Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Sept 28 2007
Controversial `YouTube’ song to be taken to EP
In a draft resolution prepared by Dutch Member of the European
Parliament (MEP) Ria Oomen-Ruijten, European Parliament deputies have
asked for singer Ýsmail Türüt and folk poet Ozan Arif to be
condemned.
Three Italian Christian Democrat MEPs tabled an amendment asking the
parliament to condemn the song and its lyrics, which they claim
incite hatred and animosity. Italian Christian Democrats Antonio
Tajani, Jas Gawronski and Mario Mauro proposed an amendment, stating:
"We are concerned about the spreading of the song sung by Ýsmail
Türüt, whose lyrics were written by folk poet Ozan Arif.’
The statement continues, `The song praises the murder of [Hrant] Dink
and we strongly condemn it. We welcome immediate action by Turkish
authorities against this incitement to hatred against Christians and
Armenians.’
The three deputies want their amendment to be included in the draft
resolution prepared by Dutch Christian Democrat Oomen-Ruijten. The
draft will be discussed at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee
on Oct. 3 and is expected to be voted on Nov. 14. Ýsmail Türüt’s song
`Plan Yapmayýn Plan’ (Do not make plans) includes phrases which have
been interpreted as xenophobic and praising those who murdered
Armenian-Turkish journalist Dink. It gained prominence after a video
containing images of the murdered Dink, amongst other things, was set
to it and uploaded on YouTube. Investigations are pending against
both Türüt and songwriter Arif.
`Genocide’ amendments tabled again
Oomen-Ruijten, who has been resisting attempts to make a reference to
the `Armenian genocide,’ has been under intense attack from many
Armenian lobbies. Despite Oomen-Ruijten’s calls to not distort the
balances in the draft report, many French and Polish deputies have
proposed various amendments asking Turkey to recognize the
`genocide.’ Sources say Oomen-Ruijten continues to resist and there
is a possibility that the amendments could be withdrawn. Members of
the Socialist, Liberal and Green parties are expected to give their
support, but experts say Oomen-Ruijten should convince her own group,
the Christian Democrats.
28.09.2007
SELÇUK GÜLTAÞLI BRUSSELS
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress