TD Editor's note: Turkish Digest also strongly condemns this terrible murder, since we see it as a crime committed against humanity, democracy, Turkey and what Turkey stood for several centuries as land of respect, tolerance, hospitality and love for other religions and peoples. We convey our deepest sorrow and heartfelt condolances to Mr Dink's family, friends, loved ones and the Armenian community. May he rest in peace.
Hrant Dink assassinated in a dastardly Plot
Our pain and sorrow are endless
We, the members of Turkish-American community, condemn this cowardly and dastardly murder in the strongest way possible with words and convey our deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family, friends, and loved ones.
We consider those bullets fired on Dink to actually aim at human rights, freedom of speech, Turkey, Turkey’s democracy and unity and condemn the dark forces behind those bullets.
We learned with sadness (from the NTV satellite broadcast via www.dfhnet.com ) that Hrant Dink, editor of Agos newspaper published in Istanbul and a prominent member of the Turkish-Armenian community, has been killed. The assassination took place as Dink was leaving the Agos building (apparently temporarily as he had left his hat and coat in his office.) According to eyewitnesses, an 18-19 year old man wearing a white hat and blue jeans fired four bullets at Dink in close range. Three of those bullets hit Dink in his head and neck killing him on the spot. The killer then ran away, not neglecting to shout “Don’t Speak!” (to the police), in an apparent attempt to scare the eyewitnesses into silence. According to police, a suspect fitting this description was caught in Taksim, a district only a mile or two down the road from Sisli, the crime scene.
Hrant Dink’s lawyer, Erdal Dogan, stated in a phone interview with NTV anchor that Dink did alert the Sisli District Attorney about the threats Dink had received but that Dink did not ask for body guards. Indeed. Dink did write about the threats he had received in his latest article and described the situation he was in with the phrase “Dovish nervousness of the state of my soul.”
In a move of incredible speed and sensitivity, the President of Turkey, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, immediately declared the event “ugly and shameful” and that he condemned it.
Prime Minister Erdogan, in his speech of condolences, also condemned the event and called it a move against the unity of Turkey. Turkish Interior Minister Aksu and Justice Minister Cicek were on their way to the crime scene as soon as they heard the assassination. Statements of shock and sadness form all media personalities kept pouring in. Grieving citizens created huge crowds at the crime scene and shouted slogans condemning killer(s). As one can see, Turkey from its highest levels of government to it widest base of citizenry sincerely condemned this assassination and mobilized for the immediate capture of the perpetrator(s).
Now expect to see unfounded and unjustified attack on Turkey totally ignoring the above. I-told-you-so editorials and/or op-ed pieces will flood the media and full scale demonizing of Turkey will be attempted.
This assassination gave those already hostile to Turkey a great opportunity to bad mouth Turkey, as if the crime committed by one citizen can be attributed to a whole country.
Because of this murder, the U.S. Congress, for the first time ever in its history, might be tempted to accept as fact those baseless Armenian allegations of genocide (I hope this doesn’t happen, otherwise the Turkish-American relations would be seriously and permanently damaged. Turkish pride and honor can never be fodder to America’s arrogant and ignorant local politics.)
The French government may be pressured into rethink its position no to send that comical law banning freedom of speech on Turkish-Armenian conflict, the infamous denial law, to the Senate which is expected to approve it (Again, I hope this doesn’t happen, because Turkish-French relations will be seriously and permanently damaged. France still owes an apology to Turks for invading Anatolia during WWI, raining death and destruction on Turks, and destroying thousand year of peaceful-cohabitation of Turks and Armenians in Anatolia by using neighbor-against-neighbor approach. With this law, French politicians would be adding insult to the historic pain and suffering they inflicted on Turks.)
The “secret embargo and censorship” applied to Turkish views on the Armenian issue in the West would be more open wide-spread. This assassination, no matter how it is viewed or who committed it, is like a heinous dagger put in the back of Turkey. Viewed in this light, one cannot help wondering if this assassination is organized by some anti-Turks. Time will reveal this. When the suspects are caught and turned over to the wheels of justice, the dark forces behind this crime will also be revealed. That’s our wish, hope, and expectation.
As proud and brave members of a dignified and honorable nation which succeeded in keeping the brotherhood and citizenship bonds between the Turkish-Armenians and Turks even after many years of international Armenian terrorism and losing numerous martyrs, we hope that the perpetrators of this hate crime will be captured and brought before justice; convey our condolences and sympathies to Hrant Dink’s family, friends, and loved ones; and wish patience and strength to surviving family members, friends, and indeed, the entire Turkish nation.
With our deepest love and respect,
Ergun KIRLIKOVALI
Member of the Advisory Board, The Turkish Forum
Columnist, www.turkla.com
Former President, ATA-SC (Association of Turkish-Americans, Southern California)
Western Regional Director, FTAA (Federation of Turkish American Associations, New York)
Former Western Regional Director, ATAA (Assembly of Turkish American Associations, Washington DC)
Husband, father, brother, citizen, and a human
