ATAA President Evinch and VP Çınar Speak at
Northern Cyprus and Istanbul World Turkic Congresses

 

The TASAM World Turkic Forum and Northern Cyprus Turkish Coordination Council invited ATAA to provide presentations and participate in working committees to increase Turkic solidarity, lobbying efficacy, and public relations.  President Gunay Evinch stated that in a meeting with Turkish Prime Ministry in Washington DC last December, the Turkish American community was highlighted as a model immigrant Turkish community for the Turkish diaspora in Europe, and that ATAA, due to its principles of solidarity within diversity and inter-Turk dialogue, and grassroots efficacy, was highlighted as a model civil society organization for other Turkish groups.

 

TASAM World Turkic Forum

 

Ambassador Murat Bilhan, ATAA President Günay Evinch, Mardin Governor Hasan Duruer.

In Istanbul, ATAA President Evinch represented the Turkish American community at the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM) "World Turkic Forum" in Istanbul, which was attended by more than 200 Turkish and Turkic civil society leaders from Europe, Caucuses, and Central Asia.  A large Kazakh contingency lead the Asian and Caucasus group, followed by Azeri refugees from Armenian-occupied western Azerbaijan, Tatars from Ukraine and Kazan, Turkish Cypriots, Uzbeks, Turcomans from northern Iraq, and Uyghur refugees living in Turkey.  An equally large European contingency was led by Turkish leaders from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Macedonia, Bosnia, Romania and Bulgaria.  The Congress organizers renewed their invitation to Turkmenistan and Kyrgyz civil society leaders.

 

President Evinch spoke on the developing Turkish American public advocacy system, including lobbying, campaign financing and prosecution of rights in the judicial system.  In a second panel, President Evinch discussed past and current litigation to protect freedom of speech to disagree with the Armenian allegation of genocide, including holding individuals and groups accountable for defamation of scholars and public leaders who disagree with the Armenian point of view.

 

The Congress, which was originally planned to take place in Mardin, southeast Turkey, was moved to Istanbul only weeks before the date of the Congress.  President Evinch expressed to the Mardin Governor Hasan Duruer who helped fund and attended the Congress, that he hopes that the next Turkic Forum will take place in Mardin, as the city was a "success for diversity in the Turkish Republic."

North Cyprus Turkish Congress

President Evinch and Vice President Ali Çinar represented the Turkish American community at the Turkish Cyprus Coordination Council's "First Annual Cyprus Turkish Congress" at the Acapulco Spa Resort in Girne, North Cyprus. 

 

President Evinch explained the Turkish American public advocacy system, but expressed concern that without a clear policy and position on the Cyprus matter, lobbying will not be effective.  "We Turkish Americans are proud of the Turkish Cypriots, who survived massacres 1963-1974, established a system of self-governance which is more successful than many recognized countries, and have finally awoken to the realities that left them empty-handed despite voting in favor of the Annan Plan. 

 

ATAA visits North Cyprus once a year, and we are impressed by your tourism and education industries, and moved by your dignity and self-determination.  Our electronic travel report is provided to each member of Congress and Senate, as well as the White House." 

 

ATAA Northeast VP explained the structure of Turkic Diaspora in the USA with the examples of the activities nationwide. He indicated that strong global network is the key to be successful at the grassroots level in the Turkic World.

 

Congress President and former Northern Cyprus Foreign Minister Vedat Çelik stated that the goal of the Congress was to gather Turkish groups around the world for the promulgation of a unified voice and policy for a lasting solution on the island, to implementation of such policy, and to strengthen ties with Turkey.  Çelik stated that the Turks may not be as effective as their Greek lobbying counterparts, but that their cause founded in fundamental human rights and human dignity, particularly surviving ethnic cleansing and genocide between 1963 and 1974, surviving an economic and social embargo since 1974, and being let down by the Annan process in which the Greek Cypriots voted against and Turkish Cypriots voted for the UN-backed unification of the island.

 

ATAA President Günay Evinch, Honorable Rauf DenktaŞ, ATAA VP Ali Çınar.

One of the founding leaders of the Turkish Cypriot resistance and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Honorable Rauf Denktas stated that the Turkish Cypriots were in great danger due to the lack of motivation of the Greek Cypriots to find a solution, and their fanciful view of the island as a genetically Greek island at the exclusion of people of Turkish heritage.  Denktas stated, "In 2012, the Greek Cypriots will chair the EU and create many obstacles for Turkey.  They are merely buying time until then by frustrating a solution and successfully blaming Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots for it."

 

Denktas recited the positions of Greek Cypriot leaders that while a UN-backed Cypriot federation was a way to remove the UN and Turkish peace forces, it would not be implementable thereafter.  Denktas stated that Greek Cypriot leaders have sent many important messages about their intentions and plans for the Turkish Cypriots:  "we are in the path of Makarios", "we are inspired by EOKA" (Greek Cypriot supremacist group that committed ethnic cleansing against Turkish Cypriots, 1963-1974), and, "it is now the duty of EOKA to oust the Turkish forces."

 

Denktas recited the common position of Turkish leaders from Ataturk through current Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu regarding the strategic importance of the island, only 40 miles off the southern coast of Turkey, to Turkish national interests.

 

Denktas expressed that Turkish civil society leaders who are present at the Congress must take the message to their constituents, and prepare well and lead the way.  "Already EU outfits are strategically identifying, forming, and funding NGO's in Turkey to support a plan that will not be in the interest of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots," he expressed.

BaŞkan Evinch, TASAM Türk Dünyası Forumuna Katıldı

 

 

 

 

ATAA President Evinch with Leader of American Indian Delegation Patricia Whitefoot.

ATAA President Gunay Evinch joined over 25 American Indian Tribe leaders at the Hacettepe University - Turkish Coalition of America Native American Conference.  At the Gala Dinner, the Delegation Leader, Elder Patricia Whitefoot expressed, "We American Indians have never been honored and touched as we have by the Turkish people, who are warm, respectful, and generous.  Today, it touched my heart to hear the pride and hopes of the Turkish youth at this university.  I wish the same for Indian American children!"

 

American Indian National Conference coordinator Margo Proctor expressed that Indian youth access to education and ability to put their education to the good service of the reservations was severely limited.  With tears in her eyes, she expressed gratitude to the ten full tuition college scholarships that Hacettepe University initiated.

ATAA Kızılderililer Heyeti ile Ankara'da

 

Crown Milli Ekonomik GeliŞme Direktörü Shawn Realbird, Ulusal Kızılderili Konferansı Koordinatörü Margo Gray, ATAA BaŞkanı Günay Evinch.

ATAA BaŞkanı Günay Evinch ,25 Kizilderili Kabile lideri ile, Amerika Türk Koalisyonu'nun organize ettiği Hacettepe Üniversitesi'nde düzenlenen Kızılderililer Konferansına katıldı. Yapılan resepsiyonda konuŞan Delege Lideri Elder Patricia Whitefoot, "Biz hayatımızda hiçbir Türk insanı tarafından onurlandırılmamıŞtık. Bu sıcak, sevgi ve misafirperviligi unutmamız mümkün değil" dedi. Bugün, Türk öğrencilerin kendi ülkeleri ile gururu ve sevdası beni çok duygulandırdı. Bu sevginin bizim çocuklarda da olmasını diliyorum" dedi. Amerikan Kızılderililer Milli Konferans Koordinatörü Margo Proctor ise Kızılderili gençlerinin eğitim ve imkanlarının kısıtlı olduğunu gözyaŞlarını tutamayarak dile getirirken, 10 tane öğrencilerinin Hacettepe'de burs almalarından dolayı çok mutlu olduklarını söyledi.

 

Crown Milli Ekonomik GeliŞme Direktörü Shawn Realbird, bizi, 10 Kasım gününde, ATATÜRK, yani Türklerin Atasının, bizleri biraraya getirmesinden onur duydum dedi. Atatürk, Türk toplumunun batı standartlarına taŞıyan ve toplumuna bağımsızlık ve özgürlük veren bir lider olduğunu belirterek, bizimde keŞke bir ATA'mız olsaydı dedi. Realbird, ATAA BaŞkanına " Benim kardeŞim Günay,doğum günlerimiz çok yakın. Senin ismin "Ay Günü Gururu". Senin kızının ismi Lara yani su ve oğlunun ismi Arda yani kara. Bizler kardeŞiz. Bizler biriz" dedi.

 

ATAA BaŞkanı Günay Evinch'te, Kızılderililer ile yakınlaŞmanın devam ettiğini belirterek, kültür değiŞim programları yapacaklarını belirterek,Kabile liderlerine tek tek teŞekkür ederek, sevgi ve kardeŞliğimizin daha da güçlenecek sözünü verdi.

ATAA President Evinch Emcees THY Inaugural Flight 

ATAA President Günay Evinch served as Master of Ceremonies at the Inauguration of the first THY flight from Washington DC to Istanbul, which carried over 200 passengers, including a delegation of Members of Congress, staff and families, American business interests, and over 25 Native American tribal leaders, variously hosted by THY, the Franklin Center, Turkish Union of Chambers (TOBB) and Turkish Coalition of America (TCA).  President Evinch spoke at a podium at the flight gate, expressing that the flight was from "world capital to the capital of world civilizations."

President Evinch introduced Turkish Airlines CEO and Member of the Board, Dr. Temel Kotil, "whose good work to enable direct access between the world and Turkey made this great day possible."

Evinch then called to the podium the CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Lynn Hampton, "who makes our travel easy and safe."

President Evinch receives Inauguration Certificate from THY Crew.

Evinch then introduced Turkish Ambassador Namık Tan, "a man whose creativity and dynamism empowers Turkish Americans and the Turkish Republic in Washington DC." Evinch then called to the podium, Congressman William Delahunt of Massachusetts, "a legislator who has demonstrated a smart interest in Turkey and been a strong supporter of the US-Turkish relationship."
 
As a first flight passenger ATAA President Evinch received a THY Inauguration Certificate.  Evinch  joined the flight on route to Ankara for the TOBB - Franklin Center 26th Transatlantic Conference and the Hacettepe University Native American Conference, and finally to Northern Cyprus for the First Annual Cyprus Turkish Congress via Istanbul.

ATAA Northeastern Region VP, Ali Cinar and New York Region VP Tomris Azeri met with 70th governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney to discuss the Turkish American community and the work of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA).  Governor Romney is widely seen as a front-runner for the Republic nomination in the 2012 presidential elections. 

Turkish American Association of California-TAAC

TAAC was founded in 1975 in San Francisco and is a non-profit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes, within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law. TAAC has as its primary objective, the presentation of a more balanced view of Turkish culture and Turkish people. We believe that increased awareness of Türkiye and her rich culture will develop and enhance understanding between Turks, and Americans and the other nations. For more information on TAAC, please visit www.taaca.org.

TACAM Cumhuriyet Bayramı Kutlamaları

Annual 2010 ATASC Republic Day Ball Celebrations

Turkish American community gathered in Long Beach for the annual Association of Turkish Americans of Southern California (ATASC) Republic Day Ball, celebrating the 87th anniversary of the founding of the modern Turkish Republic. Close to 300 distinguished guests including the Turkish Consul General Mr. Hakan Tekin, Tim Lee for Representative Laura Richardson and Steve Thompson from the City of Long Beach attended this important event that represented the unity and solidarity of the Turkish American Community of Southern California. -read more-
 

Penn Müzesinde Türk Kültür Günü

Pensilvanya Üniversitesi Arkeoloji ve Antropoloji Müzesi (Penn Müzesi)'nde 26 Eylül 2010 tarihinde "Osmanlı Topraklarında Arkeologlar ve Seyyahlar (Archaelogists and Travelers in Ottoman Lands)" adlı serginin açılısı ve ardından Türk Kültür Günü etkinlikleri düzenlendi.  Sergide, Penn Müzesi'nin 1880 yılında, Yakın Doğu'da gerçeklestirdiği ilk yurtdısı kazısı olan "Nippur kazısı"nda yolları kesisen Türk ressam ve arkeolog Osman Hamdi Bey, Amerikalı arkeolog John Henry Haynes ve Alman arkeolog ve Asur dili uzmanı Hermann Hilprecht'in eserlerine ve buldukları arkeolojik eserlere yer verildi.  Penn Müzesi Müdürü Richard Hodges, Müze Müdür Yardımcısı Brian Rose ve TAFSUS Baskanı İbrahim Onaral'ın da hazır bulunduğu açılıs töreninde, Müze Müdürü Hodges'un ardından Atase Nihan Bekar ve TAFSUS Baskanı İbrahim Onaral'da birer konusma yaptı.  Türk Kültür Günü etkinlikleri çerçevesinde, es zamanlı olarak, müzenin değisik galerilerinde "Türk Müziği" konseri, "Türk Mutfağı" tanıtım etkinliği, ebru sanatı atölye çalısması ve sergiyi konu alan seminerler düzenlendi. Penn Müzesi arkeologları uzun yıllardan bu yana ülkemizdeki arkeolojik kazılara katılıyor. Müze yetkilileri, 30 yıldan bu yana Gordion Kazılarına katılmaları nedeniyle, 2009 yılında, Gordion kazısından çıkarılan eserlerin çizimlerini içeren "His Golden Touch" isimli sergiyi sanatseverlerle bulusturmuslardı. "Osmanlı Topraklarında Arkeologlar ve Seyyahlar" adlı sergi, subat 2011'e kadar açık kalacak.

ATAA-TAFSUS Grassroots Public Outreach Program
December 4, 2010, 2:00pm
Matheson 109,
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA 19104 
 

Second Annual Atatürk Symposium
Atatürk: Leader of a Nation
December 7, 2010, 3-6:00pm
United Nations
Conference Room 2
405 E 42nd St. NY, NY 10017
Organized by IUMEZUSA and Young Turks Cultural Aid Society

 

An Evening in Ephesus
January 31, 2011
Organized by AFOT and The Crisler Library of Ephesus
Co-sponsored by ATAA and ATA-DC.
The Westchester Dining Room
4000 Cathedral Ave. NW, Washington, DC