BBC New, UK
Jan 20 2007
Turkish press outrage over shooting
Mr Dink said he had received numerous death threats
Turkish newspapers express deep shock and anger at the murder in
Istanbul of one of the country’s most prominent Armenian voices, the
journalist Hrant Dink.
Several commentators predict the killing could spark a political
crisis; many also express concern about its potential international
repercussions.
HEADLINES IN MILLIYET
Hrant Dink Murdered: The Murderer Is a Traitor … It Was Turkey That
Was Shot Dead.
HEADLINE ON COLUMN BY HADI ULUENGIN IN HURRIYET
Ahparik, Ahparik! [Armenian for "brother"]
CAN DUNAR IN MILLIYET
Tsidesutyun Paregamis! [Farewell My Friend!] … You at least
achieved in death what you were striving for in life. Look, last
night all walked in front of the paper chanting ‘we all are Hrant, we
all are Armenians,’ something you spent a lifetime to see.
GUNGOR URAS IN MILLIYET
[Dink’s] murder will make the solution of the Turkish-Armenian
problem more intractable both at home and abroad. Our laws and
justice system have cornered one of our Armenian citizens who could
have contributed to the solution of the Armenian problem. He was
murdered by dark forces.
ILNUR CEVIK IN THE NEW ANATOLIAN
For some time we were hearing gossip that some people who have
angered the ultra-conservatives may be the targets of a new campaign
of violence. We were told that, unlike in the past, the death squads
are acting independently and are not linked or controlled by state
bodies. We hope the security forces and intelligence network does a
swift job to catch the culprit or culprits who are trying to push
Turkey into a spiral of violence. If this is done, the credibility of
the government and the image of Turkey can be saved.
YUSUF KANLI IN TURKISH DAILY NEWS
Whatever the motive behind the attack was and whoever the killer is,
Turkey and Armenia have both lost a very important son today, someone
who was trying to contribute to building bridges of peace and
understanding between his homeland Turkey and Armenia.
SAHIN ALPAY IN ZAMAN
[Dink’s murder was] a major blow to Turkey, Turkishness and humanity
… No greater insult could have been made against Turkey and the
Turkish identity. No greater blow could have been dealt to Turkish
democracy and Turkey’s international prestige. This murder, which was
committed by the true enemies of Turkishness, will unfortunately cost
Turkey very dearly.
NUH GONULTAS IN BUGUN
A section in Turkey that has run of out ammunition ahead of the
presidential election has taken steps to plunge Turkey into a crisis.
TAHA AKYOL IN MILLIYET
[Dink’s murder was] barbaric, cruel, and monstrous; politically an
act of lumpen nationalistic hatred.
MEHMET ALI BIRAND IN TURKISH DAILY NEWS
Hrant Dink symbolised tolerance. Those who shot at him have no idea
that they also shot at Turkey. Just wait and see how this will
resonate outside. The United States, France and other European
countries will send proposals on the Armenians’ genocide and will
just rush them through. Turkey will be blamed for everything.
Newspapers will write about how Turkish people could not tolerate a
liberal journalist of Armenian origin. Can there be any greater harm
to our country? Shame on them. Hrant Dink will continue to live in
our hearts.
CENGIZ CANDAR IN REFERANS
The people running this country should emerge from this affair by
paying a big price and by making not so much the trigger man but
those behind him pay the price. Whatever happens this fact is not
going to change: Turkey without Hrant has become an orphan. Hrant
Dink was murdered. Turkey was shot.