In fact, the information that those who fabricated this paranoia had in hand did not support a state of panic. A document from the National Security Council (MGK) undersigned by Şükrü Sarıışık and dated Nov. 17, 2003 noted that the missionary and minority threat was pretty grave and that this threat was pointing to the unitary state itself. The threat was underlined but the concrete evidence that referred to the dimensions of this threat and danger referred to a completely different situation. Furthermore, this was spelled out in the same document.
The document provided some numbers of missionaries active in Turkey in 2000: “As of 2000, there are 54 missionaries, 45 foreigners and nine Turks, active in Turkey.” True, the number of missionaries who were threatening the unitary structure of the state of Turkey was just 54. A 40-page report was drafted on these 54 people. In other words, there was no danger that would lead to a state of paranoia at all. If you take a look at those who created this fuss over missionaries, those who exaggerated this danger and created this climate, you will see the current Ergenekon suspects, like those who followed the actions of Hrant Dink, who threatened him, harassed him in court and displayed placards that read, “Hrant: son of missionary.” This matter was extensively covered by Adem Yavuz Arslan in his book, “Bi Ermeni var: Hrant Dink Operasyonunun Şifreleri” (There’s this Armenian: The Codes of the Dink Operation).
For instance, the book noted that a report by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce led by Sinan Aygün, another Ergenekon suspect, on the activities of missionaries argued that Turkey was a target of missionary activities. The report claims: “The missionary activities which were presented as actions to spread Christianity in the beginning now seek to undermine the unitary structure of the state. Their activities intensify in the Black Sea and Southeast regions.” Aygün said that in those days harmonization laws promoted missionary activity in Turkey.
EU membership bid targeted
In other words, it appeared that one of the targets was the EU membership bid. The said report also presented a survey on missionaries in 2003: “In 2003, 190 missionary activities were detected. To this end, more than 300 churches, a number of bookstores, one library, six journals, a number of foundations and publications, five radio stations, many monasteries, two cafes, one agency, seven corporations, one translation house, seven newspapers, one historical artifact, two museums and a number of associations were spotted.” Let us set aside these exaggerated numbers and the unwise claims that they had historical artifacts and museums. Did you ever hear of such a statistical study? This is obviously a study of intelligence; and even if you assume that this information is true, only intelligence units hold information such as what cafe belongs to who and what hotel is run by a missionary. Arslan wrote in his book that this information overlapped with the information provided in the document by the MGK’s General Secretariat on March 12, 2003. Let us continue. It was Jan. 23, 2002. The Agos weekly was classified as dangerous by the General Staff’s Psychological Warfare Unit. A report Col. İsmet Kayfaz referred to the chair of the unit had unveiled that Agos and its columnists were monitored and kept under surveillance. These columnists included me. I wrote an article on this document for the Taraf daily. Frankly, it was not pleasant to see my name and one of my columns as an example in that document. Why does an army of a country keep under surveillance a national paper while that is not its mission or job?
But this is nothing new or surprising for Turkey. It later became apparent that Father Andrea Santoro, who was killed in 2006, was reviewed by the Gendarmerie Intelligence Review Unit in 2003 and 2004 and that detailed reports were drafted on his actions. The report argued that missionaries used the opportunities and freedoms provided by the EU harmonization laws and that Father Santoro, a priest at the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Trabzon, was engaging in missionary activity.
Using children under the age of 18
For some reason, all the people referred to in such reports and documents, including Santoro, Dink and the Malatya victims, were killed. In all these three cases, kids younger than 18 were used. Even the methods and styles displayed consistency.
Now let us keep this in mind and go back to the “climate” aspect of this matter. Those who were on the target list and the conscientious people of this country were aware of the plot. A handful of people were trying to practice their faith in Turkey. Their only crime was that they were Christian. The plotters were well aware that this danger was not real. However, the plot of paranoia worked. All TV stations and papers contributed to the spread of the paranoia. As I noted in my previous column, some ministers in the Cabinet, which was the actual target, and even the Religious Affairs Directorate contributed to this process via their attitudes and general preferences.
Of course, there was a deep structure, along with its goals and murders, out there. But this nation did not act prudently to abort this plot. The circles and groups that were on Ergenekon’s target list were used through media, nationalism and prejudice.
A deep structure killed Dink. But how will we explain the negligence that set reason and conscience aside during the process that resulted in his murder? Why were numerous intelligence reports ignored? Why was Hrant not protected? How were the Santoro and Malatya murders committed? How did the intelligence units of this country miss all these?
Let us say that every unit had Ergenekon extensions which manipulated these units, but why did the government, which had stated that the Dink murder also targeted the political administration as well, not extend full support to this legal case? Why did the legal process end with a scandalous decision?
At this point we have to admit the painful truth and realize that there is a poisonous unification of agreement on some issues. There is no other explanation for Ergenekon to have fallen for the trap of “missionaries and Armenians.” And this remains a problem. This further prevents the solution of the Dink murder and keeps the possibility for other plots on the table.
In a country where the Islamic faith is so strong, I am surprised to see that the overall outlook is in stark contrast with Islamic values and precepts because the holy book of Islam, the Quran, says in verse 135 of Surah Nisa: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be [against] rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts [of your hearts], lest you swerve, and if you distort [justice] or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.”
And verse 22 of Surah Rum says: “And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors: Verily in that are Signs for those who know.”
Indeed it is.
