should not have conflicted with each other in that way; I did not want a work of art to be called ‘freakish,’ but the press forced the prime minister to use this word,” Günay said, when asked whether he had encountered difficulties during his term in office.
“It is true that I have leftist tendencies, but the AKP includes people with different views. It was a newly founded party then, and it turned a new page for me,” Günay said.
September/13/2012
CHP to carry Zirve trial to Parliament
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Main opposition CHP’s deputy leader Sezgin Tanrıkulu is preparing to put forward questions in Parliament about why the Zirve massacre case has not progressed. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL
The Malatya Zirve Publishing House massacre case will be on the agenda of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) when the new parliamentary term starts on Oct. 1.
CHP deputy leader Sezgin Tanrıkulu is preparing to put forward questions in Parliament about why the case has not progressed yet and about the two judges and two prosecutors who were removed from duty on Sept. 1, two days before a critical hearing in the case.
The prosecutors and judges, who had been following the case for five years, were dismissed from the case and assigned to other duties due to the abolishment of the Law about Specially Authorized Courts as part of the third judicial package legislated by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government.
Tanrıkulu told the Hürriyet Daily News that the dismissal of the judges and prosecutors would doubtless affect the case’s progress. “There is an indictment consisting of thousands of pages. Above all, they had been following the case for five years. That means some people do not want the case to be resolved,” Tanrıkulu said.
Three missionaries - German citizen Tillman Geske and two Turks, Necati Aydın and Uğur Yüksel - were tied up and tortured before their throats were slit at the Zirve Publishing House, a Christian publisher in the eastern province of Malatya, on April 18, 2007.
“From the Father Santoro murder committed in [the Black Sea province of] Trabzon to the Hrant Dink murder, and from the Zirve Publishing House massacre to the murder of a bishop in [the Mediterranean province of] İskenderun, all these murders display signs that they were committed by ultranationalists. It is clear that the deep state had a hand in these incidents, but the AKP does not try to shed light on them,” Tanrıkulu said.
He added that they were collecting data from the lawyers following the Zirve massacre case, and also working on a report that would be presented to Parliament.
Kurdish issue is a dilemma
Tanrıkulu also expressed his views on the Kurdish issue and the Heybeliada Halki seminary. He warned that abolishing the political immunity of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies would be of no use. “The Democratic Society Party (DEP) was closed in 1994, and its deputies were jailed, the result of this is evident. Abolishing the political immunities of BDP deputies would mean repeating the same mistake,” Tanrıkulu said. Tanrıkulu also said the CHP was ready to give any kind of support for the reopening of the Halki Seminary, but the AKP’s attitude toward the subject was not clear.“Politicians should leave prejudices aside and must immediately intervene [in the issue]. … Turkey is not on the right track in terms of either foreign policy or civil peace,” Tanrıkulu said.
September/12/2012
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Main opposition CHP’s deputy leader Sezgin Tanrıkulu is preparing to put forward questions in Parliament about why the Zirve massacre case has not progressed. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL
The Malatya Zirve Publishing House massacre case will be on the agenda of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) when the new parliamentary term starts on Oct. 1.
CHP deputy leader Sezgin Tanrıkulu is preparing to put forward questions in Parliament about why the case has not progressed yet and about the two judges and two prosecutors who were removed from duty on Sept. 1, two days before a critical hearing in the case.
The prosecutors and judges, who had been following the case for five years, were dismissed from the case and assigned to other duties due to the abolishment of the Law about Specially Authorized Courts as part of the third judicial package legislated by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government.
Tanrıkulu told the Hürriyet Daily News that the dismissal of the judges and prosecutors would doubtless affect the case’s progress. “There is an indictment consisting of thousands of pages. Above all, they had been following the case for five years. That means some people do not want the case to be resolved,” Tanrıkulu said.
Three missionaries - German citizen Tillman Geske and two Turks, Necati Aydın and Uğur Yüksel - were tied up and tortured before their throats were slit at the Zirve Publishing House, a Christian publisher in the eastern province of Malatya, on April 18, 2007.
“From the Father Santoro murder committed in [the Black Sea province of] Trabzon to the Hrant Dink murder, and from the Zirve Publishing House massacre to the murder of a bishop in [the Mediterranean province of] İskenderun, all these murders display signs that they were committed by ultranationalists. It is clear that the deep state had a hand in these incidents, but the AKP does not try to shed light on them,” Tanrıkulu said.
He added that they were collecting data from the lawyers following the Zirve massacre case, and also working on a report that would be presented to Parliament.
Kurdish issue is a dilemma
Tanrıkulu also expressed his views on the Kurdish issue and the Heybeliada Halki seminary. He warned that abolishing the political immunity of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies would be of no use. “The Democratic Society Party (DEP) was closed in 1994, and its deputies were jailed, the result of this is evident. Abolishing the political immunities of BDP deputies would mean repeating the same mistake,” Tanrıkulu said. Tanrıkulu also said the CHP was ready to give any kind of support for the reopening of the Halki Seminary, but the AKP’s attitude toward the subject was not clear.“Politicians should leave prejudices aside and must immediately intervene [in the issue]. … Turkey is not on the right track in terms of either foreign policy or civil peace,” Tanrıkulu said.
September/12/2012
Christian group ‘will be’ OK with Brotherhood
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
A general view shows a damaged church in the neighbourhood of old Homs. REUTERS photo
A recently established council bringing together Syria’s Christian minority groups in Syria has no fear of a possible Muslim Brotherhood rule in the country, according to a prominent member.
“We want to live as equal citizens and with equal rights all over the Middle East, especially in Syria,” Bassam Ishak, leader of the Damascus-based Liberal Party, told the Hürriyet Daily News on behalf of the council after announcing the establishment of the “Syrian Syriac National Council” on Sept. 8.
Over 30 political parties, non-governmental organizations, and women’s organizations, including the European Syriac Union, the Syriac American Association and the Syriac Movement have joined together to form the council.
The council’s headquarters will be in Damascus, while another office is planned to be opened in Ankara.
Ishak, who is also a member of the Syrian National Council (SNC), said the council should not be seen as supporting one side in the Syrian conflict.
“The [Bashar] al-Assad regime is oppressive,” Ishak said. “We have no hesitation about the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule over the region; we are ready to support them. Along with this, we don’t want our council to be understood as a supporter of an opponent or a sided organization.
We will only convey our people’s democratic demands. Even though we support [the opposition], we are not for or against anyone. We will only fight for our people’s future.”
Importance of Istanbul
Declaring the council’s opening in Istanbul had great historic importance for its members, Ishak said. “A part of our people is still living here. Geographically, this is the closest location to Syria and the Anatolian territories where we have lived for thousands of years.”
Asked why the council plans to open an office in Turkey, Ishak said “Turkey is our neighbor, and also an example in terms of democracy, so we want to build good relations [with Turkey].” Although Syriac Christians have had painful experiences with Turkey in the past, they do not want to remain trapped in the past, he said.
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
A general view shows a damaged church in the neighbourhood of old Homs. REUTERS photo
A recently established council bringing together Syria’s Christian minority groups in Syria has no fear of a possible Muslim Brotherhood rule in the country, according to a prominent member.
“We want to live as equal citizens and with equal rights all over the Middle East, especially in Syria,” Bassam Ishak, leader of the Damascus-based Liberal Party, told the Hürriyet Daily News on behalf of the council after announcing the establishment of the “Syrian Syriac National Council” on Sept. 8.
Over 30 political parties, non-governmental organizations, and women’s organizations, including the European Syriac Union, the Syriac American Association and the Syriac Movement have joined together to form the council.
The council’s headquarters will be in Damascus, while another office is planned to be opened in Ankara.
Ishak, who is also a member of the Syrian National Council (SNC), said the council should not be seen as supporting one side in the Syrian conflict.
“The [Bashar] al-Assad regime is oppressive,” Ishak said. “We have no hesitation about the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule over the region; we are ready to support them. Along with this, we don’t want our council to be understood as a supporter of an opponent or a sided organization.
We will only convey our people’s democratic demands. Even though we support [the opposition], we are not for or against anyone. We will only fight for our people’s future.”
Importance of Istanbul
Declaring the council’s opening in Istanbul had great historic importance for its members, Ishak said. “A part of our people is still living here. Geographically, this is the closest location to Syria and the Anatolian territories where we have lived for thousands of years.”
Asked why the council plans to open an office in Turkey, Ishak said “Turkey is our neighbor, and also an example in terms of democracy, so we want to build good relations [with Turkey].” Although Syriac Christians have had painful experiences with Turkey in the past, they do not want to remain trapped in the past, he said.
Historical church to host 3rd divine liturgy
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Armenian Christians will go to the historic Surp Haç Church to pray today in celebration. AA photo
The historic Surp Haç (Holy Cross) Armenian Church-Museum, located on the eastern province of Van’s Akdamar Island, will hosti a religious ceremony for the third time with the Surp Haç (Holy Cross) liturgy on Sept. 9.
Along with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United States, people from Istanbul, Armenia and the diaspora are expected to attend the liturgy. Acting Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan will lead the ceremony on behalf of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey. The preparations for the ceremony have been continuing for the past month.
The historic church, which became a museum after being restored in 2007, was opened for a religious service for the first time in September 2010, when the Turkish government permitted Armenians to organize a religious ceremony in the church once a year.
Last year’s divine liturgy attracted fewer worshipers due to tensions between Turkey, Armenia and the diaspora over the lack of a cross atop Sur Haç.
The cross, which was made by Armenian craftsmen and delivered to Turkey’s Armenian Patriarchate two years ago, was placed on top of the church dome with the approval of Turkey’s Culture Ministry just after the liturgy last year.
September/08/2012
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Armenian Christians will go to the historic Surp Haç Church to pray today in celebration. AA photo
The historic Surp Haç (Holy Cross) Armenian Church-Museum, located on the eastern province of Van’s Akdamar Island, will hosti a religious ceremony for the third time with the Surp Haç (Holy Cross) liturgy on Sept. 9.
Along with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United States, people from Istanbul, Armenia and the diaspora are expected to attend the liturgy. Acting Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan will lead the ceremony on behalf of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey. The preparations for the ceremony have been continuing for the past month.
The historic church, which became a museum after being restored in 2007, was opened for a religious service for the first time in September 2010, when the Turkish government permitted Armenians to organize a religious ceremony in the church once a year.
Last year’s divine liturgy attracted fewer worshipers due to tensions between Turkey, Armenia and the diaspora over the lack of a cross atop Sur Haç.
The cross, which was made by Armenian craftsmen and delivered to Turkey’s Armenian Patriarchate two years ago, was placed on top of the church dome with the approval of Turkey’s Culture Ministry just after the liturgy last year.
September/08/2012
10 Eylül 2012 Pazartesi
Journalists tried in fresh wave of KCK case today
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News-Vercihan Ziflioğlu
As the third indictment involving several journalists in Kurdistan Communities Union case starts to be seen today, suspects and lawyers of the case complain about decreasing public interest in the hearings
Prominent publisher Ragıp Zarakolu is on his way to visit his son Deniz Zarakolu, who has been under arrest for about a year as part of the same case in Silivri Prison.
As an Istanbul court starts hearing the third indictment in the ongoing Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) case today in which 44 suspects, including a number of journalists, are being tried, many are complaining about the decreasing public interest in the case.
Some 44 suspects, 36 of them arrested pending trial, are currently facing charges in the 800-page indictment that was unanimously accepted by the court in May 2012. The suspects are charged with leading a terrorist organization, being a member of a terrorist organization, and being a member of the press committee of a terrorist organization. The suspects include daily Vatan reporter Çağdaş Ulus and daily Birgün reporter Zeynep Kuray.
Publisher, author and human rights activist Ragıp Zarakolu, who was released pending trial within the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) case in April, has complained about the decreasing public interest in the case, after the release of the most prominent figures.
Visit to Silivri prison
On Sept. 5, Ragıp Zarakolu visited his son Deniz Zarakolu, who has been under arrest for about a year as part of the same case, in Silivri No: 2 F-type prison. After their meeting, which lasted for two hours, Ragıp Zarakolu spoke to the Hürriyet Daily News. He stated that he had been arrested for a speech he made at a conference four years ago, while his son was arrested due to courses he had given at the Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) politics academy.
“I am not a militant and did not raise my son as a militant. My son was giving courses to a legal party that was supposed to be under the safeguard of the Republic of Turkey. If this party is illegal, then I would like to ask if the state laid a trap for us.” Zarakolu said, adding that after he and Prof. Büşra Ersanlı were released, public interest in the case began to wane.
“I feel like I was used. I think my arrest was a conspiracy. The state just wanted to give the impression that it had accepted its mistakes. This hurts me,” Zarakolu said.
Ragıp Zarakolu and 14 others were released on April 10 due to their time spent incarcerated since arrest and the state of the evidence. Professor Büşra Ersanlı and 15 other suspects in the KCK case were also released on July 13.Zarakolu said he had ended his protest of silence, which he had begun after his release on April 10, for his son.
Meanwhile, one of the lawyers in the case, Davut Erkan, said the indictment had no legal basis and that the journalists were being charged for reporting the stories of Kurdish people, daily Evrensel reported yesterday.
September/10/2012
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News-Vercihan Ziflioğlu
As the third indictment involving several journalists in Kurdistan Communities Union case starts to be seen today, suspects and lawyers of the case complain about decreasing public interest in the hearings
Prominent publisher Ragıp Zarakolu is on his way to visit his son Deniz Zarakolu, who has been under arrest for about a year as part of the same case in Silivri Prison.
As an Istanbul court starts hearing the third indictment in the ongoing Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) case today in which 44 suspects, including a number of journalists, are being tried, many are complaining about the decreasing public interest in the case.
Some 44 suspects, 36 of them arrested pending trial, are currently facing charges in the 800-page indictment that was unanimously accepted by the court in May 2012. The suspects are charged with leading a terrorist organization, being a member of a terrorist organization, and being a member of the press committee of a terrorist organization. The suspects include daily Vatan reporter Çağdaş Ulus and daily Birgün reporter Zeynep Kuray.
Publisher, author and human rights activist Ragıp Zarakolu, who was released pending trial within the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) case in April, has complained about the decreasing public interest in the case, after the release of the most prominent figures.
Visit to Silivri prison
On Sept. 5, Ragıp Zarakolu visited his son Deniz Zarakolu, who has been under arrest for about a year as part of the same case, in Silivri No: 2 F-type prison. After their meeting, which lasted for two hours, Ragıp Zarakolu spoke to the Hürriyet Daily News. He stated that he had been arrested for a speech he made at a conference four years ago, while his son was arrested due to courses he had given at the Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) politics academy.
“I am not a militant and did not raise my son as a militant. My son was giving courses to a legal party that was supposed to be under the safeguard of the Republic of Turkey. If this party is illegal, then I would like to ask if the state laid a trap for us.” Zarakolu said, adding that after he and Prof. Büşra Ersanlı were released, public interest in the case began to wane.
“I feel like I was used. I think my arrest was a conspiracy. The state just wanted to give the impression that it had accepted its mistakes. This hurts me,” Zarakolu said.
Ragıp Zarakolu and 14 others were released on April 10 due to their time spent incarcerated since arrest and the state of the evidence. Professor Büşra Ersanlı and 15 other suspects in the KCK case were also released on July 13.Zarakolu said he had ended his protest of silence, which he had begun after his release on April 10, for his son.
Meanwhile, one of the lawyers in the case, Davut Erkan, said the indictment had no legal basis and that the journalists were being charged for reporting the stories of Kurdish people, daily Evrensel reported yesterday.
September/10/2012
4 Eylül 2012 Salı
Piano melodies to echo at historic Armenian church
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Canadian pianist Raffi Bedrosyan will give a piano recital at Diyarbakır’s Surp (Holy) Iragos Armenian Church, which was reopened to worship last October.
Some 97 years after being closed, the historical Surp (Holy) Giragos Armenian Church in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır was reopened to worship last October. Now, the church will host a piano recital.
After also working hard in the restoration of the church himself, the Istanbul-born Canadian pianist Raffi Bedrosyan will perform in the concert. In an e-mail interview, Bedrosyan told the Hürriyet Daily News that the concert was “more significant to me than all my previous concerts in north America.”
“With this concert I want to show that this restored church is not only a silent monument, but an active, living center bringing people together for a peaceful future,” said Bedrosyan.
“Besides, the church will become a future religious and cultural center attracting Armenian pilgrims and tourists, enhancing dialogue between Armenians and people of Turkey.”
He said he was in continuous contact with quite a few liberal-minded people in Turkey, who share the same goal of a more democratized government, unafraid of facing past injustices.
First concert since 1915
“I am optimistic that the number of these people is increasing daily. I believe we need to increase opportunities for dialogue, cultural and academic interactions between Armenians and people of Turkey, especially for young people, so that the widespread discrimination and intolerance toward Armenians will be diminished in Turkey,” Bedrosyan said. “I am so excited for this concert.” “It will be the first concert by an Armenian since 1915. The Turkish word ‘çalmak’ has two meanings, ‘to steal,’ or ‘to play a musical instrument,” he added. “The first meaning of the word took place in this church in 1915, when Diyarbakır Governor Reşit, after massacring the entire Diyarbakir Armenian population, brought all the stolen valuable Armenian possessions to Surp Giragos Church, including several pianos.
Now 97 years later, I wish to implement the second meaning of the word, by giving this concert in the same church.”
During the concert Bedrosyan will play pieces from both Armenian and Western classical composers. Among the guests at the concert, there will be a group of 70 Armenians from the Diaspora, led by Archishop Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Diocese of the United States. Before the concert, the group will first take part in Van Akhtamar Island’s Surp Khac Church-Museum divine liturgy. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is also expected to attend the concert. The concert will take place on Sept. 10 and will be open to public.
September/04/2012
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Canadian pianist Raffi Bedrosyan will give a piano recital at Diyarbakır’s Surp (Holy) Iragos Armenian Church, which was reopened to worship last October.
Some 97 years after being closed, the historical Surp (Holy) Giragos Armenian Church in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır was reopened to worship last October. Now, the church will host a piano recital.
After also working hard in the restoration of the church himself, the Istanbul-born Canadian pianist Raffi Bedrosyan will perform in the concert. In an e-mail interview, Bedrosyan told the Hürriyet Daily News that the concert was “more significant to me than all my previous concerts in north America.”
“With this concert I want to show that this restored church is not only a silent monument, but an active, living center bringing people together for a peaceful future,” said Bedrosyan.
“Besides, the church will become a future religious and cultural center attracting Armenian pilgrims and tourists, enhancing dialogue between Armenians and people of Turkey.”
He said he was in continuous contact with quite a few liberal-minded people in Turkey, who share the same goal of a more democratized government, unafraid of facing past injustices.
First concert since 1915
“I am optimistic that the number of these people is increasing daily. I believe we need to increase opportunities for dialogue, cultural and academic interactions between Armenians and people of Turkey, especially for young people, so that the widespread discrimination and intolerance toward Armenians will be diminished in Turkey,” Bedrosyan said. “I am so excited for this concert.” “It will be the first concert by an Armenian since 1915. The Turkish word ‘çalmak’ has two meanings, ‘to steal,’ or ‘to play a musical instrument,” he added. “The first meaning of the word took place in this church in 1915, when Diyarbakır Governor Reşit, after massacring the entire Diyarbakir Armenian population, brought all the stolen valuable Armenian possessions to Surp Giragos Church, including several pianos.
Now 97 years later, I wish to implement the second meaning of the word, by giving this concert in the same church.”
During the concert Bedrosyan will play pieces from both Armenian and Western classical composers. Among the guests at the concert, there will be a group of 70 Armenians from the Diaspora, led by Archishop Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Diocese of the United States. Before the concert, the group will first take part in Van Akhtamar Island’s Surp Khac Church-Museum divine liturgy. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is also expected to attend the concert. The concert will take place on Sept. 10 and will be open to public.
September/04/2012
Syriacs seek buffer zone for Christians in Syria
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Stockholm-based Syriac Democratic Union demands from international authorities to immediately form a buffer zone for the security of Christians, just like they did during the Gulf War. The vice president says negotiations are ongoing
Syrian firefighters extinguish a fire following at the site of a car bomb that ripped through Jaramana, a mainly Christian and Druze suburb of Damascus.
A Syriac lobby is engaging itself in diplomatic traffic with the United States and the European Union in order to promote the idea of a buffer zone for the safety of Christians living in Syria. The Syriac Lobby, headed by the Stockholm-based Syriac Democratic Union (SDU), is also calling on Syriacs in the region to act sensibly, advising them not to interfere with ongoing incidents.
Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News, the SDU’s vice president Fikri Aygur said Christians in the region were in a struggle of life and death, adding that they demanded international authorities to immediately form a buffer zone for the security of Christians, just like they did during the Gulf War. He said their negotiations on the need for a buffer zone with the U.S. House of Representatives and the EU Parliament were ongoing.
“They are starting to abduct Christians in Syria. Christian villages are being evacuated by force, and armed groups are threatening the Christian population in the villages around the city of Homs. Murder cases have begun to be reported around Qamishli and Haseki,” Aygur said.
“If the necessary measures are not immediately taken, a great culture in the Middle East will be destroyed,” Aygur added, underlining that regional Christians were in urgent need of international assurance. A buffer zone was set up during the Gulf War in Iraq, when 1.5 million Iraqi Kurds escaping the attacks of the Saddam Hussein regime sought asylum on the Turkish and Iranian borders in 1991. The buffer zone started to be implemented with the prohibition of the flights on the north of 36th latitude, which is the Iraq border. The zone was then supported by an international military structure called “Poised Hammer,” consisting mostly of U.S. soldiers.
Call for Syriacs to stay calm
The SDU also issued a declaration entitled: “To our people and the world community,” on Sept. 1, and sent it to the U.S. House of Representatives and the EU Parliament.
The declaration condemns the members of the “Syriac Union Party in Syria,” who broke into the Syrian Embassy in Sweden on Aug. 14. The declaration also calls on the Christians in the region to stay calm, underlining that such demonstrations were against the character of the Syriac people. “Syria is the homeland of the Syriac people. The Syrian government opened its doors to the Syriacs who fled from the genocide in Turkey in 1915, and to the Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarchate that was exiled by Turkey at the beginning of the 1930s. As the Syriac Democratic Union (SDU), we do not support the anti-democratic policies of the Baath Party in Syria, however, we are very concerned about the imminent dangers awaiting our people as a result of regime change that would take place by force,” the declaration read.
It also addressed the United Nations and other international authorities to provide protection for Christians, emphasizing that they were under threat in the region.
“The incidents in Syria are like a fireball which the Syriacs should avoid. All regimes might come and go; however, Syria is the homeland of the Syriacs. And this war is not ours,” Aygur said, commenting on the notice.
September/04/2012
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Stockholm-based Syriac Democratic Union demands from international authorities to immediately form a buffer zone for the security of Christians, just like they did during the Gulf War. The vice president says negotiations are ongoing
Syrian firefighters extinguish a fire following at the site of a car bomb that ripped through Jaramana, a mainly Christian and Druze suburb of Damascus.
A Syriac lobby is engaging itself in diplomatic traffic with the United States and the European Union in order to promote the idea of a buffer zone for the safety of Christians living in Syria. The Syriac Lobby, headed by the Stockholm-based Syriac Democratic Union (SDU), is also calling on Syriacs in the region to act sensibly, advising them not to interfere with ongoing incidents.
Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News, the SDU’s vice president Fikri Aygur said Christians in the region were in a struggle of life and death, adding that they demanded international authorities to immediately form a buffer zone for the security of Christians, just like they did during the Gulf War. He said their negotiations on the need for a buffer zone with the U.S. House of Representatives and the EU Parliament were ongoing.
“They are starting to abduct Christians in Syria. Christian villages are being evacuated by force, and armed groups are threatening the Christian population in the villages around the city of Homs. Murder cases have begun to be reported around Qamishli and Haseki,” Aygur said.
“If the necessary measures are not immediately taken, a great culture in the Middle East will be destroyed,” Aygur added, underlining that regional Christians were in urgent need of international assurance. A buffer zone was set up during the Gulf War in Iraq, when 1.5 million Iraqi Kurds escaping the attacks of the Saddam Hussein regime sought asylum on the Turkish and Iranian borders in 1991. The buffer zone started to be implemented with the prohibition of the flights on the north of 36th latitude, which is the Iraq border. The zone was then supported by an international military structure called “Poised Hammer,” consisting mostly of U.S. soldiers.
Call for Syriacs to stay calm
The SDU also issued a declaration entitled: “To our people and the world community,” on Sept. 1, and sent it to the U.S. House of Representatives and the EU Parliament.
The declaration condemns the members of the “Syriac Union Party in Syria,” who broke into the Syrian Embassy in Sweden on Aug. 14. The declaration also calls on the Christians in the region to stay calm, underlining that such demonstrations were against the character of the Syriac people. “Syria is the homeland of the Syriac people. The Syrian government opened its doors to the Syriacs who fled from the genocide in Turkey in 1915, and to the Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarchate that was exiled by Turkey at the beginning of the 1930s. As the Syriac Democratic Union (SDU), we do not support the anti-democratic policies of the Baath Party in Syria, however, we are very concerned about the imminent dangers awaiting our people as a result of regime change that would take place by force,” the declaration read.
It also addressed the United Nations and other international authorities to provide protection for Christians, emphasizing that they were under threat in the region.
“The incidents in Syria are like a fireball which the Syriacs should avoid. All regimes might come and go; however, Syria is the homeland of the Syriacs. And this war is not ours,” Aygur said, commenting on the notice.
September/04/2012
2 Eylül 2012 Pazar
Zirve trial judges lose their post
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Two judges and two prosecutors presiding over the Malatya Zirve publishing house massacre case have been removed from duty two days before one of the most critical hearings in the case on Sept. 3.
In the last hearing, the connection between the Zirve Publishing House Massacre and Ergenekon case was revealed. Gen. Hurşit Tolon, who has been charged as part of the Ergenekon probe, is set to appear before the judge on Sept. 3.
Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News, one of the lawyers in the case, Erdal Doğan, said the dismissal of judges and prosecutors had caused a great surprise and would affect the process in a negative way.
“They were following the case in detail for five years and had important knowledge about it. Their dismissal provokes some thoughts. I have concerns for the proceedings of the case,” Doğan said.
Three missionaries, German citizen Tillman Geske and two Turks, Necati Aydın and Uğur Yüksel, were tied up and tortured before having their throats slit at the Zirve Publishing House in 2007.
September/01/2012
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News/Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Two judges and two prosecutors presiding over the Malatya Zirve publishing house massacre case have been removed from duty two days before one of the most critical hearings in the case on Sept. 3.
In the last hearing, the connection between the Zirve Publishing House Massacre and Ergenekon case was revealed. Gen. Hurşit Tolon, who has been charged as part of the Ergenekon probe, is set to appear before the judge on Sept. 3.
Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News, one of the lawyers in the case, Erdal Doğan, said the dismissal of judges and prosecutors had caused a great surprise and would affect the process in a negative way.
“They were following the case in detail for five years and had important knowledge about it. Their dismissal provokes some thoughts. I have concerns for the proceedings of the case,” Doğan said.
Three missionaries, German citizen Tillman Geske and two Turks, Necati Aydın and Uğur Yüksel, were tied up and tortured before having their throats slit at the Zirve Publishing House in 2007.
September/01/2012
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