Outrageous accusation from Daily Paratiritis against ABTTF

Daily Paratiritis made news about the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) on July 30th, 2009. As might be recalled, ABTTF had criticized Dimitris Stamatis, Secretary General of the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace, due to his response to the news “Stamatis: to be removed from the office immediately” published in the daily Birlik. Following the indignation letter of ABTTF, daily Paratiritis made an outrageous accusation and claimed that Umit Yardım, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Stuttgart, is the main figure behind the indignation letter of ABTTF. In the news, it was stated that Yardim, who officiated in Western Thrace five years ago, was one of the leading civil servants that served the interests of the Turkish Republic in the region, adding that according to the Greek authorities, main reason behind the recent activities of ABTTF was the insistence of the aforementioned person (Yardim) to strengthen the Turkish identity and Turkish concept in Thrace. In the news, it was underlined that ABTTF having a serious technical knowledge and budget was an observer not only at the United Nations, but also at the Council of Europe, stressing that ABTTF was actually very “active” recently.

Habipoglu: ABTTF is a NGO, independent from politics and bureaucracy

About the issue, Halit Habipoglu, President of ABTTF, stated that “Paratiritis, that feels uncomfortable due to the successful activities of ABTTF, made an outrageous accusation against it. Claiming that the reason behind our indignation letter addressed to Secretary General of the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace is the support of Umit Yardim, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Stuttgart, is another outrageous accusation. ABTTF condemns that outrages and false accusation. ABTTF is an umbrella organization that was establiehed in 1988 as a result of long lasting efforts of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace living in Germany. Today, ABTTF connects 5100 Greek citizens with Turkish origin from Western Thrace and has 30 member associations. As a pluralist, libertarian, democratic and law abiding organization, ABTTF is independent from political parties and governments. The main reason of existence of ABTTF is to be concerned with the problems of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and to find solutions for its problems. ABTTF has achieved a corporate identity and become a prestigious organization at international platforms. Reasons behind the efficient and successful activities of ABTTF are the second and third generation members of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace who work at high level positions in Germany and the voluntary activities and great support of Western Thrace Turkish Minority members living in other European countries. Today, including the members of the ABTTF Executive Board, our members work voluntarily. Works coordinated by the ABTTF Executive Board elected by the ABTTF Assembly of Delegates, brought that success. It is not fair to seek either an institution or a person behind that success.”