 |
|
|
Smithsonian says Hasankeyf one of Top 15 endangered cultural treasures
Hasankeyf on US Smithsonian "Must See" List
Apr. 21st 2009 While the governments in Berlin, Vienna und Berne are still in doubt if they should stay in or pull of the Ilisu projects, more and more expert references on Hasankeyf's sheer unmeasurable value appear in the media.
Now the renowned US magazine "Smithsonian" added the ancient city with its ten thousand year old history to their Top 15 "Must See Endangered Cultural Treasures" list.
Just a couple of days ago the Turkish environmental organisation Doga Dernegi handed over an application to the Turkish Cultural minister Günay, to grant the status of UNESCO world heritage for Hasankeyef and the Tigris valley.
"Hasankeyf is getting more and more famous every day. This increases the pressure on Germany, Austria and Switzerland to save this city instead of flooding it in a gigantic reservoir", says Ulrich Eichelmann from ECA Watch Austria.
*******************************************************************
Erogan accuses Ilisu Opponents of being Terrorists
The Turkish Prime Minister apparently expects European Governments to withdraw from Ilisu Dam Project
Vienna, April 19th 2009 During his visit to Hannover today, the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan publicly denounced opponents of the Ilisu dam project as terrorists. In an interview with "Süddeutsche Zeitung" he said: "In the end, the commitment to loans has failed because of the campaign of terrorist organisations."
"This is a scandalous accusation not worthy of a prime minister. In the name of the numerous organisations and people who have engaged against this project over many years, I deeply object to such an accusation", said Ulrich Eichelmann from the "Stop Ilisu" campaign.
Mr. Erdogan's declaration appears to show that he expects the three involved european export credit aggencies to withdraw from the project. On July 6^th , their Ultimatum towards Turkey ends. Then Germany, Austria and Switzerland will make their final decision to continiue or pull out from the Ilisu dam project.
Presumably, Mr. Erdogan's verbal "outburst" will not go unnoticed by the goverments in Berlin, Vienna and Berne. When they suspended the loans fort the project December 2008 and set a 180-day ultimatum, they did so because Turkey had failed to fulfill the project conditions and not because they comply with the wishes of "terrorist organisations".
For further information, contact Thomas Wenidoppler <thomas.wenidoppler@eca-watch.at>
|
|
