After the terrorist attack in the United States, certain immediate
efforts to link this terrorist act to Islamic groups in particular, and to
Islam in general has been rejected and condemned by academicians,
intellectuals and politicians.
Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, chairman of the Religious Works Directorate (DIB)
stated that acts of terror are rejected and prohibited by all the divine
religions. In his press statement made to condemn the terrorist attack in
the United States, Yilmaz claimed yesterday that no rational believer of
any religion could participate in acts of terror and violence.
The DIB chairman related that the word Islam means peace and tolerance,
and it absolutely prohibits terrorist and violent acts. Apart from Islam,
Yilmaz said, it is impossible to link this attack to humanity. Yilmaz
added that it would be wrong to relate terror with religion, and terror
cannot be classified according to the religion.
Karliga: 'Jihad' misinterpreted
Bekir Karliga, professor of theology at Marmara University told the
Turkish Daily News that Islam's code of war provides measures so as not to
harm civilians. Commenting on the current sporadic attacks against members
of the Muslim community, Karliga noted the prejudice against Islam.
Professor Karliga said that the misinterpretation of the concept of
jihad is one of the key factors that presents Islam as a violent religion.
Karliga told the TDN that jihad has two meanings in Islam. He said the
first is the most common one in basic resources which uses the word to
mean spending the most effort for "individual self-realization," It also
means calling on humanity to do good. Karliga added, however, throughout
history, jihad gained the meaning of "war" and related that only two of
the 25 verses in the Koran mentioning "jihad" actually mean war.
Karliga said that orientalism and colonialism are responsible for not
only the Western misinterpretation of the concept of jihad but also the
common prejudice against Islam in general. Professor Karliga called on the
Muslims in the United States to keep calm and understand the psychology
and share the feelings of the American community. Karliga also
congratulated the prime minister's statement the day before, saying that
Turkey should
follow this policy of balance.
Baykal: Clash of civilizations should be avoided
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal stated that the
most serious danger ahead is the wrong description of terror. Baykal said:
"It would be wrong to turn the concept of terror into a clash of
civilizations or religions. To define this terrorist act as a war of
religions would be an extraordinary mistake. Therefore everybody should
keep away from this understanding. It is mostly our duty to tell this to
the world. This terror is not a religious terror, not an Islamic terror in
particular."
Yeni Safak columnist Ahmet Tasgetiren related the words of Khalifat
Ebubekir, who told his commander during the war "not to touch children,
women, trees and the apostles." In yesterday's article, Tasgetiren also
stated that there is sensitivity in Islam's code of war so as not to harm
civilians. Therefore, Tasgetiren added, the link of all the acts in which
innocent people die to Islam should be considered with great precaution.
Israeli writer warns about prejudice
Meanwhile, Israeli writer Amos Oz, who is a famous "dove" in Israel,
warned his readers on the ever increasing anti-Arab and anti-Islam
attitude. In his article in Israeli Yediot Ahronot daily, Oz noted the
blind hate against the Muslims and Arabs, and said even if some Muslims
and Arabs are responsible for the act, a great majority of the Muslims and
Arabs are not accomplices. Oz said, "To see Islam and Arabs as 'the Great
Satan' is fanaticism, racism and the greatest malignancy." Oz also noted
that this hatred is exactly what the terrorists want.
Ankara - Turkish Daily News
- Australian Amanda Rigg, who was seriously wounded in
the suicide bomb attack in Taksim, passes away
Hasan Altinisik
The death toll in the suicide bomb attack by terrorist Ugur Bulbul on
the riot police outpost in Taksim rose to four. Australian Amanda Rigg,
23, who was seriously wounded in the attack, lost her life.
Ms. Rigg's Turkish adventure, which ended in tragedy, started when she
got to know a young Turkish man Murat Canpolat in Sultanahmet square. The
two young people, who decided to marry, got engaged. Amanda, who was
getting ready to marry Murat, began to attend a Turkish language course.
She was on her way to class when the bombing took place, and while
crossing Gumussuyu, she became the victim of a terrorist attack. The bomb,
which was exploded by Bulbul, caused serious injury to her left arm, liver
and a large part of her face. Rigg was taken to the Taksim Research and
Education Hospital by security forces, but did not respond to the medical
treatment and lost vital functions. Doctors stated that she had little
chance of survival.
Rigg lost her life Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. Canpolat, who was
shaken by the death of his fiancee, said: "She loved Turkey very much. We
would have gotten married in three months."
After an investigation by the Beyoglu Public Prosecutor's Office,
Rigg's body was brought to forensic medicine institute for an autopsy.
Australian Consulate officials will send Amanda's body to Australia after
the autopsy.
Istanbul - Turkish Daily News
- Ecevit: I cannot conceive that
another state would do such a thing against the United States
Prime Minister spoke on Wednesday night on TRT 2 on a
program called "Dosya" and said he could not conceive that any other state
could have carried out the terrorist attack on the United States on
Tuesday, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Noting that Turkey
and the rest of the world would now experience a few hardships, Ecevit
said: "There is no reason for the people to panic at this stage. There is
no possibility of any friction that could spread to this region. No
evidence of this."
Noting that some circles had been pointing the finger
at the Middle East, Ecevit said: "The United States has declared war, but
it is not yet clear who it is going to fight. The target is unknown..."
Speaking about the uncertainties that surrounded everything, Ecevit then
said: "This was probaly the most terrifying incident in the history of
mankind. It looked like it was aimed at the United States, but it was in
fact like a declaration of war against peace, humanity and the entire
world."
On the subject of prevention of terrorism, Ecevit said
new strategies had to be drawn up by all nations that rejected terrorism.
He said solidarity between all countries opposed to terrorism was
extremely important. "We have always had solidarity with the United States
against terrorism. However, some of our European allies have not shown any
sympathy towards the separatist terrorism that has plagued us for many
long years. This lack of sympathy still exists now. We know that some of
the terrorist incidents carried out in Turkey were planned in the
countries of our allies, and most likely those countries' intelligence
services are aware of this as well. We sincerely hope that in the wake of
this incident in America those European countries that have not treated us
well will now be more understanding," he added. He later said that some EU
countries had been supporting the terrorism in Turkey while banning the
sale of weapons to Turkey.
When told that in America people were pointing the
finger at radical Islamisc groups and asked whether there could be a
religious bloc forming, Ecevit replied he sincerely did not hope so. He
said it was wrong to differentiate terrorism as Muslim, Christian or
Jewish. "All terrorism is evil to the same degree. It is against
humanity."
Ecevit also said those who supported terrorism were
sharing in the sin of crimes against humanity. "We have to find out where
this latest incident originated from," he said, which led on to the topic
of intelligence services and dialogue between Turkey's National
Intelligence Organization (MIT) and those of other countries. "MIT is well
trusted abroad. There is effective solidarity between us and the United
States in intelligence matters," he added.
Prime Minister Ecevit also noted he did not believe
the attacks would adversely affect the economic program and that it had
already been seen that the incident had not badly affected Turkey's
economy.
Ankara - Turkish Daily News
- Police capture five people, solve nine abductions,
woundings and murders
Anti-terrorist police in Gaziantep have captured five
Hizbullah terrorists including the so-called military wing commander for
the Kiziltepe-Mazidag-Derik region, the Anatolia news agency reported
yesterday. Briefing journalists yesterday, Gaziantep Chief of Police Ali
Kalkan said the operation had been called "Kayaonu" (Rock Face) and had
resulted in the capture of people known either to be in the organization's
military wing or to have aided and abetted Hizbullah terrorists. The
operation had involved identifying the suspects, working out their
movements and then moving in to detain them and seize their weapons. It
had lasted six days, said Kalkan.
Hizbullah's so-called commander for the
Kiziltepe-Mazidagi-Derik region Aydin Dagli was caught along with four
others. Dagli had been ordered by Hizbullah leader Huseyin Velioglu (who
was killed by police in Istanbul) to study law and be the organization's
lawyer. However, Dagli failed to complete the course.
A search of the detained men's houses revealed four
Kalashnikov assault rifles, an MP-5 automatic pistol, four Makarov
pistols, ammunition for these weapons, eight forged identity cards and DM
500 plus two cellular phones.
Kalkan said the suspects had been involved in the
malicious wounding of Adnan Celik in 1992 and of a man called Ibrahim in
1993. Also in the abduction and interrogation of a man called Abdulkadir
in 1995 and the abduction and interrogation of a Kurdistan Workers Party
(PKK) separatist terrorist in 1995. The suspects further abducted and
killed Abdulbaki Evirgen in 1998 and did the same to Abdulkadir Ay in
1999.
Ankara - Turkish Daily News
People's Democracy Party (HADEP) expresses
dissatisfaction with the Constitutional Amendment draft, which is to be
the first topic on Parliament's agenda next monday.
HADEP Vice-President Naci Kutlay made a press
statement on the Amendment, stating that the foreseen amendments are far
from the requirement of the urgent democratic needs of the society.
In the statement, Kutlay noted that the Amendments to
Article 26 and 28, which have been presented as revolutionary changes,
only introduce some facilities for the use of languages other than
Turkish. Kutlay also claimed that the Amendment will not provide easiness
for the establishment of institutions that helps other languages to
flourish.
Naci Kutlay stated that the alteration of the concept
"thought" to "action" in Article 14 is likely to be a relative
development, for the "thought" and "action" has always been mentioned
together in judiciary practices.
Kutlay also challenged the Constitution, even with its
"new look," claiming it is far from requiring the social, cultural,
political and economic dynamics of society. Furthermore, the
democratization and freedom of thought should be brought up to
international standards, Kutlay claimed.
HADEP Vice-President also said that it is not
realistic to call the Constitutional Amendment proposals as,
"Constitutional Reform," and added there is a great opportunity to
re-prepare the whole Constitution by totally modernizing it.
Kutlay requested the new Constitution to consider
Article 9, 10 and 11 of the European Human Rights Convention, which
regulate freedom of thought and religion, freedom of expressing opinion,
and freedom of organization, respectively. HADEP Vice President also
mentioned the Copenhagen Criteria as another international convention to
be fully adopted in the new Constitution.
Ankara - Turkish Daily News
- Hatipoglu: It is a
moral and obligatory necessity for those who create and use puppet
terrorist groups for their imperialist ends to now sit and look at what
they are doing
Opposition Saadet (Happiness and Contentment) Party
group deputy leader Omer Vehbi Hatipoglu in a written statement concerning
Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the Unite States said, "It is a moral and
obligatory necessity for those who create puppet terrorist groups and then
nurture them in order to further their imperialist aims to now sit down
and evaluate the situation," the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday.
Hatipoglu said no pretext could ever legitimize the massacre and that
every person with their wits about them should condemn terrorism and
violence against innocent people.
Referring to Turkey's 15-year long conflict against
Kurdish separatist terrorists, Hatipoglu said that Turkey new the pain of
losing thousands of loved ones to terrorism better than anyone else and
that they shared the anguish of the Americans will all their hearts. After
saying that all those who nurtured terrorism to attain their imperialist
ends should now sit and reassess things, Hatipoglu said, "Once they have
done this, it will probably be necessary for certain people to come and
apologize to Turkey."
Hatipoglu went on to say, "However, the fight against
the terrorist and terrorism should not be perceived as responding to one
massacre with another; it should be directed only at the terrorists and
terrorism centers." He said it would be folly for the arms industry in the
United States to see Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East as targets.
"It should not be forgotten that any shooting war in this area will be of
immediate relevance to and will affect Turkey," he concluded.
Ankara - Turkish Daily News
PKK leader
states that he didn't participate in any of the PKK attacks, but accepts
responsibility since he was heading the terror organization
Imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan in his testimony presented to Ankara Court
No. 8 said that he and the PKK were not aiming to challenge the
constitutional order of the state and forming a new system and rejected
being called separatist.
Previously, Ocalan was sentenced to death by the
Ankara State Security Court (DGM) on charges of treason. Ocalan is being
held at the Imrali prison island where he is the only inmate. More than
30,000 people lost their lives in the conflict between his PKK and
security forces.
Ocalan sent his testimony to the court where he is
presently being tried for PKK terrorist activities in the Southeast; a
death sentence has been demanded for these activities.
"I didn't kill anyone directly, I didn't steal. Scores
of crimes were committed without my order. I was sometimes involved in
conflicts with the PKK," Ocalan claimed.
"But, as I was the one who formed and ruled the
organization, I accept responsibility for the attacks," he said.
Ocalan is the most hated man in Turkey because of the
violent activities of the PKK. Among his nicknames are "baby-killer" and
"head separatist."
Ankara - Turkish Daily News
- DGM give go ahead for organized
crime police to move in on companies in the Albayraklar Group
Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) Chief Public
Prosecution Service has given the go-ahead for organized crime police to
move in on those companies in the Albayraklar Group that had been awarded
tenders by Istanbul Greater City Municipality for the construction of the
subway and other transport and building projects, the Anatolia news agency
reported yesterday. While police raided the companies in question, those
companies' executives were all taken into custody for questioning.
Among the 13 executives taken into custody yesterday
was chairman of the board for Albayraklar A.S. Mustafa Albayrak. The
suspects are wanted on suspicion of "forming a criminal gang" and "rigging
state tenders".
Meanwhile, Justice and Development Party (AK
Party/AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who used to be the mayor of
Istanbul, said that if necessary he would make a statement regarding the
operation against the Albayraklar Group. When asked by reporters while
receiving both Russian ambassador Alexandr Lebedev and Lithuanian
ambassador Halina Kopeckaite, Erdogan said it be wrong to comment while in
the presence of foreign ambassadors.
Ankara - Turkish Daily News
AKP will also name its members at the Commission on Monday
The seats of the defunct Virtue Party (FP) at the Constitution
Commission will be replaced by members from the two parties formed from
the ashes of the FP; Recai Kutan's Saadet (happiness or contentment) Party
(SP) and Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Saadet named its members to the commission on Thursday. Kahramanmaras
Deputy Mustafa Kamalak and Trabzon Deputy Seref Malkoc will represent the
SP at the Constitution Commission.
It is accepted that the AKP will name its two members to the Commission
on Sept. 17, the date Parliament begins debating the amendments of 37
articles of the Turkish Constitution.
Ankara - Turkish Daily News
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