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Only The AKP Is Innocent

31.10.2014 11:22

On May 13, an explosion at a coal mine in Soma, Manisa, caused an underground mine fire that burned for two days. In total, 301 people were killed in Turkey's worst mining disaster. Soma Coal Mining Industries, the mine owner, which is alleged to have close ties with the Justice and Development Party (AKP), replaced its website with a black page, a message of condolences for those affected by the accident. Only four people working in that company were taken into custody but they were later released. Indeed, they were not held responsible.Just after the event, according to the BBC, around 800 protesters tried to march in Ankara. After the police intervened harshly with tear gas and water cannons, the protesters hurled stones at the police and shouted anti-government slogans as they tried to march from Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources building. In İstanbul, hundreds of protesters gathered together and marched to the headquarters of t

On May 13, an explosion at a coal mine in Soma, Manisa, caused an underground mine fire that burned for two days. In total, 301 people were killed in Turkey's worst mining disaster. Soma Coal Mining Industries, the mine owner, which is alleged to have close ties with the Justice and Development Party (AKP), replaced its website with a black page, a message of condolences for those affected by the accident. Only four people working in that company were taken into custody but they were later released. Indeed, they were not held responsible.

Just after the event, according to the BBC, around 800 protesters tried to march in Ankara. After the police intervened harshly with tear gas and water cannons, the protesters hurled stones at the police and shouted anti-government slogans as they tried to march from Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources building. In İstanbul, hundreds of protesters gathered together and marched to the headquarters of the mining company, Soma Holdings. Some spray painted “Murderers” on its walls. During protests in Soma, then-Prime Minister and current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was seen pushing a man aside while his aide Yusuf Yerkel was photographed kicking a protester lying on the ground. Yerkel later took medical leave due to soft tissue trauma in his right leg. What a kick that was! We later read in the papers that he is suing the protester.

Hundreds of family members in the mining town of Soma surrounded and attacked Erdoğan's car after he stated that deaths were “normal and part of the nature of mining.” They chased him through the city, at which point he had to flee into a shop while rocks were being thrown and people were shouting “murderer” and “thief.” Energy Minister Taner Yıldız, who had opened another mine of Soma Holding in July of 2013, stated in the ceremony that Soma Holding is a model corporation. Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Çelik stated in a press conference that they would provide “funeral aid” to all the families of the victims in the form of TL 415. Of course, none of them felt responsible. All of these happened in Turkey six months ago.

Suddenly, and despite all the measures taken (!), it has happened again. Two days ago in Ermenek, Karaman, another disaster happened after water flooded another mine. Sixteen of 34 miners managed to escape but unfortunately 18 of them were trapped inside under more than 10,000 tons of water. Rescue efforts are still ongoing while hopes of finding the miners alive are fading. Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Lütfi Elvan, Çelik and Yıldız all faced protests from a group of people while examining the site of the incident. The group protested against the ministers, saying this was the third such flood at the mine and if the necessary measures had been taken, the tragedy would not have occurred. President Erdoğan, who is a master of learning his lessons, this time criticized the company that runs the coal mine, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. I really wonder who they are.

In my opinion, all the protesters are speaking to the wrong people. They can speak with the head of the Chamber of Barbers and Coiffeurs, they can march to the building of the İstanbul Hammams Association or they can protest against anyone, but not against those in the AKP. As always, the only innocent party is the AKP. Suddenly and despite all measures taken, it happened again.

President Abraham Lincoln said, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” There is a carpet big enough to cover the trash of the AKP and the smell of its irresponsibilities but tomorrow the same thing will happen again and nothing will happen to our “innocents.”

GÜNAL KURŞUN (Cihan/Today's Zaman)



 
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