Month: January 2009

DALOGLU: Hamas and Turkey

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/07/hamas-and-turkey/

Ankara tips Mideast scales

Tulin Daloglu
Wednesday, January 7, 2009

OP-ED:

Israel‘s operation into Gaza has brought disunity in both Europe and the Arab world. Even in this electrified environment, however, each country has its reasons and differences as to how it relates and plays its role in this conflict. And every decision has consequences. For that matter, here is a look into how Turkey plays its role.

Turkey is reacting to the developments as an interested neighbor in the region with ambitions to lead in the Muslim Middle East. Under the leadership of the Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkey has developed relationships in the region, become a candidate for full European Union membership, and is a strategic partner to the United States. Also, Ankara and Washington agreed on a strategic vision document in July 2006. In part, the agreement stated that “Turkey and the United States pledge themselves to work together … supporting international efforts toward a permanent settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including … two-state solution.” At the time, I wrote the “shared vision document will be seen as part of an agreement between the United States and the AKP, which is likely to fuel the perception among Turks that Washington is backing the Islamists.” I also said “the debate in Turkey will focus on the document’s impact on domestic politics, not bilateral relationship.”

As skeptical as I am of the AKP’s vision, which leans toward making the country a more Islamic one, Turkey has much to offer to regional peace and stability. But for that to happen, its leadership must be able to keep a balanced approach toward both its Muslim allies and its U.S. and European ones.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his party have lost an enormous opportunity over the last week. Mr. Erdogan has been hammering Israeli actions as a “crime against humanity,” and “disrespect to Turkey”; his fellow party members have called Israel “leading provocateur of global terror,” nearly shutting down the inter-parliamentary Israeli-Turkish friendship group in protest. They have almost completely ignored Hamas‘ daily rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians. They chose silence where Israel was blamed to wage a war on Muslims. In fact, Mr. Erdogan believes Allah will punish Israel.

Simply, Turkish leadership lost the balance in rhetoric and in action that Ankara has worked for many years to achieve. Mr. Erdogan met with the leaders of Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia – excluding Israel. His chief adviser, Ahmet Davudoglu, also met with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshal. The speakers of the Turkish and Iranian parliaments held at least three telephone conversations in one week. But Turkish leadership had no such conversations with Washington.

While Turkey has officially taken its U.N. Security Council non-permanent member seat, Mr. Erdogan said, “We can deliver Hamas’ demands and conditions for a ceasefire to the U.N. Security Council, because Hamas has lost its trust to the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. They, however, have full trust in Turkey.” The point is, Turkey’s lack of coordination with the U.S. and Israel brings it no leverage to broker any kind of agreement in the region. “There is no Turkish mediation in this regard,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu-al-Ghayt said on Egyptian TV Saturday. Nonetheless, Mr. Erdogan went to the Middle East with a two-step plan calling for an immediate cease-fire and unity among Palestinian leaders. It’s fair to say that Ankara’s efforts failed. Solutions are easy to discuss but difficult to accomplish in the Middle East – and Ankara should have taken that into account.

So how does Mr. Erdogan’s latest stand serve Turkey’s national interests? U.S. sources, who ask to remain anonymous, believe that Turkey will face enormous challenges in the near future.

First, there is an understanding that “its leaders are playing a dangerous game.” Turkey’s effort in trying to mediate a peace between Israel and Syria is a different issue. But Hamas is an existential matter for Israel. Today, Egypt is more worried about Hamas than Turkey. Turkey chose a side. Turks have presented the Armenian genocide issue as an existential matter for them, as well. Israel and the Jewish lobby have supported Turkey’s efforts to defeat the numerous Armenian genocide resolutions that have been brought up in Congress over the last 30 years.

But after this recent episode, they may not be so eager to support Turkey’s efforts opposing the next resolution. In addition, although some EU countries are sending conflicting messages about Israel’s actions, Hamas is still seen as a terrorist organization. It could mean trouble for a country aspiring to join the EU to be seen as an ally of a group the EU sees as terrorists.

As these conflicts go on and these issues evolve, it’s crucial for everyone to think about how Turkey’s identity is transforming. Fatih Altayli, executive editor of Haberturk, argues that Mr. Erdogan has adopted harsh rhetoric on this matter to please his base (mahalle). But Turks must ask how big that base is. Evidently, pictures are radicalizing people in Turkey. If that is the case, if this conflict turns ordinary Turks away from a Western orientation, the repercussions will be felt in Tel Aviv, Europe and Washington.

Tulin Daloglu is a free-lance writer.

January 8, 2009
UN security council debates Gaza – VIDEO

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2009/jan/07/un-security-council

The UN security council meets in New York following the deaths of 40 people in attacks on two schools

January 7, 2009
Hamas and Turkey, Ankara Tips Mideast Scales,

Tulin Daloglu, January 7, 2009

Palestinian firefighters work Thursday at Hamas leader Nizar Rayan’s bombed home in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. Britain’s Guardian newspaper praised him in an obituary, earning the rebuke of a Weekly Standard blogger.

Israel’s operation into Gaza has brought disunity in both Europe and the Arab world. Even in this electrified environment, however, each country has its reasons and differences as to how it relates and plays its role in this conflict. And every decision has consequences. For that matter, here is a look into how Turkey plays its role.

Turkey is reacting to the developments as an interested neighbor in the region with ambitions to lead in the Muslim Middle East. Under the leadership of the Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkey has developed relationships in the region, become a candidate for full European Union membership, and is a strategic partner to the United States. Also, Ankara and Washington agreed on a strategic vision document in July 2006. In part, the agreement stated that “Turkey and the United States pledge themselves to work together … supporting international efforts toward a permanent settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including … two-state solution.” At the time, I wrote the “shared vision document will be seen as part of an agreement between the United States and the AKP, which is likely to fuel the perception among Turks that Washington is backing the Islamists.” I also said “the debate in Turkey will focus on the document’s impact on domestic politics, not bilateral relationship.”

As skeptical as I am of the AKP’s vision, which leans toward making the country a more Islamic one, Turkey has much to offer to regional peace and stability. But for that to happen, its leadership must be able to keep a balanced approach toward both its Muslim allies and its U.S. and European ones.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his party have lost an enormous opportunity over the last week. Mr. Erdogan has been hammering Israeli actions as a “crime against humanity,” and “disrespect to Turkey”; his fellow party members have called Israel “leading provocateur of global terror,” nearly shutting down the inter-parliamentary Israeli-Turkish friendship group in protest. They have almost completely ignored Hamas’ daily rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians. They chose silence where Israel was blamed to wage a war on Muslims. In fact, Mr. Erdogan believes Allah will punish Israel.

Simply, Turkish leadership lost the balance in rhetoric and in action that Ankara has worked for many years to achieve. Mr. Erdogan met with the leaders of Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia – excluding Israel. His chief adviser, Ahmet Davudoglu, also met with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshal. The speakers of the Turkish and Iranian parliaments held at least three telephone conversations in one week. But Turkish leadership had no such conversations with Washington.

While Turkey has officially taken its U.N. Security Council non-permanent member seat, Mr. Erdogan said, “We can deliver Hamas’ demands and conditions for a ceasefire to the U.N. Security Council, because Hamas has lost its trust to the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. They, however, have full trust in Turkey.” The point is, Turkey’s lack of coordination with the U.S. and Israel brings it no leverage to broker any kind of agreement in the region. “There is no Turkish mediation in this regard,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu-al-Ghayt said on Egyptian TV Saturday. Nonetheless, Mr. Erdogan went to the Middle East with a two-step plan calling for an immediate cease-fire and unity among Palestinian leaders. It’s fair to say that Ankara’s efforts failed. Solutions are easy to discuss but difficult to accomplish in the Middle East – and Ankara should have taken that into account.

So how does Mr. Erdogan’s latest stand serve Turkey’s national interests? U.S. sources, who ask to remain anonymous, believe that Turkey will face enormous challenges in the near future.

First, there is an understanding that “its leaders are playing a dangerous game.” Turkey’s effort in trying to mediate a peace between Israel and Syria is a different issue. But Hamas is an existential matter for Israel. Today, Egypt is more worried about Hamas than Turkey. Turkey chose a side. Turks have presented the Armenian genocide issue as an existential matter for them, as well. Israel and the Jewish lobby have supported Turkey’s efforts to defeat the numerous Armenian genocide resolutions that have been brought up in Congress over the last 30 years.

But after this recent episode, they may not be so eager to support Turkey’s efforts opposing the next resolution. In addition, although some EU countries are sending conflicting messages about Israel’s actions, Hamas is still seen as a terrorist organization. It could mean trouble for a country aspiring to join the EU to be seen as an ally of a group the EU sees as terrorists.

As these conflicts go on and these issues evolve, it’s crucial for everyone to think about how Turkey’s identity is transforming. Fatih Altayli, executive editor of Haberturk, argues that Mr. Erdogan has adopted harsh rhetoric on this matter to please his base (mahalle). But Turks must ask how big that base is. Evidently, pictures are radicalizing people in Turkey. If that is the case, if this conflict turns ordinary Turks away from a Western orientation, the repercussions will be felt in Tel Aviv, Europe and Washington.

Tulin Daloglu is a free-lance writer.
washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/07/hamas-and-turkey/
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times

January 7, 2009
MAKING AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES AFFORDABLE -2-

My last LETTER titled “Making American Universities Affordable” stirred a great deal of interest. I received four good comments. Because I want this subject better thought and researched, I decided to publish them in this issue, together with my responses.

Dear Orhan,

Sorry for the delay in responding to this important essay. The most hurtful aspect of what you write is that you are absolutely correct in your assessment but no hope for the solution you suggest.

Except for the middle class (not the middle earners that have been improperly identified as middle class) who understand the importance of schooling at all levels, our country is woefully deficient in educational issues. The day this country allowed REMEDIAL READNG at the college level (30 years ago) I understood that we had dangerously downsized educational standards to accommodate minorities. That did not help minorities who for the next thirty years failed by 50 % to take real advantage (or graduate) from institutions of higher learning.

Then there is the daily deluge of empty rhetoric sent over the TV airways and published in popular magazines: celebrity information that in no way fosters learning. Consumerism became the God of our country and now we are facing the consequences of second rate leadership, mindless greed and careless citizenry. Perhaps the new economic reality will force even the empty heads to take other paths than that of the department store, inane concerts posing as art and all the other endeavors they have substituted for living in purposeful life. Immediate gratification, day-to-day fulfillment like children in a candy store has exposed dire consequences at all levels, from those whose jobs are lost to the millionaires who thought Mr.Madoff was Jesus of Wall Street. Enough ranting. Thank you for writing. Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year.

Joan Salemi

Good Morning Orhan,

Two thoughts as I read your letter, first, in my mind, the current problem in U.S. Education begins before high school. The education process seems to have degenerated into a “day care” system, with kids being put into ”Pre kindergarten” as soon as they are out of diapers. Young people are passed along grade to grade, and enter high school without being able to read adequately, have little or no math skills and virtually no knowledge of the country or the world they live in.

As you point out, the college/university system may be the make-up for high school today; I would submit that high school has become the make up for elementary school.

Second, as a product of the Depression, I always heard at home that not everyone was supposed to, nor necessarily entitled to, go to college. A lot had to do with money. Not everyone could afford to go. It was not a frivolous follow-on to high school but serious preparation for professional career fields

Colleges today are nothing to be admired, they are just another profit-making enterprise.

Robert Dickie.

Orhan bey;

Thank you. Excellent. This article reflects also many of my thoughts. I have found only very few books and articles on the subject, but not as powerful as yours. Unfortunately the government will continue to pride itself with improving the school buildings, student populations in classes, and all other peripheral issues, it will never address the main issue of course contents, claiming that it is a matter for the local education board and for teachers.

Universities also would refuse to change claiming that their last 200 years of experience proves that they are doing the right thing, like the auto industry. Success makes them arrogant to accept that there may be better methods of doing things, especially after 200 years.

Metin Camcigil.

You are making an assumption about professors and colleges. Professors seek positions in American universities to do research, not to teach. American universities hire and (more importantly) retain/promote professors who are able to bring in research grants or recognition to the university. Teaching is a wonderful

Side-benefit for those who are lucky to be able to afford tuitions to these schools.

Which brings me to sports. I’ll announce my bias up front. I am a big sports fan. College athletes are divided into three categories:

1. Men’s college football

2. Men’s college basketball

3. Everything else

#1 and #2 are massive revenue streams for universities. #3 is not. However, the number of scholarships awarded to athletes is something to also consider. In many cases the students receiving scholarships would never be able to otherwise afford tuition or have grades strong enough to earn academic scholarships.

K. Hayri Tarhan, Jr.

W R I T E R’ S R E S P O N S E S

I thank all my four readers for their comments. Joan Salemi’s complaints about the weakening educational level in this country are of course very true. They are a part of the greater picture in education. However, I had chosen a narrower subject :How to cut costs in higher education to make it affordable. From that narrower view point I did answer the question. I suggested several means of cutting costs that would actually make the colleges affordable. However, as Joan Salemi points out, I did not attempt to answer the “greater picture”.

Bob Dickie’s contention that the problem of Education starts before high school is absolutely correct. Bob

January 7, 2009
Kurmandji Leader Apologizes to Aramaeans, Armenians – Colonial England and France Should Follow

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

January 06, 2009

The crimes and the massacres committed against the Aramaeans (Syriacs or Suryanis) and the Armenians in the north-eastern Ottoman territories during WW I were almost entirely perpetrated by the indigenous Kurmandji and Zaza populations who are different from the Turks and from one another, and cannot be categorized as fake “Kurds”.

The events were mostly due to forced displacement of mainly the Armenian populations who had been incited by the colonial powers of England, France and Russia to pursue a disastrous attitude, to betray their own country, and to turn against their own homeland, the Ottoman Empire. For this reason, in legal defense of its own territory, the Ottoman administration rightfully decided to transfer the Armenians to other regions where they would not be able to disturb the heroic Ottoman army which was simultaneously fighting against the Russians, the English and the French.

While crossing areas inhabited by Zazas and Kurmandjis, the Armenians have been decimated, but there was no Ottoman plan for this – which would have automatically implied the existence of a genocide.

The events triggered greater friction between Muslim and Christian populations, and the tragic events affected greatly the Aramaeans as well. Because of the insecurity, sort of protection was sought after by some Aramaeans (mainly the Nestorians) from the Russians – which worsened the situation and ended with the destruction of the Julamerg (today Hakkari) Patriarchate at Kutchanus (1916).

Instead of asking Turkey (an inexistent state at those days) to apologize for an inexistent plan of another state that does not exist anymore (the Ottoman Empire), the Armenians, collectively as nation, should apologize to the Turks for the Armenian high treason against the Ottoman Empire.

A great example has been recently given by an enlightened and brave Kurmandji political leader, Ahmet Turk, who originates from Mardin, an area populated by Aramaeans densely before WW I and scarcely thereafter.

With his great paradigm, Ahmet Turk introduces an element of ethics and moral responsibility into the politics of Turkey and the wider Middle East – in striking contrast with the gangsters Talabani and Barzani who idiotically believe the lies and the false promises of the criminal colonial English and French diplomats and statesmen, and the ´guarantees´ of the evil pro-English part of the US establishment.

In fact, the only to present their excuses and the only to pay for their criminal deeds in the said area are the Freemasonic colonial elites of England and France.

A union of Christians and Muslims in the wider area of the Middle East should be formed to help all the gravely affected indigenous nations and peoples, and to eliminate every colonial infiltration and presence in the area – target of the evil Freemasonic elites of the West.

I republish here an enlightening feature from the Aram Nahrin portal which sheds more light on the recent developments.

An Important Kurdish Leader in Turkey Apologizes for the Contribution of the Kurds to the Aramean Genocide of 1915 – Appeal to Ahmet Turk

Ahmet Turk is the Leader of the Kurdish Party For Democratic Society (Demokratik Toplum Partisi= DTP) in Turkey. During his trip on 30-12-2008 in South-Eastern of Turkey through the province of Mardin, Mr. Turk visited along with other party leaders various historical and tourist places. Amongst others, he visited the Aramean Cultural Association in Midyat and the Aramean monastery St. Gabriel. During his conversation with the Arameans of Tur Abdin Ahmet Turk apologized for the contribution of the Kurds to the Aramean genocide of 1915, as has been published on the Turkish Websites of , , see below.

Although Ahmet Turk did not mention the word ‘Genocide’, yet his statement is a important step in the right direction in a country where such statements are taboo.

Mr. Turk said, “Because of the sorrow of the heartrending events, we feel necessary to apologize”.

Please find below the articles published on the website of and , with the right column the original Turkish text and left column the English translation.

In Turkey there are around 20.000 Arameans of which major part is living in Istanbul. In Tur Abdin there are but around 2.000 Arameans. In the Turkey the Arameans are known as “Suryani”. The English translation sounds like “Syrian”, which is a synonymy for Aramean.

During the genocide of 1915 beside Armenians, around 600.000 Arameans were killed ( More about this horrible genocide:

The recognition of the Aramean physical genocide by a prominent Kurdish leader is a step in the right direction. Hopefully more Kurds will follow his example and finally also the Turks will do this. However, with that there is no end to the matter.

Contrary to the Armenians and Greeks, the Arameans also have suffered the horrible spiritual genocide. This spiritual genocide is the extermination of the Aramean cultural heritage by the Western missionaries and diplomats in the 16th and 19th century whereby the Arameans were exposed to fanaticism, nationalism and fake identities. In the 16th century the Catholics along with France brainwashed by means of blackmail and bribery a part of the East- Aramean Nestorians to call themselves “Chaldeans” and as a result of that in 1553 the “Chaldean Church of Babylon” was established. As a counter-maneuver, the same game was repeated in the 19th century, this time by the Anglican mission along with the British diplomats and brainwashed the remaining part of the East- Aramean Nestorians to call themselves henceforth “Assyrians”.

In this way through the zealous efforts of the Roman Catholic Church and Anglican Mission, in the name of ‘Jesus’; an unprecedented nationalism mixed with religion was implemented with terrible consequences for the part of our nation. A cultural genocide was carried out against our nation. And this genocide is today shameless and criminally is being continued (More about this: )

The hypocrisy and viciousness with many Western “genocide experts” is that they refuse to point at delicate matters where the West is concerned, namely the fact that the spiritual genocide has reinforced the physical genocide. The reason for this refusal and hesitation to acknowledge their deliberate machinations could be a significant indication that there is more going on than de killings of Arameans by the Turks and Kurds. Most probably the Western powers have, through the mediation of their proxies and diverse secret society and implacable international networks, participated in this abominable genocide, not to say orchestrated.

How do they act regarding these heinous machinations? To present themselves as “the good ones”, “the civilized ones” and to put their “goodness and morality” in the spotlight, they ran the Turks into the ground and portray them as the most evil and barbaric nation. We believe that this is rather a shame-cover for their own crimes than bringing the unimaginable sorrow which the Aramean and other Christians have suffered under the Ottoman Empire under the attention of the world .

As though this is not immoral and objectionable enough, these racist and horrible bandits continue with all happiness to designate our nation as “Assyrians”, as if their forefathers have done a good and a holy job with the spiritual cultural extermination of our nation.

As Arameans we have a long path to go. With the recognition of the Aramean Physical genocide, the matter is certainly not finished. On the contrary, the recognition of Aramean spiritual genocide is even more important, because the diffused Western hatred and division, which is still being continued, finally will result in the complete extermination of the Aramean nation. Today, we see this very clearly in Iraq. And the traitors among us, seem along with some of their western spiritual creators and criminals, to achieve this very soon.

Spiritual cultural genocide committed by the PKK – Appeal to Ahmet Turk and other Kurdish leaders for condemnation

The Aramean physical genocide was indeed committed by the Turks and Kurds. Most probably, this genocide was orchestrated by the satanic and the criminal Jesus of the West through their proxies and secret societies. We would not be amazed that many high level Turkish as well as Kurdish leader responsible for this horrible crimes against humanity were controlled by the abominable proxies of the Jesus of the West, who definitely should not be confused with the Jesus Christ of the Bible.

If today some independent conscientious Turkish scholars along with Kurdish scholars would dig in the history of this terrible genocide, they most probably would be utterly shocked to discover that those who orchestrated at the high level this genocide are not of Turkish origin at all, but are the children of Jesus of the West with completely different nationality than they ever would imagine. Probably some of them know, but do not dare to call a spade a spade.

The tactic of the criminal Jesus of the West is always to exterminate by their proxies so that nobody would ever discover the real perpetrators.

Similar crimes have been orchestrated by the Satanic Jesus of the West in 1993 when a covenant was coined between the PKK and the apostate Arameans who call themselves “Assyrians”. Please find here more on this crimes against the Aramean nation: . Below we summarize this criminal monstrous covenant to exterminate the Aramean culrural heritage.

This covenant between the PKK and the apostate Arameans who call themselves “Assyrians” was coined as follows:

Establishment of a sister-organization of PKK and recruitment of youth in the West.

Falsification of Aramean identity, Mr. Ocalan himself says “We will change history”.

If the PKK would prevail, the “Assyrians” would share in this victory.

After this covenant was made, a horrible spiritual genocide initiated against the Aramean nation in many Kurdish media by the PKK. Everywhere the Arameans were called “Assyrians”, thus a horrible “Assyrianization” campaign was started. A cultural extermination of the satanic Jesus of the West was now conducted by the PKK and wicked spiritual colonial children of the Jesus of the West, the “Assyrians”. And this spiritual cultural genocide of PKK against the Aramean nation continues until these days. In many Kurdish and Turkish newspapers they designate our people in English as “Assyrians”, which is a fake and a crime of the first order.

The Turkish word “Suryaniler” means Syrians in English. And the word Syrian is a Synonymy for Arameans and certainly not for “Assyrians”. In Turkish is this: Suryaniler= Aramiler, English: Syrians= Arameans. Please find here the famous scholars of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch who all testify on the Synonymy Aramean/Syrian.

What the apostate Arameans who call themselves “Assyrians” are doing is that they follow the criminal western invention of the lost- A trick which states that “Syria” is a shortened form of “Assyria”. See more on this matter:

For this reason we appeal to Ahmet Turk and other conscientious Kurdish leaders and say:

1. Condemn the spiritual cultural extermination campaign of PKK to designate the Aramean / Suryani people in the Kurdish media as “Assyrians”.

2. Condemn the spiritual genocide committed by the satanic Jesus of the West.

3. Mobilize other conscientious Kurds and make them aware of the horrendous covenant between PKK and the satanic Western spiritual colonization and slavery product “Assyrians”.

4. Warn all the Kurdish English language media under your sphere of influence to respect the Suryani/ Aramiler people and never call them by the wicked, colonial Western designation “Assyrians”.

5. Ahmet Turk says “When I encounter today a Armenian and Syrian brothers and look at them, we feel ashamed”. The PKK should be even more ashamed than that, because they carried out a evil plan against the Aramean nation to “Assyrianize” them; a plan which was initiated by the immoral and apostate western Christianity. Therefore PKK should apologize for this crime and stop with glorifying it. It is a worst form of genocide!

Annex 1

The Kurds apologize for the first time

30 December 2008/21:50

During his visit to the Syrian Cultural Association in Midyat in the province of Mardin, the Chairman of DTP, Ahmet Turk, made an apologize to the Syrians for the events which took place in the year 1915.

Perhaps, we the Kurds had also played a role in the killings of these (cutural) heritages.

When I encounter today a Armenian and Syrian brothers and look at them, we feel ashamed”, he said.

We Apologize

The leader of DTP who came to Midyat in the district Mardin along with the general secretary and Mardin parliamentarian Emine Ayna, Diyarbekir parliamentarian Aysel Tugluk and Sanliurfa parliamentarian Ibrahim Binici, visited together tourist and historical places in the province.

After that, they visited under leadership of chairman Turk of DTP, de Syrian Cultural Association in Midyat and spoke with the Chairman Yuhanna Aktas and the members of the association.

On the reality of the events of 1915, the DTP leader Ahmet Turk said this:

Because of the sorrow of the heartrending events, we feel necessary to apologize”.

When we see Armenians and Syrians, we feel ashamed.

Qualifying the geography of Mesopotamia and the place of civilizations, Turk went on in this way:

The Kurds, Armenians, and Yezidis live as distinct ethnics, with their faith, without discrimination very well with each other.

With the protection of preventing discrimination, we will become god people.

Of course our brothers Armenians, our brothers Syrians have lived under the process of continued sorrow.

Our Kurdish brothers suffer today the same sorrow.

We should not forget that in the past the Kurds have been used against other brothers, a factual happening to search the history very well for it and it is important to learn lessons from that history.

Perhaps, we the Kurds had also played a role in the killings of these (cultural) heritages.

When I encounter today a Armenian and Syrian brothers and look at them, we feel ashamed.

This also I wanted to state clearly”.

Ahmet Turk and the DTP board visited after that the Deyrulummer monstery situated in the Midyat district and spoke with bishop Samuel Aktas of Tur Abdin.

Annex 2

Makes An Apology to the Syrians

31.12.2008 01:35

During his visit to the Syrian Cultural Association in Midyat in the province of Mardin, the Chairman of DTP, Ahmet Turk, made an apologize to the Syrians for the events which took place in the year 1915.

During his visit to the Syrian Cultural Association in Midyat in the province of Mardin, the Chairman of DTP, Ahmet Turk, made an apologize to the Syrians for the events which took place in the year 1915.

Qualifying the geography of Mesopotamia and the place of civilizations, Turk went on in this way: “The Kurds, Armenians, and Yezidis live as distinct ethnics, with their faith, without discrimination very well with each other.

Our Kurdish brothers suffer today the same sorrow.

We should not forget that in the past the Kurds have been used against other brothers, a factual happening to search the history very well for it and it is important to learn lessons from that history.

When I encounter today a Armenian and Syrian brothers and look at them, we feel ashamed.

Because of the sorrow of the heartrending events, we feel necessary to apologize.

This also I wanted to state clearly”.

Note

Picture: Kurdish chieftain Soto among Aramaean doctors to whose advise he sought when ill; later he engaged his forces against them, and died in fight at the times of WW I (http://www.aina.org/books/fla/fla.htm).

January 7, 2009
Obama will/may be OK after all for Turkey

January 06, 2009

Recent news reports indicate that Barack Obama has been receiving advice from Brent Scowcroft.[1]

Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft wrote a Washington Post piece, entitled “Middle East priorities for Jan. 21,”on November 21, 2008. “We believe that the Arab-Israeli peace process is one issue that requires priority attention,…The major elements of an agreement are well known. A key element in any new initiative would be for the U.S. president to declare publicly what, in the view of this country, the basic parameters of a fair and enduring peace ought to be. These should contain four principal elements: 1967 borders, with minor, reciprocal and agreed-upon modifications; compensation in lieu of the right of return for Palestinian refugees; Jerusalem as real home to two capitals; and a non militarized Palestinian state.”

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who was deputy national-security adviser under Mr. Scowcroft in the George H.W. Bush administration, was also retained by President elect Obama, a Scowcroft protégé and another close Scowcroft friend, Gen. James Jones was tapped for the National Security Council. Other prominent Republicans with close ties to Mr. Obama include former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who endorsed the Democrat in the final days of the campaign, and Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who shares Mr. Scowcroft’s philosophy and has the distinction of getting a very poor report card from the Armenian National Committee of America.

First thing on their plate will be the conflict at Gaza. However come April the Turkish position will be made very clearly for the new president.

[1] Brent Scowcroft (born March 19, 1925 in Ogden, Utah) was the United States National Security Advisor under Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush and a Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force. He also served as Military Assistant to President Richard Nixon and as Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs in the Nixon and Ford administrations. He also served as Chairman of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005.

He received his undergraduate degree and commission into the Army Air Forces from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has an M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University.

Brent Scowcroft, is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Turkish Council (ATC)

Labels: diplomacy, politics, USA

posted by M.A.M at 11:57 PM

January 7, 2009