Important Comment by President Ateş on Tvnet
Enstitü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, answered questions on Tvnet channel regarding the treason on July 15th.
Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş congratulated the will of the nation during the coup attempt and said “May God rest the souls of those martyred”. Ateş stated that attempt was a major tragedy however it has become a great opportunity for Turkish nation to continue its development, recover itself and regain the global position it deserves.
Appeared as on-air guest on Tvnet Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, marked that with people's resistance against the July 15th Military Coup Attempt, the national and spiritual values reared and Turkey's power re-emerged and spoke as follows: “As Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, we have seen and sensed this power all around the world. July 15th is a milestone n this sense to improve the communication with Turkey. A stand with a nationalist and localist character deeply influence all the oppressed peoples around the world. We have 45 centres abroad and more than 100 contact points. We have explained what Turkey achieved on July 15th, how the national will took the squares and fought for independence all around the world in these centres. No matter what they say, all sensible people around the world sided with Turkey. We are utterly glad to witness that people always side with Turkey regardless of the comments on the media.”
Prof. Dr. Ateş said the following regarding the “agenda of FETÖ in the institutes”: “This organisation has unfortunately taken advantage of the subjects Turkey's promotion abroad, introduction of Turkish culture and Turkish instruction for many years and created a brand value abroad under the name Turkish Schools. The desire of all other peoples and nations in the world is to get in contact with Turkey, get informed about true Turkish culture and learn Turkish. In this sense, this organisation utilized these values of Anatolian people in Turkey and organised abroad in line with their own agenda. However Yunus Emre Enstitüsü founded by the state actively introduces Turkey through correct sources, establishes connection between people and sources on Turkish culture, and instruct Turkish using right sources and we establish connection by way of these Institutes. Bringing right sources abroad, opening Turkish libraries there, engaging these with universities in Turkey happen under our total control. In this sense Yunus Emre Enstitü Centres channel the interest towards Turkey towards right channels. This will continue like this. In our opinion, there will be increased demand from now on. Both in Africa and Far East... Education Foundation Law has passed. They continue to organise. Because these schools will also be taken over. However in this transitional phase, Yunus Emre Enstitü centres will contribute in feeding the interest foreigners have in Turkey by providing right sources and also in education and science fields where it is requested.”
YUNUS EMRE ENSTİTÜ IS STATE'S...
President Ateş reminding that Yunus Emre Enstitüsü is a public foundation established by Republic of Turkey, stated the following: “It is in no way affiliated with FETÖ that operates under the name Turkish schools. It is a foundation and centres established by Turkish state with the aim of introducing Turkish language and culture abroad. Fethullah Gülen scornfully mentions Yunus Emre Enstitüsü twice in a statement he made on July 15th . This proves that Yunus Emre Enstitüsü actively operated abroad and maintains the communication between Turkey and other nations successfully. Despite the coup attempt, we have managed to bring 550 foreign students at university and higher levels after the 20th. Currently intense Turkish lessons, Turkish culture courses, literary and art activities are organised in the mornings in various Turkish cities. They voluntarily attend the democracy meetings in city squares in the evenings. Purely on freewill... Right now 550 students from 46 countries were with us in Samsun yesterday and will be in Ankara tomorrow and these students who join Turkish courses and study Turcology in their respective countries, have come in contact with correct sources through Yunus Emre Institutes.”
Prof. Dr. Ateş continued as follows: “We carry out around one thousand activities yearly. Yunus Emre Enstitüsü carries out activities in numerous countries on various continents, from Japan to United States. There has been an increased interest towards Turkey after the 15th. Although there are opposing claims, there is high demand both in centres home and abroad; we can approach this as an opportunity to open centres there and Turkey's initiative of introducing Turkish culture and Turkey through correct sources.”
3 NEW CENTRES TO BE OPENED
Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Ateş also delivered good news on Tvnet live broadcast:
“For instance we met with Pakistan Ambassador today. We have come to a decision to open three centres at once there. We have given preliminary efforts so Yunus Emre Enstitüsü Turkish Cultural Centres will be immediately established there in the coming weeks; centres will open in Brazil, United States of America, New York. There are similar demands from many African countries. We hope that we will be able to prove that the state can cater to these demands all around the world.”
“TURKEY MADE HISTORY ON JULY 15th”
Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş answered the question if this good news mean reorganisation, as follows:
“Of course. Unfortunately this organisation has become widespread abroad by exploiting cultural values of Anatolian people. Even the name of the schools are Turkish schools. As a result, foreign governments, states have mistaken these schools with government schools at times. Therefore we must open alternative schools rapidly or an extensive informative campaign should be conducted there. We do our part in this sense. All our directors and employees in our 45 centres explain this heinous attempt and create awareness. Because there is utter disinformation especially in Western countries. Here Turkey has to play its part. Intense efforts must be paid not only by us as a cultural institute but also by TRT, Press Information and Agencies. Because Turkey actually made history on July 15th. Turkey once more demonstrated that the people are invincible, and Turkish people hold freedom and national will dear. Whoever they are, even if they assert themselves as one of us, we always make it clear that this organisation does not represent Turkey, and those who pointed guns at Turkish people can use the name “Turkish” or “Turkish School” under no circumstance. We hope this to lead to development, to recovery and Anatolia to realise great Turkey ideal in cultural sense, and there are signs of it.”
MEMORIAL EVENT FOR MARTYRS
Prof. Dr. Ateş answered the question regarding intense efforts by Yunus Emre Enstitüsü to eliminate the negative perception that emerged due to FETÖ, as follows: “Yes, it is true because the national sensitivities in Turkey are not reflected as they are abroad. It can be construed differently. This means we must clarify it to a Japanese citizen in Japan and use other methods for an individual in America or Africa. We are preparing for this illumination through media campaign, conferences, exhibition. This is a rapid promotion and things that are represented as unfavourable for us in Turkey are in fact what world youth long for. Even now you watch on TV how people stood in the way and laid down in front of tanks, those who did not fear weapons and confronted fire in face of death. This is in fact a sign of freedom and peace for the whole world. Because for years all the young people on the world and particularly those in socialist communities, have invariably responded positively to antimilitarism and democracy calls. In Turkey, the case is different for the whole community rise as one and stand in unity. World public is silent. This is of course hypocrisy and there are ulterior motives but it is our responsibility, not theirs. As whole America announced to the world that September 11th was a terrorist attack, made films about it, broadcast videos of the event, made clips, gave all the efforts, we must similarly explain it to the world and also the normalising process in Turkey following July 15th. As Yunus Emre Enstitüsü we play our part. 550 foreign students participate in these events in peace in Turkey and it is a sign. I hope we will be able to hold the grand closing program in Istanbul on August 27th in memory of our martyrs. With this major closing event we will hold under the auspices of Turkish President, we will present Turkish as the peace language it is since its birth and cultural values of Turkish people. We will proceed our way.”
“TURKISH NATION STOOD AGAINST TYRANTS, TERRORISTS WITH WEAPONS”
Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş answered the question regarding “the propaganda abroad that presents the coup attempt as legitimate”, as follows:
“Unfortunately there is propaganda, particularly in Western Europe, in Brussels, Belgium, Germany... We continue to receive such reports. Since we are a state institution, the events planned months ahead in these countries are being cancelled by the relevant states, museums or conference halls. It is apparent; the political will behind it, the support of governments. Our institution is not a political one, we carry out cultural diplomacy however we face various obstacles. We will get through this. Because the truth is clear. Turkish people stood up to these tyrants, these terrorists with weapons. We must share this with the whole world... We have a plan for the coming weeks; The West has been critical about Turkey concerning freedom of the press and human rights, but something extraordinary was revealed on July 15th . Turkish media resisted, even heroically and we would like to hold interviews with these media outlets, all media organs in Europe, in various cities. We would like to show the videos. However we are held back with various reasons. This shows that even freedom of press is an excuse. Turkish media stood against this coup on July 15th with all its colours. This was extraordinarily beautiful national stand.”
