Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has likened nine murders perpetrated by neo-Nazis in Germany over the last decade to Turkey's Susurluk affair -- a 1996 car crash that led to the discovery of ties between the police, politicians and the world of crime Today`s Zaman reported
Davutoglu, who went to Germany on Thursday for a five-day visit to mark the 50th anniversary of a migration of Turks to Germany, told Turkish journalists while flying en route to Hamburg that the murders of eight Turks and one Greek individual, the cases of which were initially thought to be separate, were be linked by the German police to a neo-Nazi gang as a result of mere coincidence, not unlike the accident in Turkey when a truck hit a Mercedes in the township of Susurluk in 1996 and brought to light dirty dealings between politicians, the mafia and the police.
A police chief, an internationally wanted mafia lord and a parliamentary deputy were inside the Mercedes. The ensuing investigation revealed the existence of an illegitimate, clandestine clique inside the state hierarchy.
Germany's neo-Nazi murderers were found out only when two of them, who were wanted in relation to a bank robbery, killed themselves and another turned herself in, fearing she would not be able to get away. The initial investigation revealed that Germany's intelligence agency had been watching every move by the group and probably knew about the murders. "If the apartment had not been burned," said Davutoglu in reference to the neo-Nazi suspect who lit her apartment on fire in an attempt to burn evidence before surrendering, and continued: "If a racist terrorist had not confessed [to the murders], the connection wouldn't have been made. It all revealed a neo-Nazi network. It is like the Susurluk accident. There was an accident and then everything spilt out of the bag."
He noted that Islamophobia, as Turkish officials have often warned, has become a real threat for Europe, which has seen Islam as a fundamental threat since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US. "They feel that the world would be a more peaceful place if it wasn't for Muslims. The incident in Norway and the neo-Nazi murders in Germany have shown that this is clearly not true. This approach will not bring Germany or Europe peace. Germany has to do some silent yet very profound soul-searching for something to come out of this."
Davutoglu also noted that what is known about the gang is only the tip of the iceberg. "Why were these murders being committed? This is what has to be investigated. Goethe emphasized the disciplined ways of the German nation. We hope to see that kind of German discipline in the investigations into these murders," he said.
According to Davutoglu, it is highly unnerving that there are links between the neo-Nazi gang and Germany's Organization for the Protection of the Constitution, the national intelligence service.
The foreign minister said that in addition to a thorough investigation the neo-Nazi murders have shown that a deep questioning of Germany's values is called for. He said on Wednesday night that he had talked to German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who assured him that Germany will investigate the murders and shed light on every link in the chain.
Germany has to question these murders at a political, cultural and psychological level, Davutoglu said, noting these killings are not just any murders. "Politicians did what had to be done following the Solingen neo-Nazi massacre [in which five Turkish people were burned to death by neo-Nazis in 1993], but nothing came out of it. Everything was forgotten after a while, and the same things continued to happen. The approach [Germans have] toward foreigners needs to change. This is very important for Germany's domestic peace and for the future of Europe."
He said he had no doubt that both German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the prime minister and foreign minister's statements expressing their sadness over the murders were sincere. "But such an investigation needs to take place that shows Germany, and the whole of Europe in general, is determined to fight racism."
Davutoglu said Europe needs to change both its mentality and legislation regarding immigrants. "These people cannot be excluded from German society. But Germany's new immigration law has elements that are in violation of human rights principles."
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