NAZ AKMAN- Implemented by the Association of Journalists and financed by the European Union, “Democracy for Media/Media for Democracy Project” continues to host its weekly journalists’ meetings. The Press House hosted Mehmet Çetingüleç this week to talk about late Bülent Ecevit and wife Rahşan Ecevit with reference to his book “Ecevitler” (the Ecevits).

Kanlı “We have been able to reach out to about 100 journalists”
Association of Journalists Vice Chairman and M4D Project Director Yusuf Kanlı gave the opening speech and provided information about the project. Kanlı said “the Press House is a safe-place for journalists we have established through EU funding. Through the Press House support mechanisms we’ve been able to reach out to about 100 journalists. I believe we’re providing a very important service. We’ve left behind our first year, on February 14 we will issue a call for proposals. We received 53 applications in the first period, we provided support to 31 of them. We have also provided support to seven young journalists and established 32 websites. In this difficult period we have strived to be a beacon of light through both our own means and through EU funding, we hope to increase the scope of our support. The Association of Journalists, ever since it was founded, has strived to overcome the problems journalists have faced through solidarity, unity and cooperation.
Bilgin “We preserved our friendship with Ecevit until his passing”
Chairman of the Association of Journalists Nazmi Bilgin took the stand and talked about his memories with the Ecevit family “the Ecevit family has a very special place for me. Ecevit having been a member of the Association of Journalists, and me having served as chairman during that period is a great honour”.
Bilgin continued “Those days were a beautiful dream. A dream I miss a lot. We preserved our friendship with Ecevit until his passing”.

Bilgin mentioned how the Ecevit family made a large donation after an earthquake in 1975 to the Gelibolu region. Bilgin shared a memory about Rahşan Ecevit “She would send cards during festivities, she would little stickers of Turkish flags on the cards. One day, I told her that I could get her some cards with little Turkish flags on them so she wouldn’t have to bother so much, but she said she wouldn’t want to waste any paper and thanked me. The Ecevits had the most beautiful love I’ve ever seen. Simply by reading Ecevit’s poems you can see how much in love he was. The Ecevits were like a beautiful poem, and they will remain so”.
Ülman “Ecevit was someone who was respected by all journalists, no matter what their political beliefs were”
Before welcoming Mehmet Çetingüleç to the floor, M4D Assistant Coordinator gave some biographical information about him: “Çetingüleç is someone who has 39 years of experience behind him, he has worked in almost every level of the profession. He has written two books over the years, ‘Ferman Padişahın Vurgun Bizimdir’ and ‘Rahşan’. Çetingüleç’s path crossed with Bülent Ecevit many years ago. This transformed into a very long friendship, something beyond being mere acquaintances as politician and journalists; they became family friends. Ecevit was someone who was respected by all journalists, no matter what their political beliefs were. Ecevit was always polite and respectful towards journalists. I believe this stems from Ecevit having worked as a journalist, himself.”
Çetingüleç started his speech with the following remarks “Ecevit’s political success stems from Rahşan Ecevit.
Perhaps how Rahşan and Ecevit met, and how they have stayed together was caused by how Ecevit was quite similar in personality to Rahşan Hanım’s father Prof. Namık Zeki Aral. They met in 1944, then got married two years later. They lived together for 60 years, and were involved in politics for 44 years. Rahşan Hanım saved Ecevit from prison, founded the Umut Newspaper, helped spread Ecevit’s message to the people but most of all established the village foundations which helped formed a direct chain between producers and consumers”.
Çetingüleç “Ecevit was the only leader to carry CHP to 42%”
Reminding that Ecevit served as prime minister five times between 1974 and 2002 Çetingüleç said:
“After getting married, Ecevit worked in the Press Attaché of the Turkish Embassy in London. After returning to Turkey in 1950, Ecevit worked for Ulus Newspaper and in 1955 through a scholarship he attended The Journal and Sentinel in America as visiting journalist. Ecevit displayed his solidarity with the people even in America, he wrote a piece called ‘Ayın karanlık yüzü’ (Dark side of the moon) criticizing racism against black people. In 1957 he returned to Turkey, that year he was elected as CHP deputy for Ankara. In 1961 he became Minister of Labour, and in 1965 he started writing daily columns for Milliyet newspaper. In 1966 he excelled until secretary general of CHP, in 1971 he quit from this position in protest of the coup. In 1972 Ecevit was elected as general president of CHP, two years later the party in power. Ecevit was the only leader to get CHP 42% after Turkey’s transition to the multi-party system. CHP forms the foundation of all political parties in Turkey. All political parties in Turkey stem from CHP. CHP existed before all other parties. Legendary right-wing leader Adnan Menderes was a deputy of CHP for 15 years, former President Celal Bayar was also a CHP deputy; he founded the Democrat Party after leaving CHP. It was thanks to Ismet Inönü that Turkey was able to transition to a different life. Having worked closely with Inönü Ecevit was able to climb the political ladder so quickly. Ecevit pulled CHP towards the left after starting the “leftist moderatism” movement. Ecevit restructured the party in alignment with the people, social democracy, social justice and people’s rights”.
“Ecevit’s political courtesy came from Ismet Inönü while his courage came from Atatürk”
Çetingüleç remarked that Ecevit always took pride in his journalism “Despite his political career, Ecevit would always take pride in his journalism, he was the owner of an honorary press card. He cared for journalists, throughout his 44 years in politics he never once sued a journalist. The Ecevits focused on commonalities, not polarization. The Ecevits symbolize courtesy in Turkey, they also symbolize courage. Ecevit’s political courtesy came from Ismet Inönü while his courage came from Atatürk. An example of Ecevit’s courage is how he uncovered the counter-guerrilla Ecevit was detained three times and ended in Ulucanlar Prison twice; he was subjected to countless assassination attempts. Rahşan Ecevit founded DSP in 1985. This political party strived to support the rights of workers and the oppressed. After the removal of his political ban, Ecevit then led this party. Rahşan Hanım’s support plays a big role in Ecevit’s success. Rahşan Hanım had a big impact on Ecevit’s political success. It would be impossible to erase the effect the Ecevits had on Turkey, it was Ecevit who introduced the right to strike, and the right to collective labour agreement. Again, it was thanks to Ecevit that distance education began. It was Ecevit who legislated the work security act. He truly was a revolutionary. That’s why it would be impossible to erase the effect the Ecevits had on this country”.