Turkish Press Review, 06-09-15

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From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

15.09.2006

CONTENTS

[01] ERDOGAN: “WE DO OUR BEST FOR TURKEY”

[01] ERDOGAN: “WE DO OUR BEST FOR TURKEY”

US Special Envoy to combat the terrorist PKK Joseph Ralston late Wednesday assured the Turkish premier that he won’t take any steps that might be seen as taking the terrorist group as a legitimate party. According to sources, Ralston’s assurance came during a meeting when Erdogan underlined the importance of not taking steps that would be considered as taking the PKK as a legitimate party and said, “We will do whatever is necessary to eliminate the threat to the security of our people.” Ralston told Erdogan that he had informed US President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of the concrete measures that should be taken to eliminate the threat posed by the terrorist PKK in northern Iraq, diplomatic sources said. In response to Ralston, Erdogan stressed the need to immediately implement the measures and take concrete steps. /The New Anatolian/[03] GUL MEETS WITH FRANCE'S CHIRAC, DOUSTE-BLAZY

In meetings during Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s visit to Paris, French President Jacques Chirac and Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy stated that they were extremely pleased about Turkey’s decision to send troops to Lebanon. French officials also continued to warn Turkey about fulfilling its commitments emerging from the Customs Union, but they also gave signals that this won’t turn into a crisis between the European Union and Turkey. Gul’s meeting with his French counterpart Douste-Blazy gave him the opportunity to state Ankara’s diplomatic views, especially on the Armenian and Cyprus issues. “Instability in the Eastern Mediterranean wouldn’t only be to the detriment of Turkey, as both regional stability and the world’s balance would be affected by this,” said Gul. He also told Douste-Blazy of Ankara’s uneasiness about the French Parliament’s move to criminalize denial of the so-called Armenian genocide claims. /Milliyet-Star/[04] AKSU: “TRAITORS WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO REACH THEIR GOALS”

Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu said yesterday that traitors who wanted to damage Turkey’s unity and peace would never be able to reach their goals. During a visit to Diyarbakir Governor Efkan Ala concerning a bomb blast in the city which killed 10 people, the interior minister called the attack an ugly and inhuman act. He added that an investigation was underway. In related news, True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar urged security officials to find the culprits and punish them soon. /Turkiye/[05] COLASAN ELECTED COUNCIL OF STATE’S CHIEF PROSECUTOR

Council of State Deputy Chief Justice Tansel Colasan yesterday was elected the body’s chief prosecutor. After Prosecutor Zafer Kantarci stepped down upon reaching retirement age, Colasan won the post in the sixth round of voting with the support of an absolute majority of the council’s 95 members. /Aksam/[06] RIVAL OF FRANCE'S SARKOZY CALLS REJECTING TURKEY’S EU BID A “MISTAKE”

French Socialist presidential contender Segolene Royal this week said that her conservative rival Nicolas Sarkozy was wrong to reject Turkey’s EU membership bid outright. Royal said it was a mistake to slam the door on Turkish accession to the EU but did not rule out a close partnership rather than full membership. “Any brutal statement like the one we heard rejecting Turkey would have disastrous effects, but at the same time I think we have to see the reality of concerns that Europe must have stable borders while making partnership,” added Royal. /Turkish Daily News/[07] RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE HEAD DECRIES POPE’S REMARKS

Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoglu yesterday decried Pope Benedict XIV’s statements linking Islam to violence, calling them extraordinarily worrying, saddening and unfortunate both for the Christian world and the common peace of humanity. Bardakoglu said that he expected both a retraction and an apology from the pope. /Cumhuriyet/[08] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[00] IS NATO BECOMING OBSOLETE?

Columnist Sami Kohen comments on NATO. A summary of his column is as follows:

“Britain's The Guardian yesterday mentioned an old joke sometimes heard in NATO circles. Of course NATO normally stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. During times of crisis, diplomats and newspapers say these initials really mean ‘Now Almost Totally Obsolete.’ Today, this joke is being made about sending additional soldiers to Afghanistan. Is the 57-year- old NATO becoming obsolete or losing its old power? NATO was founded when the Cold War broke out, and it defined its duty and function until the collapse of the Berlin Wall very clearly. Its aim was to establish a deterrent to Soviet expansionism, protect security in the North American- Europe region (including Turkey), and ensure solidarity and cooperation among the allies in military and political areas. After the end of the Cold War and breakup of the Soviet Union, NATO expanded and moved the limits of its mission outside Europe. Following its various missions in the Balkans, it carried out its ‘cross-border’ operation in Afghanistan. NATO undertook the UN task of putting a multinational peacekeeping force in this country.

Actually, NATO got good results in such duties as keeping the peace in Afghanistan and leading the country’s reconstruction. However, when the Taliban, which is dominant in southern Afghanistan, recently started to be seen in other regions, the situation changed. This time NATO became the target with the US, and the forces in the south were insufficient and helpless in this guerilla war. In this case, NATO political and military leader requested ‘additional force’ (at least 2,500 soldiers). However, the allies aren’t willing to make such a contribution. As a matter of fact, most rejected this request. Of course, there are various factors behind this reluctance. Many European countries, under public pressure, don’t want to endanger their soldiers. Afghanistan is a dangerous battle zone now. In addition, most Europeans consider it a ‘US’ war’ and don’t want to be involved in it anymore. Turkey also doesn’t want to send additional soldiers. For Ankara, there are various reasons. Actually, Turkey’s military presence in Afghanistan is based on a definition of its duty already agreed on. It foresees placing Turkish soldiers in certain places (not the south) with a certain mission. Moreover, Turkey agrees with its European allies and doesn’t want to endanger its soldiers. Many people in Turkey are saying this: ‘The West hasn’t done anything to help us fight terrorism, so why should meet its request?’ Whatever the reasons, NATO’s reluctance about additional soldiers in Afghanistan shows that the alliance’s ‘cross-border missions’ and ‘new roles’ should be thoroughly examined. Otherwise NATO could really become obsolete.”

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