Celebs support petition campaign
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Asli Saglam
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 26, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Following the decision that the Turkish government has not met its contractual commitments for the Ilısu Dam, the State Water Works, or DSİ, was given six more months. Before the period ends on July 6, Doğa Derneği accelerates its campaign to save the historic Hasankeyf.
As fears of losing the historic town of Hasankeyf to the Ilısu Dam water project increase, Doğa Derneği (Nature Society) has accelerated its campaign to save the ancient settlement.
Since its first effort to create public awareness through a train tour three year’s ago, Doğa Derneği has included many well-known names in its campaign to save Hasankeyf, one of the most charming historic sites in eastern Turkey.
"We cooperated with monthly Atlas magazine and collected 70,000 signatures to save Hasankeyf back then," said Doğa Derneği campaign coordinator Erkut Ertürk. The German, Swiss and Austrian funding the dam project have considered withdrawing their support as a result of the increasing protests against the construction of the dam.
Last year, with Turkish pop star Tarkan’s contributions, Doğa Derneği launched an office in Hasankeyf with the mission statement: "We’ll do everything to save Hasankeyf from being submerged under the water of Tigris River." Ertürk said the group’s aim was "to propose an alternative argument to funding countries and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is the final person to decide on this subject."
Doğa Derneği and Atlas magazine came together for another Hasankeyf petition May 14, this time including Tarkan and famous musician Orhan Gencabay. The petition demanded the Tigris Valley, which includes Hasankeyf, to be deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "This petition says ’Yes.’ This is a much more positive campaign that we are leading. We don’t use the word ’No,’" said the campaign coordinator.
10,000 signed the petition
The petition has been signed by nearly 10,000 people so far. It will be delivered to Erdoğan, German Prime Minister Angela Merkel, Austrian Prime Minister Werner Faymann and Swiss Prime Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz.Ertürk. Tarkan met with Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay and presented a report that proves Hasankeyf can qualify as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"Tarkan, with his prudential vision, has helped Doğa Derneği carry its voice to the international field," Ertürk said and added, "The petition will not be over until Dicle Valley and Hasankeyf are declared world heritage sites."
Hasankeyf is not only a 10,000-year-old town but also home to many endangered species. In addition to saving Hasankeyf, Doğa Derneği also aims to create an example for other similar projects.
Güven Eken, chairman of Doğa Derneği, Ertürk and Tarkan are traveling to Berlin to hold an Ilısu Summit with representatives of the World Bank, Iraqi wetlands establishments, Swiss, Austrian and German nongovernmental organizations, and Batman Mayor Nejdet Atalay on May 28.
After the evaluation report revealed Turkey had not met its contractual commitments for the dam, the commission gave the State Water Works, or DSİ, six more months before it would lose funding. This period ends July 6.
Hasankeyf will be submerged under 135 meters of water if the proposed Ilısu Dam project goes ahead. The planned project might provide an estimated 2 percent of Turkey’s electricity needs.
Since its first effort to create public awareness through a train tour three year’s ago, Doğa Derneği has included many well-known names in its campaign to save Hasankeyf, one of the most charming historic sites in eastern Turkey.
"We cooperated with monthly Atlas magazine and collected 70,000 signatures to save Hasankeyf back then," said Doğa Derneği campaign coordinator Erkut Ertürk. The German, Swiss and Austrian funding the dam project have considered withdrawing their support as a result of the increasing protests against the construction of the dam.
Last year, with Turkish pop star Tarkan’s contributions, Doğa Derneği launched an office in Hasankeyf with the mission statement: "We’ll do everything to save Hasankeyf from being submerged under the water of Tigris River." Ertürk said the group’s aim was "to propose an alternative argument to funding countries and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is the final person to decide on this subject."
Doğa Derneği and Atlas magazine came together for another Hasankeyf petition May 14, this time including Tarkan and famous musician Orhan Gencabay. The petition demanded the Tigris Valley, which includes Hasankeyf, to be deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "This petition says ’Yes.’ This is a much more positive campaign that we are leading. We don’t use the word ’No,’" said the campaign coordinator.
10,000 signed the petition
The petition has been signed by nearly 10,000 people so far. It will be delivered to Erdoğan, German Prime Minister Angela Merkel, Austrian Prime Minister Werner Faymann and Swiss Prime Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz.Ertürk. Tarkan met with Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay and presented a report that proves Hasankeyf can qualify as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"Tarkan, with his prudential vision, has helped Doğa Derneği carry its voice to the international field," Ertürk said and added, "The petition will not be over until Dicle Valley and Hasankeyf are declared world heritage sites."
Hasankeyf is not only a 10,000-year-old town but also home to many endangered species. In addition to saving Hasankeyf, Doğa Derneği also aims to create an example for other similar projects.
Güven Eken, chairman of Doğa Derneği, Ertürk and Tarkan are traveling to Berlin to hold an Ilısu Summit with representatives of the World Bank, Iraqi wetlands establishments, Swiss, Austrian and German nongovernmental organizations, and Batman Mayor Nejdet Atalay on May 28.
After the evaluation report revealed Turkey had not met its contractual commitments for the dam, the commission gave the State Water Works, or DSİ, six more months before it would lose funding. This period ends July 6.
Hasankeyf will be submerged under 135 meters of water if the proposed Ilısu Dam project goes ahead. The planned project might provide an estimated 2 percent of Turkey’s electricity needs.