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Tension mount over Nevruz celebrations

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  • #1

    Tension mount over Nevruz celebrations

    Tension mount over Nevruz celebrations

    The New Anatolian / Ankara



    Tranquilly started Nevruz celebrations turned to altercations between police and demonstrators on Sunday in Turkey's two metropolises, dozens of demonstrators were detained.

    Some stone-throwing demonstrators clashed with police in Izmir and Istanbul, but there were no injuries or deaths.

    The clashes erupted as demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans supporting imprisoned terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan in the Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul threw stones to the police.

    Several armored personnel carriers were deployed around the meeting area anticipating further violence.

    Nevruz celebrations dominated the news in Turkey over the weekend, although they were originally scheduled for Tuesday.

    They started in Semdinli, Hakkari on Saturday with a bonfire that symbolizes the arrival of spring.

    Pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) leaders and members initiated the celebrations for Nevruz in Semdinli this year, although the local municipality office hadn't given permission for them.

    A DTP team arrived in Semdinli on Saturday, welcomed by around 2,000 supporters, under strict security from the police and gendarmerie.

    DTP co-chair Ahmet Turk made a speech underlining that the problems of the country can't be solved through military means but through reason and brotherhood. Asking for a general amnesty for all political prisoners convicted on charges of being affiliated to the PKK, Turk said that Turkey can't become a member of the civilized world by denying the identity of some communities.

    The crowd gathered for the celebrations chanted pro-PKK and pro-Ocalan slogans.

    In related news, celebrations for Nevruz in Istanbul started on Sunday, again under tight security. While Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler announced yesterday that the celebrations will be held in Zeytinburnu on Tuesday, some groups started celebrations yesterday at the same place, chanting pro-PKK slogans. Warning that the celebrations shouldn't be political, Guler said that some 6,000 policemen are to work to ensure security during the celebrations.

    The Anatolia news agency reported that 4,500 policemen, 500 gendarmerie and 1,000 soldiers were there ensure security for yesterday's demonstrations in Istanbul. A crisis center was set up at provincial police headquarters to follow any possible clashes closely.

    In Mersin, a city with a large Kurdish community of migrants from eastern and southeastern cities and with high tension among ethnic communities, 10,000 people attended demonstrations on Sunday. The demonstration ended with no major incidents.

    Nevruz is a traditional festival marking the arrival of spring, but has been closely associated with political Kurdish movements, and particularly the PKK, as such celebrations led to violent clashes in the 1990s.

    True Path Party (DYP) deputy head Celal Adan said yesterday that they won't let people turn Nevruz celebrations into a demonstration of support for the terrorist group.

    Stating that Nevruz is a festival celebrated by many communities in Turkey and Asia, Adan said that to try to use the festival for political propaganda is unacceptable.

    Adan also underlined that chanting slogans supporting Ocalan won't serve for peace, adding, "Those who think that they can achieve results using violence a means are gravely mistaken."

    The DYP member said that the current government has been affected by the PKK's discourse and has started to suggest Turkish citizenship as the primary identity of all people living in Turkey, and use concepts like the "Kurdish problem."
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Newrouz in Diyarbakir Morphs into pro-PKK Demo

    Newrouz in Diyarbakir Morphs into pro-PKK Demo
    By Cihan News Agency
    Published: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
    zaman.com


    The Newrouz festival celebrations in the southeastern Turkish province of Diyarbakir have degenerated into a pro-PKK demonstration.

    Police took up tight security measures where some 80,000 people gathered in the designated assembly area to mark Newroz on Tuesday as war planes made low flights overhead.

    A group of people, who demanded the removal of the security barricades, clashed with police and hurled stones at them. Three police officers were injured.

    Comment

    • #3
      Newrouz Celebrations in Diyarbakir Begin

      Newrouz Celebrations in Diyarbakir Begin
      By Cihan News Agency
      Published: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
      zaman.com


      The celebrations of the Newrouz Festival in the southeastern Turkish province of Diyarbakir, where the preparations have been made for days, commenced on Tuesday.

      The citizens have been taking to the celebration area, which is 12 kilometers away from the city center, after being searched by the police.

      Nearly 5,000 people have gathered in the celebration area.

      Some people waved placards, "For Peace and Democracy," "General Amnesty for Social Peace."

      Security forces mounted up the measures in the city against possible disorders and provocations from the terrorist organization Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) sympathizers.

      Public workers have been banned from attending the Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakir.

      The Turkish Security Directorate has urged citizens to act in a responsible way during the Newrouz Festival on 21 March and to be vigilant against provocations.

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      • #4
        DTP hold up Ocalan posters at Nevruz celebrations

        DTP hold up Ocalan posters at Nevruz celebrations

        The New Anatolian / Ankara



        Female members of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) yesterday wore vests reading "On duty" and held up posters of the inmate leader of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan at Nevruz celebrations in the southeastern town of Yuksekova.

        Under tight security, DTP members then also danced local folk dances.

        Delivering a speech at the celebrations, DTP member Ali Can Unlu and Yuksekova Mayor Salih Yildiz said that they support Hakkari Mayor Metin Tekce who's been a subject of controversy for saying the PKK isn't a terrorist organization.

        Hakkari Prosecutor’s Office is currently carrying out an investigation into Tekce for spreading propaganda for the terrorist organization.

        Unlu, during his speech, addressed Ocalan as “Mr. Ocalan” and said that Tekce expressed the problems of people living in the southeast.

        “The DTP supports Tekce to the very end. He expressed the Kurds’ demands. This country has lost many lives, goods, its social structure and ethical values in the past 15 years. Everybody has suffered a lot. Let’s not suffer anymore. Mr. Ocalan provided an opportunity but that opportunity was wasted,” Unlu said.

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        • #5
          Leaders call for peace and unity at Nevruz

          Leaders call for peace and unity at Nevruz

          The New Anatolian / Ankara



          Amid concerns of violent clashes during Nevruz celebrations today, political leaders expressed their hopes for social peace and order in messages marking the spring advent festival.

          Determinedly stressing that Nevruz is an Anatolian festival, President Sezer expressed his wish that the positive cultural aspects of Nevruz contribute to the development of friendship, cooperation and social peace. Sezer also expressed the hope that Turkish society will keep its cultural richness and pass these values on to future generations through festivals that bring people closer, enrich their lives and relations, and strengthen social unity in a peaceful way.

          Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed similar hopes for the event, saying that the common hope of the nation is that Nevruz will be celebrated to warm hearts, reinforce the bonds that tie people to each other and strengthen a sense of cooperation within society.

          In a similar vein, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said that he hopes that Nevruz will bring welfare and happiness to the nation, although there have been attempts to distort the meaning of the event to use it for hidden aims by separatist circles.

          "The Nevruz bonfire that brings the entire nation together is the fire of our heart. This fire won't just enlighten our past but also our future," said Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu.

          But the positive tone of the mainstream parties was not reciprocated by some of the smaller political groups. Two parties drew attention to provocations in the celebrations.

          Speaking at a press conference at party headquarters, Independence and Change Party (HURPARTI) leader Yasar Okuyan said that some people chanted slogans and carried signs supporting the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its leader Abdullah Ocalan at demonstrations held over the weekend. Claiming that the government has been tolerant of these demonstrations - "like rebellions against the state" -- in the last three days in various corners of the country, Okuyan said that the hands of security forces have been tied against the demonstrations.

          Felicity Party (SP) acting leader Recai Kutan called on the public to be aware of devious plans hatched by evil forces that aim to disrupt order and social peace.

          Preparations for Nevruz celebrations were reported to be ongoing yesterday with the setting of outdoor stages and preparation of traditional bonfires.

          According to reports, two special platforms and portable toilets were set up in Diyarbakir for the celebrations at the Fair and Congress Center on the Diyarbakir-Ergani highway today. The Diyarbakir Provincial Health Directorate announced yesterday that three mobile health centers, 11 ambulances and 55 personnel will be present at the celebrations.

          Comment

          • #6
            Kurds Clash With Turkish Police at Fest

            The Associated Press

            ISTANBUL, Turkey - Kurdish demonstrators hurled rocks at Turkish police on Tuesday as more than 75,000 Kurds gathered in a southeastern city for a spring festival and many shouted support for autonomy-seeking guerrillas.

            At least eight people were injured, including several policemen, hospital officials said.

            In an apparent show of force, Turkish warplanes flew over the demonstrators in Diyarbakir, the largest city in overwhelmingly Kurdish southeastern Turkey.

            During the rally, demonstrators unfurled giant pictures and shouted slogans in praise of imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan and his guerrilla group, the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, television footage showed. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.


            Ocalan was captured in 1999 and was sentenced to death for leading a bitter war for autonomy that has claimed some 37,000 lives since 1984. His sentence was later commuted to life in prison, which he is serving out as the sole inmate on a prison island near Istanbul.

            The spring festival of Nowruz has been the scene of violent clashes in the past, especially in the early 1990s - at the height of a bloody conflict between the Turkish army and Kurdish rebels.
            "All truth passes through three stages:
            First, it is ridiculed;
            Second, it is violently opposed; and
            Third, it is accepted as self-evident."

            Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

            Comment

            • #7
              Baykal: Nation's been orphaned

              Baykal: Nation's been orphaned

              TNA Parliament Bureau /Ankara



              The government is unable to rule the country, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal claimed yesterday.

              At his party’s group meeting in Parliament, Baykal strongly criticized the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party as terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) flags and posters of its inmate leader Abdullah Ocalan were raised at celebrations to mark the Nevruz festival in Turkey. He noted that the AK Party government has exceeded the limits of depravity, hinting that the government are betraying the country.

              “Those who govern have gone beyond the limits of depravity. Turkey’s administrators have that stage well behind. Do you understand what I'm saying?” asked Baykal.

              Baykal said that the area closest to Turkey, especially Iraq, is burning, and added that there are very disturbing scenes at Nevruz celebrations in Turkey as well.

              “Who can't but cry while witnessing scenes where the Turkish flag is attacked on streets occupied by those who object to the Turkish Republic; where the PKK's flag is waved; and the security forces cringe in order to escape stones thrown at them?” he asked.

              Asking how Turkey has arrived at such a point, Baykal said that the AK Party government is unable to ensure the enforcement of laws. “The stage is empty. Isn’t there anybody who will protect the country? There's never been a time like this when the nation was orphaned,” he asserted.

              Pointing to the fact that the General Staff issued a statement in such an atmosphere, Baykal noted that the General Staff was "offended" by an indictment. According to Baykal, the indictment doesn’t represent the judiciary. He suggested that those who have constitutional responsibilities should discover who's behind this affair.

              Baykal recalled that he was criticized when he uttered the phrase "civilian coup" related to the indictment that accused Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit of forming a crime gang. “What is it then?” he asked.

              According to Baykal, Turkey has left its duty of fighting terrorism aside. “The confusion in Turkey’s fight against terrorism is shown at the prime ministerial level. The security forces are becoming incompetent. I regret to say that the security forces are at odds with each other. They conflict with each other at an institutional level. Who governs this country? Where's the country being dragged? Is this being done on purpose or not? Turkey has never been at the point of being orphaned. The process is not good. This picture of being orphans creates a vacuum which may be dangerously filled,” he added.

              Baykal stressed that there's been very dangerous systematic cronyism for a while in Turkey and added that this has gone beyond partisan behavior.

              “We're facing an attempted siege by the AK Party targeting the public, state and its institutions. Let’s not deceive ourselves,” he said.

              Comment

              • #8
                Erdogan: Nevruz is being exploited

                Erdogan: Nevruz is being exploited

                TNA Parliament Bureau / Ankara



                The Nevruz festival, which marks the beginning of spring, is being exploited by certain circles, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

                Addressing his deputies at a Justice and Development (AK) Party group meeting in Parliament, Erdogan stated that the people of this country had won the War of Independence and the Battle of Gallipoli through unified struggle and added that this spirit of endeavor was the most precious gift to be passed on to the younger generation.

                The prime minister claimed that past actions staged against Turkey are again being planned by some circles. He warned that these circles wanted to cast a shadow over the joy and happiness of the nation and that from time to time they have caused division over beliefs and traditions.

                "We are now facing a similar situation," he said. "There are those who want to overshadow the Nevruz spring celebrations in our 81 provinces. They have exploited our youth through political conflict; they exploited our workers on May Day. The provocateurs' identities were unmasked and now they have found a new playground. They are exploiting Nevruz to create new conflicts. Their aim is obvious. They want to destroy the inner peace of this nation and weaken our bonds of brotherhood. They want to turn our spring joy into social tension."

                Erdogan asked the public to stay away from those who try to incite hatred among people. He said that Turkey would celebrate Nevruz in the way it celebrated the March 18 anniversary of the Dardanelles victory and gave a reminder that the people stood side by side in the Battle of Gallipoli and the War of Independence.

                "We are going to be together forever in one country and be at home under one flag. Our essence and direction is one. Those who disagree should look back to the Battle of Gallipoli," he added.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Altercation in Diyarbakir clouds Nevruz celebration

                  Altercation in Diyarbakir clouds Nevruz celebration

                  The New Anatolian / Ankara



                  Nevruz celebrations in Diyarbakir yesterday organized by the Democratic Society Party (DTP), led to tension between police and demonstrators.

                  Some demonstrators threw stones at the police, injuring six officers.

                  Under strict security measures, the demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans supporting the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its leader Abdullah Ocalan. Jet planes flew over the demonstrators during the celebrations.

                  Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani sent a message to the demonstrators, apologizing for not appearing in the celebrations, due to "delicate balances."

                  Another officer was injured by the stones thrown at police in Sirnak's Silopi district during the Nevruz celebrations. Six demonstrators were injured as a wall collapsed during the celebrations in the city.

                  Around 10 people were taken into custody for illegally demonstrating in Mersin. Police headquarters Deputy Chief Suleyman Ekizer said that 10 people were taken into custody late Monday for the illegal protest.

                  In related news, Istanbul Police Headquarters Chief Celalettin Cerrah said that no major incidents took place there because everybody used their common sense during the Nevruz celebrations in Sultanahmet Square yesterday.

                  Speaking at the square, Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said that Nevruz is the common festival of Turkic communities from the Middle East to the Balkans, from Central Asia to Anatolia.

                  Underlining the point that communities can survive only as long as they are united and peaceful, Guler said that Nevruz strengthens the bonds between community members while reinforcing national values and unity. "Nevruz was never a tool for friction, violence, intolerance or conflict and never will be," said Guler.

                  The celebrations in Sivas started with the singing of the national anthem and the observation of a minute of silence for Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Speaking at the ceremony, Sivas Governor Hasan Canpolat said that the celebrations in some cities turn into violent demonstrations, adding, "The days that should bring us together are being used to separate us."

                  In Izmir, the celebrations took place in Buca with the attendance of local administrative officials. Speaking at the celebrations, Izmir Governor Oguz Kagan Koksal said that nobody has the right to claim the ownership of Nevruz, as it's exclusively a Turkish festival.

                  In a Nevruz ceremony in Elazig, Governor Muammer Musmal said that there are "certain circles" who are trying to mark the festival through violent attacks and demonstrations. He also warned that nobody should try the patience of the Turkish nation, as some circles have already seen what happened when it's tried.

                  The Turkish Metal Union (TMS) also celebrated Nevruz with a ceremony at their headquarters. Speaking at the ceremony, TMS head Mustafa Ozbek said that successive governments in Turkey made Turkish people forget their own traditions and festivals. Stating that the 21st century will be the century of Turks, Ozbek said that the Turkic world will become the supreme Eurasian power.

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                  • #10
                    Police to throw book at PKK flag wavers

                    Police to throw book at PKK flag wavers

                    The New Anatolian / Ankara



                    Demonstrators who waved flags of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and carried banners praising the terrorist group during three days of Nevruz celebrations are to face prosecution.

                    In a statement yesterday Police Headquarters commented on events during the spring festival activities to date, saying over half a million people attended 71 events in a variety of cities and added that 61 people have been detained for hurling stones at the police.

                    There was no information on how many demonstrators will be prosecuted.

                    The Interior Ministry last week issued a circular urging the authorities not to tolerate banned flags and symbols being displayed during Nevruz celebrations.

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