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Israel Accuses Turkish PM of Inciting Anti-Semitism

By Barak Ravid (26/10/2010)

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon's humiliation of the Turkish ambassador earlier this month seriously offended Turkey, but also made it clear to Ankara that it had crossed red lines in its relationship with Israel, according to a report on Israel-Turkey relations prepared by the Foreign Ministry.

The seven-page report, which was submitted to the "septet" of key cabinet ministers a few days ago, also charged that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan "indirectly incites and encourages" anti-Semitism.

The report was written by the Center for Political Research, which performs the ministry's in-house intelligence analysis, and has already been distributed to Israeli embassies and consulates abroad. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Ayalon, both of Yisrael Beiteinu, are the leaders of the government's aggressive anti-Turkey faction, while Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Industry Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, both of Labor, head the conciliatory, pro-Turkey faction. Regarding Ayalon's humiliation of the ambassador, the report said that while this seriously offended the Turks for many years to come, "at the same time, the manner in which senior Turkish officials, including Erdogan, ended the crisis may indicate that Turkey recognizes that it entered the red-line zone and [reached] the outer limits of the Israeli government's patience, and that this was liable to lead to it losing Israel, which would damage Turkey's international legitimacy."

But most of the report focuses on Erdogan, which it considers the main source of the current friction. "In our estimate, ever since his party took power, Erdogan has conducted an ongoing process of ... fashioning a negative view of Israel in Turkish public opinion," via endless talk of Palestinian suffering, repeatedly accusing Israel of war crimes and even "anti-Semitic expressions and incitement," it read.

Though in international forums Erdogan always stresses that anti-Semitism is "a crime against humanity," the report continued, in reality, he "indirectly incites and encourages" anti-Semitism in Turkey. "For Erdogan and some of those around him," it explained, "there is no distinction between 'Israeli' and 'Jewish,' and therefore, [their] anti-Israel fervor and criticism become anti-Jewish."

One result, the report said, is articles in the Turkish press questioning whether Turkish Jews are loyal to their country - something that could endanger Turkey's Jewish community.

In some cases, it added, Erdogan simply does not understand the anti-Semitic nature of his remarks - such as "Jews are good with money," which "he sees as a compliment."

Another way in which Erdogan encourages anti-Semitism is the backing he has given to radical Islamist newspapers, the report said. As an example, it cited the paper Vakit - which was originally also published in Germany, but was shut down there due to its anti-Semitic content. Vakit journalists, the report noted, are often invited to accompany Erdogan in his presidential plane on state visits overseas, and Turkish President Abdullah Gul called Vakit "the first paper he reads every morning."

Erdogan also "grants legitimacy" or "turns a blind eye" to anti-Israeli television programs "of an inflammatory, anti-Semitic nature," such as "Valley of the Wolves" - the series that prompted Ayalon's rebuke of the ambassador. The claim that this is just freedom of the press at work, the report said, is belied not only by the fact that such programs are approved by the Turkish censor, but by reports from Turkish journalists who say this freedom has been sharply curtailed in recent months: they say that "editorial policy is dictated by government bodies, journalists' phones and offices have been wiretapped, pressure has been applied to owners of mainstream media outlets, and there is tight supervision of Internet sites."

"For Erdogan, Israel-bashing is a way of bolstering his status with Islamic and Middle Eastern states, which Turkey would like to lead, and against the Turkish opposition, as well as with his own party's target audience and nationalist elements of the Turkish public," the report argued. Moreover, its cost is low.

The report rejected the Turkish claim that Erdogan is merely responding to Turkish public opinion, saying that in reality, Turkey's government is leading public opinion, not following it.

"Turkey today, under the leadership of the AKP [Erdogan's party], is different from the Turkey with which Israel forged a strategic relationship in the early 1990s," it concluded gloomily.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1145197.html

*****

Three Years After Dink Murder, Case Remains Unsolved

By Asbarez Staff on Jan 19th, 2010

ISTANBUL (Today’s Zaman)–Three years after Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was fatally shot outside his office by an ultranationalist teenager, the investigation into his murder has stalled as the suspected perpetrator and his immediate accomplices have been put on trial, but those who masterminded the plot to kill him still wait to be revealed.

While the anniversary of Dink’s murder is being commemorated today with a series of ceremonies in Turkey and abroad, Dink’s lawyers, domestic and international rights organizations and activists express their frustration that the murder investigation has not been progressing. There is a lengthy list of suspicious irregularities in the investigation, including deleted records and hidden files suggestive of an attempted police cover-up.

“Much of the evidence indicates that the murder could have been prevented,” said Deniz Tuna, one of the family lawyers. “We filed lawsuits indicating that security forces should have been tried for manslaughter because they caused Dink’s death from negligence, but they are continuing to be tried only for negligence,” she told Today’s Zaman.

Dink was editor-in-chief of the bilingual Agos daily until he was killed on Jan. 19, 2007. Lawyers representing the co-plaintiffs in the Dink trial have long alleged that the murder was the doing of Ergenekon, a clandestine group charged with plotting to overthrow the government. In the latest hearing they also petitioned the 14th High Criminal Court to contact the prosecutors investigating Ergenekon to request a copy of the documents that describe the organization’s schemes against religious minorities in Turkey.

At the last hearing of the Dink trial in October of last year co-plaintiff lawyer Fethiye Cetin stated that Dink’s murder, along with that of an Italian priest in 2006 and the 2007 slaying of three Christians in Malatya, was part of an operation carried out by Ergenekon.

On Saturday, a group known as “The Friends of Hrant” called on people to participate in a demonstration to be held in front of the Agos daily headquarters today, the third anniversary of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink’s death.

Cetin also said that the acts of some Ergenekon suspects in turning Dink into a target for ultranationalists were very “open.” She recalled that when Dink was facing charges under Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 301, which then criminalized “insulting Turkishness,” some of the people who are in jail now as alleged Ergenekon members brought crowds of protestors and even attacked Dink and his supporters as they entered and left the courtroom.

Indeed, this is what co-plaintiff lawyers Cetin and Tuna point out in their “Third Year Report on Hrant Dink’s Murder,” referring to a devious plan called the Cage Operation Action Plan, which aimed to intimidate Turkey’s non-Muslims and assassinate prominent figures. The plan, revealed during the Ergenekon investigation, was allegedly designed by a group of members of the Naval Forces Command.

Lawyer Tuna said that all the indications point to Dink’s murder being part of a plan. “There is a willpower and a determination [outside of] the court, and this is what needs to be exposed,” she said.

Asked by Today’s Zaman who could expose it, she said, “the government.”

“The security personnel were informed beforehand about the assassination plot and did not take steps to stop it. They are being protected by certain authorities in an attempted cover-up. We are talking about the state’s security forces: the gendarmerie, police and intelligence agencies. Therefore, it is the government which is supposed to demonstrate the political will to make progress in Dink’s murder.”

She also explained that an inspection board under the Prime Ministry had started an investigation in response to a petition by Dink’s wife in April 2007. The investigation requested that some intelligence and security forces personnel in Trabzon be investigated, and the board approved this report at the end of 2008.

“We don’t know the result of the investigation in Trabzon. We requested to be joint attorneys in those cases but were not allowed,” Tuna said, adding that they were prevented from doing this under Law 4483, which relates to the judicial process for trying public officials.

“What we need is a government initiative to show the necessary will in order to solve the problems in Dink’s murder which relate to the bigger picture,” she said.

The report prepared by Tuna and Cetin concluded that it is impossible to shed light on Dink’s murder using the methods employed thus far.

“As it is impossible to believe that the murder is the work of three to five youths who have nationalistic feelings, it is also impossible to believe that an organized structure which has illegal powers of authority and influence within the intelligence units and the gendarmerie could have committed the murder by using those youths. From the General Staff to the judiciary, from government spokespeople to the security units, from the media to paramilitary forces, all legal and political actors have responsibility in Hrant Dink’s murder, by not preventing the murder and not exposing the real perpetrators.”

http://www.asbarez.com/2010/01/19/three-years-after-dink-murder-case-remains-unsolved/
 

Press Releases
Turkish Prime Minister Defends a Wanted Genocide Perpetrator - November 10, 2009

Ottawa – The President of Sudan, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, cancelled his visit to Turkey to attend the scheduled meeting of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Istanbul on Monday November 9. On Sunday November 8, 2009 Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, defended al-Bashir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for trial on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the western region of Darfur and has issued an international arrest warrant. Erdogan questioned the charges against al-Bashir and said that “No Muslim could perpetrate a genocide”.

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The Clarifications Provided by the President of Armenia Regarding the Protocols - October 21, 2009

Ottawa – On October 10 2009, a few hours before the signing of the Turkey-Armenia protocols in Zurich, Switzerland, the President of the Republic of Armenia, Serj Sarkissian addressed the nation. In his introduction, he clearly stated that “let no one ignore the fact that, contrary to any slogans, the Armenian nation is united in its goals and is strong with its sons and daughters. And let no one try to split Armenia and our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora in presenting their concern over the future of Armenia as an attempt to impose something on the Republic Armenia.”

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ANCC Statement Regarding the Signing of the Turkey-Armenia Protocols - October 10, 2009

Ottawa – The ANCC expresses dismay and deep concern for the signing of the Turkey-Armenia protocols in Zurich today, 10th of October 2009. In the opinion of the ANCC, as well as the vast majority of the Armenian Diaspora, this agreement was the result of immense and undue pressure on landlocked and blockaded Armenia by leading powers within the international community, and in full disregard of historical facts, human rights and justice, and self-determination rights.

 
Canadian-Armenian Community protests in Montreal and Toronto against... - October 9, 2009

Ottawa – The Canadian-Armenian communities of Montreal and Toronto will hold two protest rallies this Friday and Saturday and a public gathering to express their frustration and opposition to the signing of “so-called” protocols that will guide the establishment and development of relations between Turkey and Armenia, which was jointly announced on August 31 2009 by the foreign ministers of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland.

 
The Armenian National Committee of Canada Considers Unacceptable The Recently Announced Protocols... - September 1, 2009

Ottawa – On August 31st, 2009, the foreign ministers of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland issued a joint announcement outlining the protocols that will guide the establishment and development of relations between Turkey and Armenia. The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) would like to express its serious concerns regarding this recent development.

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The Armenian National Committee of Canada Announces a New Appointment - July 29, 2009

Ottawa – The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) would like to inform that Mr. Aris Babikian, who has been the Executive Director of ANCC in Ottawa since 2006, has submitted his resignation to assume a new position in the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Mr. Roupen Kouyoumdjian will be temporarily in charge of the operations for our Ottawa office.

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The Armenian National Committee of Canada Expresses its Profound Concern in Regards to... - July 21, 2009

Ottawa – Following the G-8 summit in L’Aquila last week, the presidents of France, Russia, and the United States -the three countries that jointly co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group- urged the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to come to an agreement based on the preliminary version of the Basic Principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which was presented in November 2007 in Madrid.

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Launch of "Armenian Golgotha" in Canada Rousing Success - May 30, 2009

Toronto-- The launch of Peter Balakian's "Armenian Golgotha" in Toronto on May 29 was a rousing success as copies of the 500-plus-page book were sold out soon after the author's speech at the Armening Youth Centre. The event, which was attended by some 250 people, was MC-ed by Antranik Ohannessian.

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Turkish PM Admits Turkey's Ethnic-Cleansing Policies - May 30, 2009

Ottawa – Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey criticized Turkish nationalism at the Annual Congress of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Duzce, North-western Turkey. In his speech, on May 23, Mr. Erdogan called the Kemalist foundation of Turkey “fascist” because of the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian, Greek, Jewish, Kurdish, Assyrian and other minorities by the Turkish Government. 

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Erdogan Criticizes Turkey’s Past and Accuses the Kemalists of Ethnic Cleansing - May 29, 2009

Ottawa – On May 23 2009, during a congress of Turkey’s ruling Party (Justice and Development Party) in Duzce, Eastern Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made an important announcement. He criticized Turkish nationalism and called the Kemalist foundation of the Republic of Turkey “fascist” because of the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian and Greek minorities.

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Canadian Politicians Reaffirm Their Commitment to Justice and to Historic Truth - April 28, 2009

Ottawa - Two Ministers, four Parliamentary Secretaries, thirty-nine members of the House of Commons and seven Senators attended the reception, on April 28, celebrating the 5th anniversary of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the House of Commons.

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TVO to Telecast a Segment on the Armenian Genocide - April 24, 2009

Ottawa –TVO, the Ontario public television network, will telecast on April 24 "The Agenda with Steve Paikin", with an hour-long segment on the Armenian Genocide. The program will include interviews with representatives from the Canadian-Armenian and Canadian-Turkish communities. The program will air at 8:00 p.m. and will be repeated at 11:00 later in the evening.

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Canadian Politicians Defy Turkish Blackmail - April 24, 2009

 Ottawa-The Armenian community of Canada and Canadians at large will commemorate the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide starting on April 24.

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Why Turkey Withdraws its Ambassador Now - April 24, 2009

Ottawa – Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Canada on Wednesday April 22nd 2009, as a measure of political protest against the declarations made by the Canadian government recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

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Canada is not a Banana Republic - April 22, 2009

Ottawa- Canadians are dismayed by the Turkish Government decision to temporarily withdraw its ambassador from Canada because of the Canadian Government's and politicians' decision to uphold their principles and honour the victims of the Armenian Genocide this week.  This blatant interference of the Turkish Government in the internal affairs of Canada has been already condemned by a large number of Canadians.

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Canadian-Armenian Community Commemorates the Death of 1.5 Million Armenians - April 20, 2009

 Ottawa – The Canadian-Armenian community and Armenians around the world are commemorating the death of 1.5 million Armenians, exterminated during the first genocide of the 20th century by Ottoman Turkey.

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ANC Cambridge and the Armenian Community Centre Host Three MPs - April 20, 2009

CAMBRIDGE, Friday, April 17, 2009 – The Armenian National Committee of Cambridge and the Armenian Community Centre hosted a reception today for the three local Members of Parliament--Dr. Harold Albrecht, Peter Braid and Stephen Woodworth.

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