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Journal of Turkish Weekly
Jan 20 2007
Dink's Death: Things to do upon both Turkey and the EU Fatma Yilmaz
Saturday , 20 January 2007
Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian journalist, was killed yesterday on
19 January. There is no clarity yet who is responsible for the murder
and why such a tragic event took place. However, what clear is that
the murder of journalist Dink in Turkey has sparked a wave of protest
both inside and outside the country. Not only the Armenian and
European people have shown their reactions and sorrows on such tragic
death but, possibly more than these people, Turkish people has
particularly expressed their sorrows and condemnation as a reaction
to the murder.
Beside to the demonstrations showing the reactions to the murder, the
politicians have officially expressed their opinions criticizing such
provocation. In this sense, Mr. Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister,
stated that the attack on Dink was an attack on Turkey and on Turkish
unity and stability. He also added that the "dark hands" behind the
killing would be brought to justice.
On the European side, the German Presidency of the EU stated that the
Turkish authorities will solve this case as quickly as possible and
has no doubt that Turkey will steadfastly continue along the path
towards fully realizing freedom of expression.
It seems so that two sides including the European and Turkish
officials share the same opinions officially, affirming their sorrow
about the murder and there is no way to accuse to the whole Turkish
society because of a betrayer who was probably planning to create
provocation in order to strain the relations.
The Turkey's EU membership has already been under discussion due to
the reasons emanating from both some internal and external problems.
This murder has most likely targeted to damage the relations in a
more negative way. It is trying to make the parties take expeditious
and therefore wrong steps in favor of the people who will make profit
from such situation. This reminds me the previous cartoon crisis
aiming at producing a sense of anger so as to strain the relations
between the different religions. However, at this time, the tool
which was used for an atrocious aim became more brutal one, a murder.
Previously, the artificial cartoon crisis could not reach its target,
just like creation of `clash of religions' in the long run. It came
and then went such a flash in the pan. Hopefully, the attack on Dink
would not let the people to be fooled by such provocation. What to be
expected from the people of all sides is to respond this tragic and
provocative event in terms of presence of mind. Therefore, the aim
should be finding the real criminals behind the murder, not to bring
the responsibility on whole Turkish society. Hence, there are things
to do for Turkey and the European authorities in support of showing
their real sincerity.
20 January 2007
Fatma Yilmaz
Center for European Union Studies
Jan 20 2007
Dink's Death: Things to do upon both Turkey and the EU Fatma Yilmaz
Saturday , 20 January 2007
Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian journalist, was killed yesterday on
19 January. There is no clarity yet who is responsible for the murder
and why such a tragic event took place. However, what clear is that
the murder of journalist Dink in Turkey has sparked a wave of protest
both inside and outside the country. Not only the Armenian and
European people have shown their reactions and sorrows on such tragic
death but, possibly more than these people, Turkish people has
particularly expressed their sorrows and condemnation as a reaction
to the murder.
Beside to the demonstrations showing the reactions to the murder, the
politicians have officially expressed their opinions criticizing such
provocation. In this sense, Mr. Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister,
stated that the attack on Dink was an attack on Turkey and on Turkish
unity and stability. He also added that the "dark hands" behind the
killing would be brought to justice.
On the European side, the German Presidency of the EU stated that the
Turkish authorities will solve this case as quickly as possible and
has no doubt that Turkey will steadfastly continue along the path
towards fully realizing freedom of expression.
It seems so that two sides including the European and Turkish
officials share the same opinions officially, affirming their sorrow
about the murder and there is no way to accuse to the whole Turkish
society because of a betrayer who was probably planning to create
provocation in order to strain the relations.
The Turkey's EU membership has already been under discussion due to
the reasons emanating from both some internal and external problems.
This murder has most likely targeted to damage the relations in a
more negative way. It is trying to make the parties take expeditious
and therefore wrong steps in favor of the people who will make profit
from such situation. This reminds me the previous cartoon crisis
aiming at producing a sense of anger so as to strain the relations
between the different religions. However, at this time, the tool
which was used for an atrocious aim became more brutal one, a murder.
Previously, the artificial cartoon crisis could not reach its target,
just like creation of `clash of religions' in the long run. It came
and then went such a flash in the pan. Hopefully, the attack on Dink
would not let the people to be fooled by such provocation. What to be
expected from the people of all sides is to respond this tragic and
provocative event in terms of presence of mind. Therefore, the aim
should be finding the real criminals behind the murder, not to bring
the responsibility on whole Turkish society. Hence, there are things
to do for Turkey and the European authorities in support of showing
their real sincerity.
20 January 2007
Fatma Yilmaz
Center for European Union Studies