CAN WE GET RID OF THIS MONSTER THE DEEP STATE?

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A TURKISH JOURNALIST ASKS: CAN WE GET RID OF THIS MONSTER THE DEEP STATE?

1915, 1934, 1955, 1978, 1993, 2010

Zaman - ORHAN KEMAL CENGI - There were two tragic incidents in two small towns in Turkey this week. In Inegol and Dortyol "angry crowds" wanted to lynch some Kurdish citizens. They destroyed shops and buildings, they clashed with security forces, burnt down official vehicles, attacked police stations to get the "suspects," who were believed to be Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members. In these two small towns, events seemed to have started for different reasons but they progressed in almost identical patterns. "Nationalist Turks" wanted to lynch Kurds and scare them away from their neighbourhoods. All my senses and gut feelings tell me that these incidents and other possible provocations that may follow them are neither incidental nor spontaneous; they had been prepared for some time. Since 1915 not a single mass provocation or massacre has developed spontaneously on this soil. They all had been prepared quite masterfully and diligently. Armenian massacres in 1915, anti-Jewish pogroms in 1934, anti-Greek and Armenian pogroms in 1955, the Alevi massacres of 1978, the Sivas massacre of 1993, they all were carefully planned and organised by the deep state elements in this country. Since Turkey has never had a full confrontation with these tragic events, with this lynching culture or with the institutional mentality which created the necessary infrastructure for these incidents to occur, this human eating machine has been passed from one generation to another. At this point I would like to share with you a quite irritating attitude of some Westerners with regard to atrocities in Turkey. Some Westerners are quite ready to believe whatever you say about the "deep state" which destroyed and massacred non-Muslims in Turkey; however, when it comes to Ergenekon and recent provocations they seem to believe that your explanations are just "urban legends." A schizophrenic Western mentality appears when dealing with Turkey's past and present. They do not want to see that those who carried out all these massacres and the so-called modernising forces of Turkey were exactly the same people. They do not want to see the continuation between the Turkification of Anatolia and the modernisation of Turkey. In one of my recent articles I tried to explain the provocative role of the Hurriyet daily in the 1955 pogroms. From this historical perspective, do not underestimate the psychological link between Hurriyet columnists' "innocent call" to question whether Turks and Kurds must live together and these angry Turkish citizens' efforts to send Kurds "back" to the Southeast. Hurriyet's writers have always been quite inspired to show angry Turks where they can unleash their "intense" feelings. Who are these "angry Turks"? Most of them are "grey wolves," namely Turkish ultra-nationalists. Exactly as they had played their roles in the massacres before 1980, now they are also quite active among the masses who tried to lynch the Kurds. Before 1980, the Turkish Gladio used these ultra-nationalist groups and I am 100 percent sure that if it is investigated thoroughly these people's connections with deep state elements, like their ancestors' connections before the 1980 coup, will also be revealed. I would not be surprised if it is found out that the local press and media had been playing quite a provocative role for some time in these regions. Today, a civil war between Kurds and Turks would be a panacea for the return of the deep state to its full strength and for the restoration of military guardianship. I know this is also seen by some circles as a kind of paranoia but I have no doubt that between some segments of the PKK and the Turkish deep state there are quite strong connections and channels. It was not and would not be a surprise to witness PKK attacks in regions which are most ready for these kinds of mass provocations. Abdullah Ocalan, from his maximum security cell, had foreseen that "there might be some clashes between Kurds and Turks in some regions of Turkey." So we can guess the PKK will intensify its attacks in these sensitive regions. Just before the referendum for the constitutional amendments and at exactly the same time that the court ordered the detention of 102 high ranking military officers for allegedly being part of a coup plan against this government, nothing is happening for nothing. We will witness these well-known stories more and more: "All these terrible things happening because of the Kurdish opening and so-called democratisation efforts," "The Turkish military cannot fight against the PKK efficiently because they are extremely demoralised due to this Ergenekon investigation and recent arrest waves," "All we need is to restore the old system," "After all, Ergenekon and other such 'fantasies' were produced to weaken the secular structure of Turkey," "If only we could get rid of this government," and so on. Our story is 100 years old. Can we get rid of this monster, the deep state? Yes, if only we could stop being deceived by the fairy tales that are constantly being told on this soil. So, be alert out there, everything depends on your awareness.

ARMENIANS SEEK BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LAWSUIT AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (The Associated Press) - Armenian-American lawyers filed a federal lawsuit on July 30 against the Turkish government and two banks, seeking compensation for the heirs of Armenians whose property was seized during the Armenian Genocide. Lawyers are seeking class-action status for the suit, a process attorney Brian Kabateck said could take as long as three years. “We are rolling up our sleeves and are going forward,” he said. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of plaintiffs Garbis Davouyan of Los Angeles and Hrayr Turabian of Queens, N.Y. It alleges breach of statutory trust, unjust enrichment, human-rights violations and violations of international law. Compensation is sought for land, buildings and businesses allegedly seized from Armenians as they were driven from the Ottoman Empire, along with bank deposits and property, including priceless religious and other artifacts, some of which are now housed in museums in Turkey. Attorney Mark Geragos said it was the first such lawsuit directly naming the government of the Republic of Turkey as a defendant. “All of the lawyers involved have relatives who perished or fled the Armenian Genocide, which gives it a special poignancy for us,” he said. Also named in the lawsuit were the Central Bank of Turkey and T.C. Ziraat Bankasi, the largest and oldest Turkish bank, with origins dating back to the 1860s. According to the lawsuit, the government of Turkey agreed to administer the property, collecting rents and sale proceeds from the seized assets and depositing the receipts in trust accounts until the property could be restored to owners. Instead, the government has “withheld the property and any income derived from such property,” the lawsuit said. A message left with the Turkish Consul General’s office in Los Angeles was not immediately returned. After-hours e-mails seeking comment from both banks were not readily answered. Lawyers for the plaintiffs believe records of the properties and profits still exist, and they are seeking an accounting that could reach billions of dollars. In 2000, the California Legislature recognised the deaths as genocide when it allowed heirs to seek payment on life-insurance policies of dead relatives. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later invalidated the law. Geragos has appealed that ruling. Still, the heirs were paid nearly $40 million by New York Life Insurance Co. and French insurer AXA.

EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS 1.4 MILLION EUROS COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF USE OF PROPERTY, TO A SINGLE LAW SUIT OF A GREEK CYPRIOT REFUGEE

Omphalos tis Gis - Nicosia 3 August, 2010 - The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has awarded a Greek Cypriot refugee €1.4 million as compensation for loss of use of his property in the north of Cyprus. Antonakis Solomonides’ claim related to 44 plots of land in Kyrenia, Famagusta, Morphou and Nicosia, representing a total area of 340,000 square meters. Finding that the applicant “was denied access to and control, use and enjoyment of his properties,” the court awarded €1.4 million as opposed to €6.68 million claimed by Solomonides, who died in 1998. The ECHR calculated its compensation from January 1987, when Turkey accepted the right of individual petition, and September 1999. The claim was lodged in January 1990. The Cyprus Mail says the figure awarded was closer to the €1.36 million proposed by the respondent, Turkey, which was based on an estimate of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) in the north, to which the applicant had applied in the meantime. He later withdrew the application as the move nearly jeopardised his chances for ECHR compensation.

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GIBRAHAYER CALENDAR

Tuesday 10 August to Wednesday 18 August - AYF Youth Camp in Troodos. 33 years after the first time ARF Dashnaktsoutiun's youth organised its first panagoum in Cyprus, AYF Cyprus is organising its annual camp in Troodos. Details to follow: Contact Sevag Gurunlian on 99202923 and Kevork Keoshgerian on 99817806. Friday September 17 - Concert by Haroutune Bedelian (violin) and Lorna Griffitt (piano) at The Presidential Palace in Nicosia, organised by The Armenian Relief Society of Cyprus (HOM) on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Relief Society (HOM). More details to follow.

Saturday 2 October - Main political event in Cyprus for the 120th anniversary of The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsoutiun at PALLAS Theatre in Nicosia. More details of the celebrations to follow. May - October 2010: Tatiana Ferahian is among 17 international artists participating in the "Out of Space" environmental art project, which takes place in the Nature Reserve De Rottige Meentein in Holland. Saturday 20 November 2010 at 7:00 pm at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre - Composer Ara Gevorgian and his entourage in Cyprus, performing in co-operation with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and participation of our SIPAN Dance Group. This unique event is organised by the Office of the Armenian Representative on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus. Sunday 21 November 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre - Composer Ara Gevorgian and his entourage in Cyprus, performing in co-operation with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and participation of our SIPAN Dance Group. This unique event is organised by the Office of the Armenian Representative on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus.

News in Brief - by Sevag Devletian

A quartet of economic co-operation of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan - under Turkish MP Ahmet Davudoglu - has been signed in Bolis under which Turkey hopes that it will in time, evolve to a strategic partnership. Russia and Armenia are to sign a protocol introducing amendments to the treaty on the Russian military base in Armenian territory. According to the draft protocol the Russian Federation will help to provide Armenia with modern and compatible armaments and military hardware. Up to six Armenian soldiers are dead after a shooting incident in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Officials refused to confirm the number of dead, but Armenia's Defence Ministry issued a statement Thursday saying that an "incident" in the military involving "use of firearms" has resulted in an unspecified number of deaths. Turkey is presently studying a short section of a road that will in all probability be used should the Armenia-Turkey border be opened. According to CNNTurk experts from Erzerum regional road department have upon the instruction of Igdir's Governor arrived at the Alican checkpoint and are currently exploring the 6km-long road, as well as a bridge on the border. The experts will in the near future prepare a report on the works being done and will submit it to the Igdir province Governor. The `Phoenix' Human Resources Development All-Armenian Foundation granted today 10 manuscripts, among them a copy of Krigor Naregatsi's `Madian Voghperkoutian', made 1331 in Cilicia, to the Mesrob Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. World-renowned Armenian-Canadian director Atom Egoyan wants to make a film in Turkey, saying he welcomes all manners of projects. A joint project with Turkish directors would be a good step toward dialogue, Egoyan told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review during a recent interview in Yerevan. A fan of Turkish Nobel laureate author Orhan Pamuk, and especially his novel "Snow," Egoyan said it would be a pleasure to adapt the writer's work to the silver screen. Armenian singer Sonna Shakhgeldyan has won the `New Wave-2010' international contest of young pop music performers in Jurmala, Latvia. Founded by Russian composer Igor Krutoy and Latvian musician Raimond Pauls nine years ago, the New Wave contest has brought fame to many Russian pop singers, including Anastasiya Stotskaya, Dima Bilan, Polina Gagarina, Irina Dubtsova and the band `Smash!' Some of the participants used to represent their countries in the Eurovision contest as well.

COMMUNITY SUPPLEMENT IN PHILELEFTHEROS ON SUNDAY

Dear Gibrahayer Subscriber, Read the Phileleftheros Sunday edition, this Sunday 08/08/2010 AND get your 16-page free Supplement dedicated to the Armenian Young Men's Association AYMA. The supplement includes many photographs from past and present, reflecting the mythical AYMA Football Club of the '40s and '50s and the multi-dimensional activities of its affiliated organizations Hamazkayin, HOM and Dashnaktsoutioun. The supplement and the adjoining article has been edited by journalist Anastasia Shakalli, with the close assistance of researcher-scholar Alexander-Michael Hadjilyras.

Letters to the Editor

28th July 2010 Very Dear Friends, I should like to inform you that in September I intend to launch a campaign to establish an AGBU Young Professionals (YP) in Cyprus and I count on your full cooperation and support in that regard. AGBU Young Professionals (YP) are a growing network of groups and supporters around the world who are committed to preserving and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs for young Armenians between the ages of 22 to 40. AGBU Young Professionals groups have been established, throughout the world. Currently, I am trying to establish a list of potential members to join in establishing the YP in Cyprus, including those who have also been recipients of AGBU scholarships. Accordingly, I should be most grateful if you could assist me in establishing such a list, by providing me with the names of the individuals concerned, together, where available, of their respective address, phone numbers and e- mail address. More information concerning the YP and its activities could be found by visiting the AGBU web site: www.agbu.org . I look forward to hear from you soon and count on your support and assistance in establishing a YP in Cyprus. I can be reached at 99 158 201. My e mail address is: hampuyr@cytanet.com.cy With very warm regards, Benon Sevan

ARMENIAN STUDENTS IN INDIA ON STRIKE !

Tuesday , August 3 , 2010 STAFF REPORTER - TELEGRAPH INDIA - Students of Armenian origin started a “three-day hunger strike” on Monday to protest the alleged high-handedness of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy on Free School Street. Sources said 35 of the 80-odd students from across the world now staying in the academy’s hostel have refused to eat, alleging that they were being forced to study in “second-rate” institutions as the management was not funding their education properly. The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy, founded in 1821, runs a free school for Armenian children up to Class X and also funds the college education of students from the community. Students taking scholarship from the academy can also study at La Martiniere. “I passed out from La Martiniere for Boys with 85 per cent marks. But I am being forced to study in a second-rung college because the academy authorities are not ready to fund my education at a better institution,” said a former student of the academy, who still stays in the hostel on the Free School Street campus. “We have been forced to go on hunger strike. The management is insensitive towards us.” The management refused to comment but a teacher of the academy said on condition of anonymity: “The authorities are trying to discipline the children and improve their performance.” Last month, the authorities had allegedly suspended two students for failing to memorise poems. “They were barred from participating in any activity. When they questioned the management’s decision, they were told to leave for their countries. What will happen to their future?” asked an agitating student. “Our parents have sent us here for better exposure. In our country it would have been difficult to study English. But the college authorities are gradually ruining the institution,” said one of the agitating students. “We were promised that the management would fund our entire education and help us if we get an opportunity to study and work abroad. But now we are not even being allowed to apply to good colleges in Calcutta or other cities in India,” he added. Sources said Armenian children living anywhere in the world can apply for the academy’s scholarship. Now, around 80 students from India and other countries - such as Iran, Iraq and Turkey - are availing themselves of the academy’s scholarship and living in its hostel. Earlier, the students who did not want to study in the academy’s school could opt for La Martiniere or Calcutta International School. Sources said only the La Martiniere option is now open.

Armenian Sports by Sevag Devletian

FOOTBALL: World (1998) and European (2000) champion, French-Armenian footballer Youri Djorkaeff told francefootball.fr about his desire to become the chief coach of Armenia’s football team. “I am ready for any suggestions coming from the Armenian Football Federation, but I have not received anything official” noted Djorkaeff. CHESS: GM Tigran Nalbandyan won an international tournament held with participation of 92 chess players in Dortmund, Germany. Nalbandyan edged out Thomas Henrichs (Germany) and Mikhail Zaitsev (Russia) on tie-break after all finished on 7/9. JUDO: The Armenian team won two bronze medals at the European Junior Judo Cup in Prague. Grigor Ivanyan (55kg) and Gor Harutunyan (60kg) both won bronze medals in their respective weight categories. CHESS: Armenian GM Zaven Andriasian gained 3 points to top the standings along with another three players in the Open Int. Chess Tournament held in Kavala, Greece. BOXING: The WBA super middleweight champion Dimitri Sartison beat Armenian Khoren Gevor in a 12 round unanimous decision in Hamburg, Germany. The final score was 115-112, 117-110 and 117-109 all in favour of Sartison. CHESS: Armenian GM Levon Aronian, along with Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), Alexey Shirov (Spain) and Hao Wang, (China) will participate in the Chess Masters tournament to be held in Shanghai on September 3-8. YOUTH OLYMPICS: On August 14-26, fourteen Armenian sportsmen will participate in Singapore Youth Olympic Games. The Armenian delegation will be headed by Vice President of Armenian National Olympic Committee Derenik Gabrielyan. FOOTBALL: The Armenian Football Federation has announced that the Armenia-Iran friendly match is scheduled for August 11 at the Hrazdan stadium in Yerevan.

IN CYPRUS ... IN NOVEMBER

Ara Gevorgian and his orchestra in association with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra & Sipan Dance Ensemble perform on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus

Saturday 20th November 2010 at 7.00 pm Sunday 21st November 2010 at 6.00 pm Strovolos Municipal Theatre Nicosia Organised by the office of the Armenian MP V.Mahdessian Tickets: €10 Call 22454540

Gibrahay Sports by Sevag Devletian

In extreme conditions of 38 degrees and 78% humidity former Davis Cup star Haig Ashdjian turned a 0-2 deficit in both sets to defeat Marios Petrou 6-3, 6-2, in the finals of the +45 Seniors tournament in Larnaca. Ashdjian also won the +35 doubles with Andreas Georgiades, defeating the Petrou brother Marios and Yiannis, 6-1, 6-1. August 18-21 AGBU Ararat FC will be hosting the UEFA Futsal Group D games at the Eleftheria Stadium in Nicosia. Tickets cost 10 EUR and are valid for the whole of the tournament. The income generated from ticket sales will be donated to Rosanna Baghdasarian, a young girl who has a rare disease and is battling everyday against her disease. Ticket Hotlines are 96672224 and 99644854.