EVENTS OF THE YEAR
In the last issue of 2002, we wanted to have a walk among the news of the year. What we did, what we lived…


January 2002- Issue 43

Celebration of the 29th of January
The 14th anniversary of 29th January 1988 was celebrated in Komotini Youth Association. Besides the members of the Consultative Committee of Western Thrace Turkish Minority and the representatives of all the other Turkish associations, too many kinsmen took their part in the ceremony organized on Tuesday, 29 January.

BILMER-Activated
Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association-Young Academician's Club-Computer Center (BILMER) was opened on Tuesday 15th January with an opening ceremony.

It was stated that two instructors were going to train the students of primary, secondary and high school levels and university students and graduates in computer center.

There were too many guests in the opening ceremony.


Sentence Of Closing Down Was Ratified In The Case Of Ksanthi Turkish Union
The Court of Appeal in Thrace released the decision about the Ksanthi Turkish Union on 25 of January that was sent to the court by Supreme Court with the decision 1530/2000 to discuss again on Dec 8, 2000.

According to the decision, The Court of Appeal ratified the accuracy of its previous decision.

The lawyer Sebahattin Emin stated that the following path would be again the Supreme Court.


February 2002- Issue 44

No Gold!
The people once more were against to the Australian firm's project about gold mining with cyanide around Perama village.

2000 people joined to the protest meeting organized by Rodop -Evros fight group on Sunday, 10 February.

A large group of people and representatives of non-governmental organizations in Thrace joined to the protest meeting in Komotini.


March 2002-Issue 45

Women-Day Celebrated
8 March-Women -day was celebrated with many activities arranged by different organizations in Western Thrace. Women came together in a tea party organized by Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association Women's Club in association building. Turkish Union of Ksanthi-Women's Club arranged a dinner at a restaurant.

Turkey- Rumelia Turks Culture and Solidarity Association organized a panel discussion related to Women-Day. There were women representatives from Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Ilknur Chalil and Sevil Sherif were the representatives of Western Thrace at the panel discussion.

Nazim Hikmet Commemorated
Famous Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet was commemorated with an activity at Law School of Dimokritos University on Saturday, 9 March.

Nazim Hikmet was commemorated with his poems during the ceremony organized by Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association and Rodopi Women Association.

At commemoration night, Esin Afsar sang Nazim Hikmet's poems and Ayse Yaltirim (N. Hikmet's niece) shared her memories about Nazim with the audience. Her son Murat Germen described Nazim in his speech.

25 March Celebrated
One of the most important national festivals of the country-"25 March National Independence Day" was celebrated around and outside the country.

Parades and speeches related to the importance of the day were made during the ceremonies.

A large group of people and higher officials joined to the ceremonies organized in our region.


April 2002-Issue 46

Heavy Traffic of Ministers in Western Thrace
In Recent days because of coming elections there has been heavy traffic of ministers in Western Thrace.
The first visitor of our region was Minister of Justice Petsalnikos at the beginning of April. Minister Petsalnikos was in Komotini to join a Conference organized by the students of Dimokritos University-Law School.

On Saturday, April 13 the Minister of Interior Kostas Skandalidis visited our region. He started his visit from Ksanthi and came together with local authorities and listened to their problems and demands. Then, he visited village Seleron and made a speech there.

The other visitor of the region on Saturday, April 13 was the Minister of Development Akis Chohatzopoulos. The minister was here for a day-trip and firstly visited the hydroelectric plant in the Industrial Area of Komotini. Then, he made a speech in the province meeting-room and in the press conference he informed journalists about the investments on energy.

Turkish Ambassador in Western Thrace
Turkish Ambassador Yigit Alpogan visited Western Thrace between the dates 24-27 April. During his stay in Western Thrace he visited both local authorities and Turkish villages and he met with intense interest of Turkish people.

During his visit Consul-General Huseyin Avni Botsali accompanied him.

He got in touch with government officials and visited Yaka region of Komotini and mountainous and plain villages in Ksanthi.

Prosperous Week of Birth
Western Thrace Turkish Minority Sermon and Enlightenment Committee organized panel discussions in different villages both in Komotini and Ksanthi.

The first panel discussion of this year was held on Saturday, April 20 in Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association meeting room in Komotini, and the second one was held on 21 April in Ksanthi Turkish Union building.

The panel discussions were repeated on Wednesday, April 24 in village Ehinos in Ksanthi and on Friday, April 26 in Kehroz village in Komotini.


May 2002-Issue 47

Constancy in Friendship and Cooperation
The governor of Edirne, Fahri Yucel and a large committee visited Komotini upon the invitation of Governor of Rodopi between the dates 24-25 May.

In response to visit of the governor of Rodopi, Stergios Stavropoulos and Greek Committee to Edirne beforehand, the governor Fahri Yucel, Deputy Selim Parlar, Rector of Thrace University, Prof. Dr. Osman Inci and the Chairmen of different associations were here.

After official meetings the two counties' representatives divided into groups and worked together to improve the possibilities of labor unions.

Friendship Blew in Celebrations of May 14
The 82nd anniversary of the Independence Day of Komotini was celebrated with ceremonies as it before.

HOY-TUR from Turkey joined to this year's celebrations and impressed the audience with their magnificent demonstrations.

The Turkish group made its first demonstration on Sunday, May 12 in village Kalhas. The group showed figures from Black-Sea, Artvin, Adiyaman, Silivri, and Bilicik Regions.

The speeches made during the ceremonies consisted of friendship themes.

Thrace 2002 Trade Exhibition Organized
The 11th Thrace 2002 Trade Exhibition was opened in the industrial Area of Komotini on May 22, Wednesday. In the Exhibition there were agricultural machines and products, furniture, construction materials, electrical equipments, textile productions and stands of different organizations.

It drew attention that there were many participants from Turkey. Edirne, Balikesir, Izmir Chambers of Industry, East-West Thrace Municipalities Union "Trakyakent-Polis' had their stands in exhibition. Many businessmen visited the exhibition.

There were stands of members of Western Thrace Turkish Minority in the exhibition also: Faik Furniture, Dior Stores, Yusuf Furniture, Lassa and Karbosan, Molla Achmet Mechmet's Iron Trade.

Penalty of Mufti of Ksanthi was Cancelled
Greek High Court cancelled the decision of Larisa Court about the Mufti of Ksanthi, Mechmet Emin Aga.

Athens News Agency (ANA) announced that, according to the Greek High Court decision in accordance with the European Convention on human Rights, Article 9 Aga didn't commit a crime.

Members of Young Academician's Club met in Eskisehir
Members of Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association Young Academician's Club met in a congress organized in Eskisehir between the dates 25-26 May. Students from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Eskisehir joined to the Congress that was held in Conference Room of Eskisehir Osmangazi University.

In the framework of the activities of Congress a panel discussion was organized on " From Past Till Today the Social Construction in Western Thrace" on Saturday, May 25. The speakers were Ilknur Chalil (Director General of the Periodical Voice of Teacher) and Prof. Dr. Cihat Ozonder, Head of KOK Social and Strategical Investigations Vakf.

On Sunday, May 26 members of Young Academician's Club shared their opinions on future planning in Western Thrace. At the end of the Congress, the students divided into groups to work effectively in future.

Traditional Cross Country Race
Komotini Youth Association organized Traditional Cross Country Race as it has been for 16 years on May 19, Sunday.

After the races in five categories the Board of Komotini Youth Association gave the successful sportsmen their awards. Then, the traditional folk dancers' demonstration attracted interest of people.

Handicraft Exhibitions
Ksanthi Turkish Union and Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association Handicrafts classes organized their traditional exhibitions and demonstrated their works that they did during their classes.


June 2002-Issue 48

Results of Writing Competition
Award ceremony of writing competition Ogretmenın Sesı among secondary school students was held on Saturday, June 15. The subject of the competition was "Friendship, Peace and Brotherhood in The World in New Century"

The winner of the competition, Meltem Tahsin (Celal Bayar Minority High School, 2nd Grade), the second winner Aysel Cambaz (Muzaffer Salihoglu Minority High School, 2nd Grade) and the third winner Pervin Tuccar (Muzaffer Salihoglu Minority High School, 2nd Grade) have been awarded with a computer, Encyclopedia and Story books, respectively. All the joined students have got presents. Totally 68 students participated in the competition and compositions were examined by 7-people commission. Sakir Guven- Turkish Literature Teacher of Celal Bayar Minority High School, Huseyin Mustafa- Teacher of Philosophy of Muzaffer Salihoglu Minority High School, Rasim Hint, Sevim Kadioglu, Tunalp Mechmet, Saadettin Sakir and Ilknur Chalil were the members of the commission.

Balkan Turks Met in Manisa
University of Celal Bayar Manisa Region Turkish History and Culture Investigation and Application Center organized a symposium on "The existence of Turks in Balkans" between the dates 20-22 June.

A great number of scientists from Bulgaria, Greece, Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, and Turkey participated in the symposium in the University of Celal Bayar Suleyman Demirel Convention Center.

Participants from Western Tharce were Ibrahim Serif- elected Mufti of Komotini, Ilknur Chalil- Director General of the periodical Voice of Teacher-Sociologist, and Orhan Ismail- one of the writers of Voice of Teacher. Second Cherry Festival

2nd Cherry Festival organized by Sosti Municipality was held between the dates 7-9 June. There were much more people in the Festival that was started on Friday , June 7 in the stadium of Asomati village than the previous one.

Along the dates of the festival singers impressed the audience with their songs and the folk demonstrations were fascinating.

Besides many activities of the Festival "Balkan Youth Football Tournament" was organized. There were approximately 20000 people and Muazzez Abaci and Ekrem Ataer gave concerts and the honorary guests of the Festival were Cem Karaca, weight-lifter Naim Suleymanaoglu and Ayse Ozgun.

Pedals For Friendship
A group of Turkish and Greek bicycle riders cycled from Greece to Turkey to make positive contributions to Greek-Turkish friendship. The trip started on Monday, June 3 in front of Mustafa Kemal's house in Thessaloniki and finished in front of Dolmabahce Palace-the place of death of Ataturk on Wednesday, June 7.

The riders reached Komotini on Tuesday, June 4. The riding lasted 4 days and organized in contribution with PAOK and Istanbulspor.


July 2002- Issue 49

Dr. Sadik Ahmet Was Commemorated on the 7th Anniversary of His Death.
Rodopi Independent Member of Parliament- The Former and The First Director General of Friendship, Equality, And Peace Political Party, Dr. Sadik Ahmet was commemorated in the graveyard on the 7th anniversary of his death.

After the ceremony religious chants was organized in Old Mosque.

Minister Resat Dogru- Representative of Turkish Parliament, Huseyin Avni Botsali- Turkish Consulate General, Turkish Parliamentarians, Buraucrats and a huge amount of people joined to the ceremony in the graveyard.

The same day's evening Friendship, Equality, Peace Party arranged a dinner to honor the guests. Besides the guest committee and the representatives of Turkish minority, Governor of Rodopi-Stergios Stavropulos, Candidate Governors Aris Yannakidis and Mihalis Athanasiadis and candidate Mayor Kimon Kaldirimcis joined to the dinner.

In their speeches governor Stavropulos and minister Dogru gave friendship and peace messages.

Turkish Committee's Contacts in Western Thrace
Turkish Minister Resat Dogru and Turkish Parliamentarians and Bureaucrats who came in Thrace to join the 7th anniversary ceremonies of Dr. Sadik Ahmet's death got in touch with government officials during their stay in Western Thrace. They first visited Secretariat General of East Macedonia-Thrace Region then the province of Rodopi and different organizations.

Turkish Ministry of Culture Folk Dancers were in Sappes
Traditional Cultural Activities of Sappes Municipality started on Tuesday, July 25.

Municipality of Sappes invited Turkish Republic Ministry of Culture Youth folk dancers and folk singers again. Turkish dancers were wached with a great interest of the audience on Tuesday, August 1 at Dimitrios Tsetines Amphitheatre.

Turkish folk dancers demonstrated an impressive feast to the audience and showed figures from Silivri, Kars, Silifke and Artvin regions. Besides folk dancers singers of Ministry of Culture, Arzu Celik, Zafer Albayrak and Serap Yukruk made people enjoy themselves with their songs. Serap Yukruk sang a song both in Turkish and in Greek and was applauded very much.

An undesirable event occurred at the end of the day. 10-15 people attacked on the Turkish group and two of the dancers were injured. Police intervened the belligerent people.

Cultural Feast in Yalova
Yalova Folklore Training Center (YAFEM) made people came together in Yalova by organizing the 5th Turkish Tribes Cultural Feast between the dates 12-21 June.

During the 10-day feast folk dancers from different countries demonstrated their figures to the thousands of people.

In the feast discussion-meetings were organized. Sociologist Ilknur Halil who made a speech on "Western Thrace and Turks in Balkans" and Journalist Gulten Abdullah were the representatives of Western Thrace and Romania Turks in the feast. The same day a stand was opened in the Education Center and the periodical Voice of Teacher introduced to the people. Folk dancers from Bulgaria, Prizren, Romania, Moldavia, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, the Crimea and Macedonia joined to the feast.

We Lost The Mayor of Komotini
The mayor of Komotini, Georgios Papadriellis had died on August 9 because of cancer. The funeral of Papadriellis brought in the Church of Evangelismos Tis Theotokou on 11th August, Sunday at 10.30 o' clock. After the funeral ceremony he was buried to the Graveyard of Komotini.

He was a hard-working, honest politician and was the mayor of Komotini in the last 12 years.


August 2002-Issue 50

Activities…
We witnessed many activities on August and September. Thousands of people came together in those activities in the name of friendship, unity and harmony.

At the beginning of August High Plato Festival was organized by Secek Educational and Cultural Association.

The 650 years traditional festival started with a religious chant on August 2, Friday in Korinvos village. The participation of Turkish Consul-General, Huseyin Avni Botsali to the festival was a big surprise for the people of region. Ministry of Culture folk dancers and folk singers and wrestlers from Turkey and Bulgaria were among the guests.

The third-day feast was on the high-plateau of Secek. Turkish and Greek politicians and a large group of people watched the last day of the festival.

After the Secek festival another traditional activity was organized in Alantepe. Wresters from Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece participated in the activity on 30 August-1 September.

The famous Turkish singer Sukriye Tutkun impressed the audience with her songs. Alantepe Educational and Cultural Association and Hemetli Sub-district organized the festival and Vice Minister Interior Stavros Benos, Turkish Consul-General, Secretary General of the region Aris Papadopulos and a lot of Turkish and Greek politicians, representatives of associations and approximately 7.000 people watched the festival.

Two More Proposals from Galip Galip -Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament and Head of High Consultative Committee of Western Thrace Turkish Minority, Galip Galip offered two proposals to the Greek National assembly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense. In his proposals Galip Galip mentioned about people from Western Thrace living in Turkey and young people who faced with difficulties about their military services. In his proposal Galip Galip asked to Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Western Thrace Turkish people living in Turkey faced with some difficulties while getting visa from Greek Consulates Generals in Turkey. In his second proposal to Ministry of National Defense he asked about the Young people who were born in Greece but because of studying abroad they faced with difficulties about their military services. He asked the officials of Greek Consulates Generals to give them passports to come to Greece in order to do their military services. Related to the subject he wanted the application of Ministerial decision number 3036/2002 in the Consulates Generals.

Livaneli and Faranduri were in Sapes
In the framework of August Cultural activities in Sapes Zulfu Livaneli and Maria Faranduri gave a concert on Sunday, August 25.

The unforgettable concert lasted approximately two hours. There was an audience of 5.000 in the concert that was held in the Theatre of Dimitrios Tsetines.


September 2002-Issue 51

Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreu visited the Region
Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Papandreu visited Western Thrace on September 17-18.

Minister Papandreu got in contact with many officials and joined the ceremony of laying the foundation of the new building of Celal Bayar Minority High School. After the ceremony of Celal Bayar Minority High School the Minister went to Iasmos to open Iasmos Minority Primary School.

After the Elections
At the end of the local elections the new local authorities for the next four years were determined. Governor and most of the mayors were selected in the first week of the elections but in some regions the elections were repeated.

For the minority municipalities Filira and Arriana the elections finished in the first week but that of in Sosti and Miki were held again. In Rodopi PASOK and Leftist Agreement Party's list "Unity-Formation-Hope" won the elections. Aris Yannakidis became the governor by getting 57.27 % of the votes.

European Court of Human Rights

ECHR explained the decision about the case that Aga, elected Mufti of Ksanthi opened against Greece in 1999.

In the decision released on September 17 the court explained that Mehmet Emin Aga had been prosecuted unfairly.

The Greek government's attitudes towards the religious freedoms of its citizens were against to the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 9 and sentenced Greece because of violation the mentioned article.


October 2002-Issue 52

The elections of School's Administrative Committees on December 12
The date of elections of School's Administrative Committees was determined at last as December 12.

In the official document sent by the Secretary General of East Macedonia & Thrace Region to the Turkish schools it was stated that the elections of the administrative committees would be held on Tuesday December 12 between 08:00-17:00 o' clock at schools

Elections would be held in accordance with the code of law 694/77 article 6, with the Ministerial Decision number 62094/10-6-2002.

It was also stated that if the candidates had been less than 5 people the elections would not have been done.

28 October Was Celebrated
The 62nd anniversary of 28 October National Day was celebrated across the country and in the offices in foreign countries.

Turkish Primary, Secondary, and High School students joined to the parade of 28 October.

29 October Was Celebrated
The 79th anniversary of the foundation of Turkish Republic celebrated in Turkey and in Turkish offices in foreign countries.

The 79th birthday of Turkish Republic was celebrated with a reception given by Turkish Consul-General Huseyin Avni Botsali and his wife Inci Botsali.

Approximately 1.500 Turkish and Greek guests joined to the reception at Chris & Eve Hotel.

58th Government Established
Justice and Developmental party won the elections with a high percentage of votes, 35% and had 362 members of parliament in the elections of 3 November. The Republic People Party had 179 Members of Parliament. There were 9 Independent Members.

After the elections the president Ahmet Necdet Sezer assigned Abdullah Gul -vice chair of the party to form the government and Mr. Gul established the 58th government of Turkey.


November 2002-Issue 53

Ataturk Commemorated on His 64th Death Anniversary
The founder of Turkish Republic, great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk commemorated on his death's 64th anniversary in a ceremony at Turkish Republic Consulate General of Komotini.

Head of the High Consultative Committee of Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Member of Parliament- Galip Galip, Member of Parliament- Ahmet Mehmet, The elected Mufti of Ksanthi- Mehmet Emin Aga, The elected Mufti of Komotini- Ibrahim Serif, Members of the Consultative Committee of Western Thrace Turkish Minority, Mayors, Members of the administrative Boards of the Associations, Members of Provincial Assembly and Municipality Assembly, Teachers and Students joined to the ceremony.

Teachers Day Celebrated
24 November Teachers Day was celebrated with a ceremony in the meeting room of the Union of Western Thrace Turkish Teachers. The head of the Union made a speech about the meaning of the day, students read poems to their teachers.

After the ceremony all the members of the Union and guests joined to a dinner at Panorama Restaurant in Iasmos.

Children's Club Moved to a New Building
Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association Children's Club started to new school year in its new building.

The Club introduced to the guests with a ceremony.

Henceforth, students also will learn computer and folk dances in new building.

Friendship Blew From Balkans
A Balkan-Musics Concert organized by the Municipality of Komotini- Center of Public activities on Friday, November 30 a Dimokritos University.

Singers from Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Greece fascinated people with their songs.

The Provincial Assembly of Rodopi Rejected the Gold Project.
The provincial assembly rejected the project named "Effects to Environment" with unanimity on Tuesday, November 14.

The harmful effects of gold mining were discussed in the meeting. The representatives of political parties stated that they were against the project, too.

Our Problems Announced to the Authorities
The Consultative Committee prepared a mail related to the problems of Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Head of the Committee and Member of Parliament, Galip Galip submitted the letter to Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreu, and Minister of Interior Kostas Skandalidis.