14 September 2001, Copyright © Turkish Daily News
Linkage to Islam rejected
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 tourist passes away
- 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: Attack actually against peace and humanity
- 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
Success against Hizbullah in Gaziantep
- 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
HADEP is not satisfied with the amendment draft
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
Saadet condemns those that foster terrorism
- 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
Ocalan says he has no intention to challenge the state
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
Prosecutors move in on Albayraklar Group
- 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
Saadet Party names its members to Constitutional Commission
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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