PRESIDENT
OF SYRIAC FOUNDATION:"SYRIACS ARE HAPPY TO LIVE IN TURKEY"
Keeping their presence with
their own language, beliefs and culture for centuries in the
tolerant ambiance of Anatolia, Syriacs will benefit from various
rights like Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities by adoption of
the new Draft Bill of the Foundations Law prepared by General
Directorate of Foundations.
Many individuals of Syriac community appointed in top positions
within the government in the period of Seljukian and Ottoman
Empires and this community has always been loyal to the
government. However, other than few Syriacs being deceived by
Armenians in the past few years - that there are fanatics in
every community - they still express their loyalty to the
government. It is also a known fact that many Syriac originated
artists are widely acclaimed by the Turkish people. Coskun Sabah
from Elazig and Bedri Ayseli from Diyarbakir are two of these
artists.
President of The Board of Directors of Syriac Catholic
Foundation, Zeki Basatemir made an important statement to weekly
Aksiyon about the position of Syriacs. Z. Basatemir stated,
"the reason of their involvement in Armenian case is due to
the fact that they are Christian", and he added, "Syriacs
have always constituted an obedient community. They have never
had the ambition to establish a state. They would like to live
with other citizens in Turkey at peace".
During the preparation period of Lausanne Treaty, Armenian, Greek
and Jewish representatives living within the boundaries defined
by the National Pact had joined Lausanne negotiations and
determined their status so that they obtained certain rights. On
the other hand, Syriacs did not require to be considered as
minority. Z. Basatemir's views in this respect are as follows:
"Syriacs has always considered themselves close to the
government. Referring to the opinion of the community, the then
religious leader adopted the view 'We don't consider ourselves as
minority, we are a part of this state and this nation'. In the
light of those words, they anticipated not to benefit from the
rights given to minorities. This indicates that Syriacs feel
integrated to Turkish community."
Mainly living in Southeastern region up to 1970, Syriacs began to
immigrate due to bad economic conditions and influence of the PKK
terror in the region. Part of Syriacs who became dense in İstanbul
immigrated to Europe. While emigrating from where they live,
Syriacs left several historic works behind.
President of the Syriac Foundation Z. Basatemir stated that the
most important problem of Syriacs was the issue of foundations
and added that several foundations and properties of foundations
were wasted after Syriacs had emigrated from Southeastern region.
He also stated, "We have priceless foundations in Mardin;
however, when our community has immigrated from Mardin to
Istanbul no community has been left there to benefit from these
foundations. Owing to laws, we cannot sell these properties or
transfer here to make use of them. In contrast, the grants flown
there will be used for the same purposes within borders of the
National Pact by the same community. Currently 5-10 families are
found in Mardin, whereas there are thousands of Syriacs in İstanbul.
We have churches. There are landed properties and shops owned by
the church. With the revenues of those landed properties and
money, churches and monasteries can be restored."
"At a meeting held by Governorship three months ago, we
proposed a legal status for gathering all the Syriac foundations
under one representative body, thus protection and restoration of
historic works of Syriacs would be possible", stated Z.
Basatemir.
Saying that they cannot predict the position of Syriacs if the
new Draft Bill of the Foundations Law, which is currently on the
agenda of the government, is approved, President of Syriac
Foundation Z. Basatemir emphasized in the last part of his
statement, "Regarding our political view, as the Syriac
community we are happy to live in Turkey and being Turkish
citizen. We do not want privileged rights. We do not want
anything other than our minority rights."
The Draft Bill that allows Syriacs to benefit from the rights of
communities having a 'minority' status was welcomed by Syriacs in
Turkey and abroad. Bahro Suryoyo Journal of Sweden has also
announced this subject matter to its readers. In the meantime, it
has been learnt that several Syriac individuals, institutions and
organizations sent messages of appreciation to authorities of the
Republic of Turkey.
As it may be reminded, in a circular issued a short time ago by
the Prime Minister of Turkey Bülent Ecevit, it has been stated
that Syriacs who were obliged to immigrate because of the PKK
terrorism can return to their villages. The new Draft Bill of the
Foundations Law includes considerable articles in favor of
Syriacs. As Syriacs, we are grateful to Turkish government.