Turkish Press Review, 06-10-02

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

02.10.2006

CONTENTS

[01] PARLIAMENT BEGINS NEW LEGISLATIVE YEAR

[01] PARLIAMENT BEGINS NEW LEGISLATIVE YEAR

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prior to going to Washington for an official visit, yesterday addressed Turkish citizens at New York’s Sheraton Hotel and listened to their problems and complaints. The premier is due today to meet with US President George W. Bush to discuss a number of issues, including terrorism, Cyprus, Iraq, Iran, and the Mideast. During their meeting, Erdogan will seek Washington’s support against the terrorist PKK and on the Cyprus issue. Speaking yesterday, Erdogan said, “Our priority is the fight against the terrorist PKK and the Cyprus issue. We want the US administration to take concrete steps against the PKK and want the US’ support on the Cyprus issue to get stronger. I think that Bush will also talk about Iran.” Erdogan added that he would stress the importance of Turkey to prevent a clash of civilizations. Erdogan will be accompanied by a delegation, including Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, during the meeting. /Milliyet/ [03] GUL: “WE’LL DO OUR BEST TO FIGHT THE TERRORIST PKK”

Speaking to Newsweek magazine over the weekend, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul commented on the recent negative remarks of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, saying that Turkey would do its best in its fight against the terrorist PKK. Gul stressed that if neighboring countries don’t help Turkey, then it would do it by itself. “We cannot bargain with a terrorist organization,” said Gul, adding that division of Iraq wouldn’t be accepted by neighboring countries and that this choice shouldn’t be considered. Asked about Talabani’s remarks that the PKK would declare a cease-fire and open a new chapter, Gul asked what was the new chapter, adding that Turkey was one of the countries stressing the importance of Iraq’s territorial integrity. “We are protecting their territory,” said Gul. He further stressed that he appreciated that US President George W. Bush said the US would take serious steps against the PKK, but that now concrete results need to be seen. /Aksam/ [04] INTENSE WEEK FOR TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY

A crucial week for Turkish foreign policy starts today with the prime minister’s key talks with the US president, where Recep Tayyip Erdogan will seek concrete steps from the US on number of issues including combating the terrorist PKK in line with new Turkish and US special envoys against the terror group, and a list of requests for concrete steps on Iraq’s territorial integrity, Kirkuk and the status of Turkmens, and the Cyprus problem. Erdogan’s second stop is tomorrow in London to meet with his British counterpart Tony Blair, where Turkey’s EU bid and efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem will dominate talks. Erdogan will also ask Blair, whose country is one of Cyprus’ guarantor states, to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. As Erdogan works abroad to obtain concrete steps from the US and the UK, Ankara will host EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn starting today. While developments in the first year of Turkey’s EU talks will be discussed in detail, Rehn’s warnings could make Ankara uneasy on the anniversary of the start of talks. Rehn will also urge Turkey to amend controversial Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Angela Merkel, set to begin her first visit to Turkey on Thursday since becoming German chancellor, urged Ankara over the weekend to open its airports and harbors to Greek Cypriots, ahead of her key visit. /The New Anatolian/[05] TALABANI: “THE PKK IS FINISHED AND HAS NO FUTURE”

Speaking to Greek daily Elefterotipia yesterday, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said that although the terrorist PKK had prevented the formation of an atmosphere of trust between Turkey and Iraq up to now, today it is finished and it has no future. “There will no longer be such problems between our two countries,” said Talabani. “Our relations with Ankara will get better in this period. However, it is up to Turkey to make the terrorists leave Mt. Kandil and transition into political life, but I’m aware this is very difficult for Turkey.” /Star/ [06] CSU'S SOEDER: “TURKEY WOULD FORCE THE EU FROM ALL ASPECTS”

German Christian Social Union (CSU) General Secretary Markus Soeder this weekend said that Turkey’s membership in the European Union would force Europe from all aspects. In an interview with Rheinishe Post daily prior to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Turkey on Thursday, Soeder said, “Turkey is an important strategic partner for us, but we consider its EU membership mistaken.” Soeder argued that Turkey’s reform process was slowing down, saying, “The reform process in Turkey and its uncompromising stance on the Cyprus issue is an indicator that Turkey’s connection to Europe can’t be through EU membership.” /Cumhuriyet/[07] TURKEY TO RISE TO 20TH IN GDP

Turkey reportedly will be ranked 20th in the world with an expected gross domestic product (GDP) of $400.4 billion in 2007. According to a recent report released by the International Monetary Fund, Turkey’s GDP will rise 66.4 pct from $240.6 in 2003 to $400.4 billion in 2007. Turkey is expected to leave behind several European Union member countries such as Poland, Austria, Denmark and Greece in terms of GDP next year. /Turkiye/[08] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[00] ARMENIAN GAMES OF THE DINOSAURBY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)

Columnist Taha Akyol comments on a proposed French law to criminalize denial of the so-called Armenian genocide. A summary of his column is as follows:

“Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria once described French President Jacques Chirac this way: ‘Chirac, the tired old dinosaur who seems increasingly uncomprehending of today’s world.’ Zakaria was explaining that Chirac couldn’t understand how China has grown with its market economy. Doesn’t Chirac’s attitude on the so-called Armenian genocide confirm this view? The tired old dinosaur who can’t grasp the understanding of history, science and freedom in today’s world is behind old-fashioned political games. He’s taking steps to win over Armenia for France in the Caucasian region. This region is of course very important with its geopolitics and oil, but Chirac trusts Armenia and declares enmity against Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Last December 19 French historians published a declaration on ‘Freedom for History.’ About 700 scholars signed it. They repeated this when the law on punishing denial of the so-called Armenian genocide was debated in the French Parliament in May. The declaration said the following: ‘History is not a religion. The historian doesn’t accept dogma, doesn’t have respect for any prohibition; this can be inconvenient, but history is not ethics. Historians don’t condemn or glorify, they explain. History is not the slave of current events.’ The same law is being considered now. Historian Jean- Pierre Azema compares the determination of history by law to the Soviet interpretation of history. France has accepted a law that the good parts of colonialism will be explained in history books.

Some will ask whether the Armenian question is being debated in Turkey. As soon as the decision to cancel the conference on Armenia was made, I criticized the decision on TV. Many people criticized it. The issue is discussed in Turkey, but banned in France. French politicians of Armenian origin said the following: ‘Turks massacred Armenians because the Armenians cooperated with France. Don’t forget that Armenia used to be a French colony.’ These words aim at French people who like colonialism, but they are a big lie. Armenia was never a colony of France. It is a lie, but important. It reflects the hatred of Armenians and French arrogance. This hatred and arrogance is behind the law on the so-called Armenian genocide.”

[09] OPPORTUNITY

“Cease-fire, or laying down of arms? These two concepts are confused in the terrorist PKK’s remarks about the decision to take a cease-fire. Certain statements are seen as the laying down of arms. The PKK declared a cease- fire. If a terrorist group declares a cease-fire, it’s the result of its tactics. Countries which fight terrorism benefit from this process in order to end the violence. However, as in Spain, the final aim is not the cease- fire, but the laying down of arms. The Batasuna Party in Spain, ETA’s legal wing, was closed down on the grounds that its leaders didn’t condemn the group’s armed actions. In order to talk to ETA, Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero stipulated that its arms should be laid down unconditionally. The IRA in Ireland could take a step into the system after it laid down its arms. The PKK’s declaring a cease-fire is positive in terms of stopping the bloodshed, but it’s insufficient. Turkey has to cease to be a country where both security forces and terrorists are in the mountains. In addition, our aims can’t be reached by a country which carries the burden of weapons and violence. Can we reach the aim of democratization, development and becoming a regional actor under the shadow of weapons? What can you see when you look back ever the last 20 years? Are we going to see the same things 20 years hence?

If we leave the stage to the weapons, we can’t reach our aims. The cease- fire is a step, but it’s insufficient. The terrorist PKK should lay down its arms. The road should be opened for independent, new, creative and constructive political formations. Turkey should also be ready for the change to be brought by a terrorist group’s laying down its arms. However, it has no political, psychological and social indications yet. An atmosphere where the terrorist group’s promises can be marginalized should be created. However, nobody’s thinking about this. For the last 30 years, Turkey has been a country where young people are thrown into various winds. Can we embrace such a change with a separatist ideological equipment which says ‘leave this place’ to those who think differently? We have opportunities. We’re approaching a turning point in the Iraq war. The US administration has to give positive messages to the public before next month’s elections. The US might withdraw some of its soldiers from the region, but not all of them. It’s considered almost certain that the US soldiers’ presence in northern Iraq will continue, because this is a stable region. It’s not easy for the PKK to continue its activities, as its presence in the region has the risk of instability. The political lifelines of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and regional leader Massoud Barzani depend on their ties with Turkey. Improving these relations and increasing cooperation are the most influential factors to prevent the opposition movement’s strengthening in northern Iraq. If the problem of Kirkuk can be solved in a way that all the elements in Iraq can accept, the formations which will threaten stability in northern Iraq won’t have a chance to survive. Yes, we have an opportunity. We have the opportunity to reach an atmosphere where Turks, Kurds, non-Muslims and Muslims carry their identities proudly, and where fundamentalists, provocateurs and separatists can’t find any audience.”

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