ABTTF President: “We wish this approach which otherises us and sees us as a ‘threat’ in the politics and media of our country to stop.”
The news that the Xanthi Turkish Union (XTU) and the Culture and Education Foundation of Western Thrace Minority (PEKEM) had donated tablet computers to pupils in need in the Western Thrace region to be used within the framework of distance education in Greece led to some discomfort within the Greek press.
In the news-commentary which was published in the news website news.break.gr regarding the issue and with the title “Xanthi Turkish Union distributed tablets and laptops”, it is alleged that Western Thrace Turks are in the hands of Turkish propaganda and those who defend it. The news-commentary said that not only the current but all the (Greek) governments had forgotten this region, suggesting that this was an opportunity for a glorious victory for those with other plans for the region.
As it can be recalled, an oxygen concentrator was bought by Xanthi Municipality thanks to the donations that were collected from businessmen belonging to the Turkish community in Western Thrace and within the initiatives taken by the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association (WTMUGA) in the month of December within the framework of the measures to combat the new type coronavirus (Covid-19) and was delivered to the Xanthi State Hospital. (http://birlikgazetesi.org/hastaneye-62-500-euroluk-oksijen-jeneratoru-bagisladilar/). The said donations were criticised in the Greek press and there were demands for the immediate return of the oxygen concentrator (http://maxitisthrakis.blogspot.com/2020/12/blog-post_65.html).
“As Western Thrace Turks, once again we have been subjected to unfounded accusations emanating from the Greek press. Our oldest association, the Xanthi Turkish Union, which donated tablet computers by thus showing an example of solidarity during this difficult period when we are fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic, was targeted by being accused of spreading Turkish propaganda. A simple thank you message to our businessmen which donated an oxygen concentrator to the Xanthi State Hospital was even seen as too much by the authorities. We do not understand the prejudice against us in our country Greece and wish this approach which otherises us and sees us as a ‘threat’ in the politics and media to stop”, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
