When I opened my window in the morning, I greeted my neighbor with a bright smile and a wave. He waved energetically back and said: “This is an important moment. The dean is sacked!”
My neighbor was referring to the news of Boğaziçi University’s Rector Melih Bulu, the appointment of whom students, alumni, and academicians had been protesting for 6 months.
There are moments when even the most pessimistic Turkish citizen feels hope. Melih Bulu’s dismissal is definitely one of them, even if another pro-AKP name is to be appointed soon.
Turkey is ruled via antidemocratic appointments, Presidential memorandums, and corrupt bureaucrats and politicians holding hands with business people.
So much has been revealed regarding the wrongdoings of Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, along with other AKP MP’s and bureaucrats. All such revelations and accusations have been silently ignored by the AKP-MHP regime. People wonder how long this awful silence can last and if any of the accused feel ashamed.
I have doubts.
Let’s look at one recent environmental disaster, which is the responsibility of the government.
This past week, Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum was jubilant on Twitter, showing pictures of one part of the Marmara Sea, saying, “We have cleaned the sea snot! Marmara is ablaze!”
The surface looks cleaned, but marine biologists warn that after 7 meters, the mucilage is so intense that divers must push it out of their way. Industrial waste and sewage is dumped without decontamination. The worst polluter is still Ergene.
Gazete Duvar writer Önder Algedik found out that Tekirdağ Ergene Deep Discharge Corporation (TEDD AŞ) was founded by the former Tekirdağ Governor, who is now the Governor of Istanbul, Ali Yerlikaya. He found that all the big industries in the Tekirdağ region, which are responsible for toxic waste, are on board.
I asked Ali Yerlikaya and Tekirdağ Governor Aziz Yıldırım, who is now TEDDAŞ board member to comment, to no avail. Along with Ministers and other bureaucrats, both were appointed to the Marmara Sea Urgent Action Council.
How much are governors being paid to turn a blind eye while Ergene’s toxic waste is pumped into the sea? How can they act as though they do not notice or care?
The “deep discharge” project was inaugurated by President Erdoğan and Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank back in November 2020. Since all governors are appointed by Erdoğan, can anyone tell us who is responsible for the killing of the Marmara Sea?