The 3 Muslim deputies (Akifoglou, Galip, Mustafa)
The 3 Muslim deputies (Akifoglou, Galip, Mustafa)
by Nikos Doukas
The recognition of Turkish and "Macedonian" minorities in Greece is demanded in an unheard-of provocative statement by the 3 Muslim deputies Birol Akifoglou (conservative party ND), Galip Galip (socialist party PASOK) and Mustafa Mustafa (leftist party SYN) and some self-described "minority" organizations. The "public appeal", as they name their provocative statement, is addressed to the chair of the parliament and the leaders of the parties on the anniversary of the democracy's restoration. This provocative statement, which has the form of an ultimatum to the Greek state, is one more step to the secession of Western Thrace from Greece.
The three parties in their desperate attempt to secure votes, included as candidates, in the sensitive area of Western Thrace, Muslims completely controlled by Turkey. As a result the eternally Greek Western Thrace, the fatherland of the philosophers Democritos, Leucippos and Anaxarchos, the orator Protagoras, and the emperors Cantacuzenos, gives the impression of a new Kosovo.
So far the three parties have not taken any disciplinary action against the deputies, accepting, with their guilty silence, this provocative move. The move of the three deputies coincides strangely with the imposed by the USA Greek-Turkish "dialogue" for Greek sovereign rights.
We greet tomorrow's 25th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece. However we wish to point out that, despite the indisputable progress in the area of human rights during the last 25 years, the Greek Republic has a serious weakness: it does not recognize the existence of ethnic minorities in its territory, though many Greek citizens are nationally self-described as Turks or Macedonians
We request from the government to:
Immediately after the publication of the ultimatum, the Muslim deputy of PASOK Galip Galip, in an interview in newspaper "Proini", revealed his collaborators ("Mr. Dimitras had the initiative") and stresses: "we are Turks, we demand to be called as such". Galip, defying the decrees of the Greek state, refuses to recognize the muftis, the religious leaders of the minority, because as he explains "they are the muftis of the Christians", adding that "we have our own muftis".
Proini: Mr.Galip, after the reactions from the parties and the muftis, have you thought of revising your initial action of demanding with a letter, together with the 2 other deputies, the recognition of Turkish minority in Greece?
Galip: First of all, as far as the muftis are concerned, we as minority do not recognize them, because they are the muftis of the Christians, We have our own muftis and therefore they do not count. I would like to note however, that all the association of the minority have signed the letter to the president of the parliament and the party leaders.
Proini: Can you confirm the information that you withdraw from your initial demand? Is it true?
Galip: No, no.
Proini: You will insist on these positions?
Galip: But it is not the first time, we have again sent such letters.
Proini: Yes, but things now seem more organized, don't they?
Galip: It has always been the standard position of the minority. The difference with other times is that all the minority associations have signed the letter.
Proini: However now the letter is signed not only by Muslim minority associations, but also by various "Macedonian" associations, which demand the recognition of "Macedonian" minority.
Galip: They have their own problems...
Proini: This means that you have a close cooperation...
Galip: Mr.Dimitras of Greek Helsinki Watch had the initiative.
Proini: It is rumored that Turkey is behind your action, is it true?
Galip: Turkey has no involvement. They do their work and we do our own.
Proini: You demand the recognition of Turkish minority in Greece. Aren't you satisfied with the behaviour of the Greek Republic?
Galip: We are a Turkish community. My father was for 10 years president of the Turkish community of Komotini, that was the name. Suddenly, I don't know what they thought, they changed the legislation and abolished the word "Turk". The minority wants to be self-described with this name.
Proini: Do you want to be called Turks and not Muslims?
Galip: The whole minority wants so.
Proini: Mr.Galip, would you like to be self-called the Turk deputy of the Greek Parliament? This is a very subtle issue.
Galip: This is not important at all. We have as a native language the Turkish and it is taught officially in our schools.
Proini: I insist Mr.Galip. Would you like to be called the Turk deputy?
Galip: We are deputies of the Greek parliament. You can call us any way you want.