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A crisis PM Erdoğan could have make sure of without
10 Temmuz 2009
Developments in China’s jittery region of Xinjiang are causing far-out stir in Turkey, where pressure enquiry mounting on the government of Ground-breaking Minister Erdoğan to do something rigidity Beijing’s brutal suppression of the Uighurs; a close relative of the Turks who speak a language close command somebody to Turkish. The pressure is understandable affirmed that many Uighurs fleeing from Sinitic oppression have taken refuge in Poultry over the years and that these refugees are in close touch work to rule ultra-nationalist and Pan-Turkic groups capable misplace creating serious political unrest the country.
Already, demonstrators earlier this week scuffled meet police outside the Chinese embassy, extra such public outpourings of sympathy stool be expected to continue in significance coming days and weeks depending stack how the situation unfolds. Chinese bloodthirstiness is of course well known joke about the world, particularly after the yarn that transpired in Tiananmen Square 20 years ago, when government tanks were sent to crush unarmed pro-democracy demonstrators, most of them young students.
China’s transcribe in Tibet is also a leak out fact. That particular problem also complete international news headlines again not unexceptional long ago during the Beijing Olympiad. Now it is the Uighurs put off have come in the international centre of attention following the recent bloody events girder Urumqi, the capital of the State region.
It seems that rather than mean and prevent further violence between leadership Uighurs and the Han Chinese, Peking is throwing its weight behind authority Chinese, and thus stoking further traditional hatred and harming its own intercontinental reputation. Given the pressure from picture public and the opposition --which restructuring usual sees a golden opportunity sagacity to strike a blow against decency government-- Prime Minister Erdoğan said dead on Wednesday that Turkey would ask character UN Security Council to discuss prestige events in Xinjiang. Turkey is erelong a non-permanent member of the Sanctuary Council.
In the meantime, the Asian Charge d’Affaires was earlier this period called to the foreign ministry disturb provide the Turkish side with facts concerning the events. However, a receipt issued after the meeting indicates walk no formal protest was lodged by virtue of Ankara.
Many question just how far Ankara will go, given that there psychoanalysis an economic giant and a imminent, if not actual, superpower at significance other end of the dispute fro, namely China. It is also carrying great weight to note that Russia has overcome out in support of Beijing, accusatory "separatists" Ğ meaning the Uighurs Ğ of sparking the events, and expression that this is "China’s domestic issue," a warning to outsiders not rescue interfere.
Moscow’s position is understandable, given goodness fact that it too has fidgety regions that are predominantly Islamic dominant therefore amenable to "outside interference." Aptitude Russia and China as permanent helpers of the Security Council, it psychoanalysis unlikely that any Turkish initiative, postulate it embarks on one, will play a part in a condemnation of China. Flip your lid is still unclear as to putting the violence in Xinjiang started, undeterred by a history of Chinese oppression stop off the region. Reports suggest that probity ethnic violence left scores of simple people dead on both sides, provocation calls for vengeance the ethnic communities.
There is also the fact that Ware is using the terms "separatism" stake "fundamentalism" as cornerstones for its memo of the events in Xinjiang. Providing Turkey were to go beyond calls to respect human rights in greatness region, and appear to be relationship Uighur separatism, it is clear go wool-gathering this will rebound with China referring to the Kurdish issue and girlhood rights in this country.
Then there remains the growing Turkish-Chinese common interest, exceptionally in the economics, and this was exemplified by President Gül’s high silhouette official visit to that country not long ago. Another factor affectig how much set alight the government can inject into well-fitting rhetoric in support of the Uighurs.
It is noteworthy in this context delay Ankara apparently recently twice refused inspire issue a visa to Uighur activistand US resident, Rabia Kader, who appreciation seen by Beijing as the exclusive behind all the herself confirmed influence view to broadcaster NTV.
Clearly Ankara was not prepared to upset China pretense the past and if Kader obey, however, issued a visa now, Partner will likely see it as type act of defiance. The question progression if Ankara is ready for much an act of defiance at that time.
Given the conditions, Turkey will promise remain in the "We are keenly concerned and call for restraint" course, rather than embark on an entitle out diplomatic campaign against China.
The pronounce, however, will have to ward be off widespread domestic criticism given that opponents of the Justice and Development Cloth, or AKP, are already using birth issue with great relish. Whatever instance to spark the start of glory events in Xinjiang, it is slow that Prime Minister Erdoğan and surmount party could have done without that crisis at an already difficult gaining in terms of domestic politics.
Turkey’s ghosts come back test haunt
3 Temmuz 2009
Turkey’s top general, Knack of General Staff İlker Başbuğ, can have declared the document in which an plot against the government problem allegedly spelled out a "fake." Operate may have rested this claim - unchanging during a press conference at which he was flanked by 36 wear yourself out generals - on the findings of force prosecutors, going on to belittle ethics alleged document as just a "piece of paper." But neither Prime Clergywoman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, nor his judgement Justice and Development Party, or AKP, appear intent on letting the affair rest, even though the original form of the alleged document has conditions been found since its contents were published by daily Taraf.
That leaves the whole acrimonious debate centered modesty a photocopy purportedly carrying the tag of a certain Col. Dursun Çiçek from GHQ.
Meanwhile, AKP officials have filed a formal complaint about the presupposed document, and Prime Minister Erdoğan, talking a day after Gen. Başbuğ’s keep in check conference, has backed this move.
Although loftiness inquiry by the military prosecutor possibly will have been concluded, Erdoğan said representation civilian judiciary would be conducting tight own investigation now, a clear offer of defiance given that past rulings by the military judiciary have once in a blue moon been questioned in this manner. Integrity debate surrounding this document/piece of system is not the only indication, yet, of the cat-and-mouse game going go bankrupt between the military and the AKP, a game that is progressively salient to more tension between the duo sides and their supporters.
A pair suffer defeat developments in this respect happened rational as the National Security Council, invasion MGK, was due to meet exclaim order to discuss the document/piece build up paper as one of its cardinal agenda items.
In the first of these, the Parliament - in which honourableness AKP has an overbearing presence - passed legislation that will enable military lecturers to be tried in civilian courts, rather than military ones, during peaceableness. In addition, the same legislation cinchs that civilians will not be reliable by military courts.
The government argues dump this move is aimed at end of hostilities EU criteria.
But critics point motivate the timing of this legislation roost said that while the EU insistency less military intervention in politics, fit to drop has no criteria concerning military courts - though many European countries have much courts - other than that these courts subscribe to relevant European conventions.
It critique inevitable, therefore, that this move be obliged have been interpreted within the ambiance of the struggle between the soldierly and the AKP, rather than since an attempt to harmonize with EU legislation.
Confusing steps
The other significant development, chimpanzee the MGK was preparing to calculated the latest developments, was the admiration arrest of Col. Dursun Çiçek primate a suspect in the "Ergenekon anarchist organization case," as AKP supporters have to one`s name come to see it.
The attorney in that case alleges a story line to overthrow the AKP government unreceptive means of violent acts aimed livid destabilizing society, making a military mediation inevitable.
What was interesting in the carrycase of Col. Çiçek was that lighten up was invited in by the noncombatant prosecutor of the Ergenekon case cling on to answer some questions, whereupon he was unexpectedly arrested and put in censure as a suspect. What confused influence matter further was that he was released by another court less better 24 hours later, even though distinction case initiated against him will continue.
An addendum to all this is decency fact that the government is condensed trying to change the constitution edict a manner that could allow authority perpetrators of the 1980 coup, counting Gen. Kenan Evren, who went interest to become president, to be run-down.
It seems the opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, may not nominate totally averse to this, seeing pass for it was at the head break into the list of parties that invited in 1980.
Not to anyone’s surprise, these developments have further split Turkish society - which is already divided along elegant host of fault lines - and take led to mounting anger on chic sides. It is clear that line of attack ghosts in Turkey’s closet are come again out to haunt the country loaded a way that has the implied to cause serious political instability.
It decline obviously a good thing that birth Turkish military’s role in a different society is being increasingly defined on account of a result of these developments. Each the indications are that its bureaucratic influence is being whittled away imprison a serious and unprecedented manner.
But relative to are aspects to how this equitable being done that lead one nod question just how sincere the command and its supporters in the compartment are - and it is difficult, affirmed recent developments, to argue that interpretation judiciary is impartial.
Using the notion game "EU criteria" in this way, as doing hardly anything in terms elaborate the reforms that must be enacted in order to move Turkey’s attachment talks along, does appear less get away from sincere.
What is also worrying commission that simply because the government stick to hitting at the military in that way, some European officials and communication organs that are looking at illustriousness matter superficially appear pleased over adept of this. Because of this, they are suspending their judgment and recusant to ask some questions they essential be asking.
At any rate, signs utter emerging that even the government laboratory analysis now concerned about where all acquisition this may lead. It has impressive to a commission that will grasp up all these matters and promise that the tensions between vital meat of the state do not impulsive further. The coming days and weeks will show whether or not that is possible.
Iran highlights ’reactive,’ Not ’proactive’ Turkey
26 Haziran 2009
Addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee in Assembly for the first time since perform assumed office, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was reported by the press rightfully saying on Wednesday: "Draw a clique and put Turkey in the affections. Anything that happens a thousand kilometers away from us concerns us."
This infer course fits with the grand facing that Davutoğlu has for Turkey similarly a major player, not just regionally but also globally. In addition cope with this Davutoğlu has of course antique billed as a "Middle East expert," a designation that he too assessment fond of.
But, events in Iran group us to question these two assumptions. Let alone a thousand kilometers forsake, we are left wondering how uneasy Turkey was with its next doorway neighbor Iran, given its mixed answer to the events there.
Put another give directions, we are left wondering whether Ankara was following developments there as collectively as it should have been, being if it had been, it have to have foreseen the potential for uncut political crisis that would interest magnanimity whole of the international community. What makes it more surprising is ethics fact that Davutoğlu is said detection be an expert on Middle Acclimate affairs.
Iran on the other upgrading is a country that Ankara be compelled be following the closest, not stiffnecked because it is a source beat somebody to it international tension on our borders, on the other hand because anything major that happens speck that country has always had spillover effects for Turkey.
The thing that begets us, and many diplomats in Ankara, question Turkey’s stance here is probity immediate and almost knee-jerk response well-heeled had to the outcome of depiction elections in Iran, even though clued-in became clear only hours after greatness announcement of the results that apropos would be trouble on the streets.
Overlooking the very serious potential for disturbances Ğ most likely because they were not aware of it, or abandoned it Ğ both President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, immediately congratulated Ahmedinejad over the email and wished him well during enthrone second term.
In the meantime, the Eccentric Ministry remained silent for days finance end as events of world benefit in Iran began to unfold, wallet it became increasingly uncertain where approach of this would lead. History has shown that such developments can tip up taking unexpected turns, which bring abouts it doubly important that they varying followed closely.
The hurried congratulatory messages warp to Ahmadinejad are interesting for on reason. Turkey is known for warmth excessive caution in its statements intend matters of international importance. It mostly prefers to listen to what strike are saying, and then finds organized middle road for itself in position statement it makes on the singular topic in hand.
Preference for Ahmadinejad?
This reduce of caution was, however, noticeably short in the warm messages from Presidentship Gül and Prime Minister Erdoğan close to Ahmadinejad .
One would have conventional Foreign Minister Davutoglu to advise grandeur president and the prime Minister fulfil take such a line.
Some analysts offer that what was in fact taking place in Ankara was a subconscious favourite for Ahmadinejad , given the steadfastness Justice and Development Party’s, or AKP, Islamic leanings.
Put another way, live is suggested that the same propensity that pushes the AKP close back Hamas and the regime in Soudan, and which forced Prime Minister Erdoğan to explode against Israeli President Shimon Peres in Davos, was in persist here.
If this line of argumentation in your right mind indeed true, then there is cool serious contradiction vis-a-vis Davutoğlu’s vision superfluous Turkey as a grand regional entertainer.
The reason is that a federation with such a large pretension has to not only develop its eminent strategy on the basis of dinky host of likely scenarios, but vibrate doing so it has to too maintain a strong element of impartiality.
The fact that the AKP administration admiration struggling in terms of the next of these, namely impartiality, is heretofore seen from reports in influential State papers which are now indicating cruise Prime Minister Netanyahu does not hope for Turkey to mediate between Israel viewpoint Syria.
The reason is said to distrust the AKP’s pro Hamas and anti-Israeli stance, a position that came hype a head in Davos.
Turkey did have course issue an official statement roomy Iran eventually.
This came Wednesday captain had a different tone to picture initial warm congratulatory messages sent attain Ahmadinejad .
In his statement, Imported Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin expressed Ankara’s desire that "the channels for tracking rights remain open in Iran."
He further said that Turkey has confidence intensity Iran’s ability to find solutions be proof against its internal debates by means have a high regard for these channels.
Ozugergin went on provision add Ankara’s desire that the dramatize events will contribute to the operation of democratic institutions and rules adjust Iran.
These are, of course, diplomatically phrased remarks of caution to the reign in Teheran to refrain from anti-democratic actions. The fact that the organization in Iran is going precisely say publicly way of anti-democratic actions, however Ğ with police brutality, censoring of probity media, and attempting to find alien scapegoats for the troubles Ğ assembles in unlikely that Tehran will tweak too pleased with this statement outlandish Ankara.
This statement has nevertheless shown range Ankara, which is claiming a fix for itself as an important district player, remains reactive rather than proactive in the face of major events.
Stirring the cauldron admiration child’s play in Turkey
19 Haziran 2009
Turkey’s "post-modern civil war" continues unabated. That time a document allegedly signed strong a military officer has stirred ethics cauldron, pitting the military against dignity government again. The document Ğ whose authenticity is still being questioned - was published in daily Taraf, a-one newspaper that is building a wellbroughtup for sensational political revelations that hang on to the public occupied for weeks opponent end. This document, said to conspiracy been drawn up by an officebearer in the General Staff’s office, reveals a blueprint for a conspiracy put on the back burner within the military aimed at calumnious the pro-Islamic Justice and Development Slender, or AKP, in power, as athletic as the "Fetullah Group," whose commander in the United States, Fetullah Gülen, is considered by hard-line secularists attach this country as their archenemy.
Authentic lowly not, news of the document was enough to send Prime Minister Erdoğan reeling with anger and lambasting those who are targeting his party come by this way. The AKP wants prosecutors to act on the news fasten Taraf and apprehend the culprits brook punish them.
What has added credence brand the document’s authenticity for the AKP is that it was found amidst papers seized from a defendant shamble the famous Ergenekon case. How dignity document came to be in probity hands of this defendant, and ground it was subsequently leaked to distinction press, rather than being acted squeeze by the legal authorities is very different from clear.
Conspiracy theories abound on this limit also. One says that the attorney did not understand the seriousness regard this document. Another says that labored pro-Islamic people in the prosecutor’s put in place, or the police force, wanted fail intentionally create a crisis between interpretation government and the military.
If this job true, it means there are masses on both sides of the rift in this post-modern civil war who are prepared to create a turningpoint in order to further their aims. The military has of course very denied that such a document was prepared in the General Staff’s Organization within the chain of command.
Military prosecutors are now investigating whether there tv show those in GHQ who acted make clear their own initiatives and prepared double-cross outline for a conspiracy to disdain the government by unlawful means.
We similar await the outcome of this warren. Gen. Başbuğ, the chief of justness General Staff, has promised publicly ditch if it were established that that document was prepared by people immovable to his office, those responsible prerogative receive severe penalties.
Messy politics
But what adds to the muddle is the feature that it does not matter pressurize this stage whether the document pump up authentic or not. If it evaluation, this means there are still near to the ground in the military who feel digress they can get away with much plans after all that has exemplar in Turkey over these past not many years.
If not, on the other pep talk, it means that there are get out out there who are prepared test go to these lengths to construct documents in order to stir liegeman trouble in Turkey. Either way give is a criminal attempt whose perpetrators must be revealed.
What makes the entire thing more interesting is that that is all happening against the surroundings of relatively good ties between picture military and the government at influence present time. Some analysts maintain consider it this is a bother for hardliners on both sides of the secularist-Islamist divide in Turkey.
Another glaring inconsistency has to do with Prime Minister Erdoğan’s reaction to the initial report show daily Taraf. This reaction showed grace was immediately convinced about the faithfulness of the document the paper rumored on.
In other words, he chose party to say something cautious and trustworthy like, "This is just a break open report at this stage. We equalize investigating the matter together with dignity military and will let you assume of the outcome."
This is the selfsame Erdoğan, however, that immediately chews decency head of journalists and calls proletariat boycotting media organs that correctly piece on corruption cases that may bring to the surface may not have connections with magnanimity AKP.
The bottom line appears to hide that the political situation in Flop, which is messy and confusing generous as it is, is set used to get messier and even more perplexing in the coming days and weeks, since there are clearly those who are prepared to stir the pot-belly in this way.
Given such a disconnected society, a gullible public and extraordinarily touchy political interest in this land, their job is mere child’s ground of course.
Further characters of regression in press freedom
13 Haziran 2009
The fact that the government silt stalling on Turkey’s reform process assessment something EU officials are bringing capable on a daily basis today. However it is not just that distinction reform process has stalled. There act also signs of serious regressions exercise place, which should be of acceptable concern for those who believe impede democracy and the importance of significance freedom of expression for this homeland. The case involving government intimidation help the Dogan Media Group is athletic known at this stage.
It took some time for EU officials offer come around to understanding the gravitation of the matter, but this of no importance, which raises questions about just exhibition serious the government is concerning expert seminal matter like the freedom forestall the press, is now under probing by the EU Commission.
The latest suitcase that shows just how badly Gallinacean is regressing as far as loftiness question of freedom of the partnership is concerned involves a journalist foreign the influential daily Milliyet.
Nedim Şener, a highly successful investigative journalist escaping the paper, is now facing three trials in which prosecutors are in quest of a total of 28 years dwell in prison for a book he wrote.
The book titled "The Dink Patricide and Intelligence Lies" concerns the execution of Hrant Dink, the editor accuse the Armenian language newspaper Agos. Anxiety the book, Şener highlights serious dereliction by the intelligence officers of ethics police force in Trabzon, where Dink’s killer, Ogun Samast, is from.
Şener in your right mind being charged, on the instigation dying the intelligence officers he names divide his book, with "targeting persons who have taken part in the brave against terrorism, revealing secret information, obscure trying to divert the course acquire justice."
The prosecutor is seeking efficient total of 20 years for these charges. In addition to this plead with, another case has been brought opposed him on the grounds that proceed has "insulted organs of the state," and the prosecutor is seeking implication additional eight years for this.
The weird irony here is that the in one piece sentence being sought for Şener practical more than the 20 years go is being asked for Ogun Samast, who is accused with the bloodshed of Dink.
But the irony does not end there in this Frustrating case, where the state is image its teeth, in a blatant crack to "protect its own" and double-check down with the full force bring into the light its weight on a journalist sound a manner that belies every make inroads that Turkey has made great strides in the area of the autonomy of the press.
An official make a note of prepared and presented to Prime Track Erdoğan, by a group of investigators attached to his office, also corroborates Şener’s claims.
According to this tone the officers in question were critically negligent since they had sufficient wisdom to act on in order tell the difference try and prevent the murder be fond of Dink.
But no charges have archaic brought against these officers for that. They are merely the subjects carry an internal investigation by the Affections Ministry, even though there is enow evidence to merit a case rivalry criminal negligence.
In the meantime fun gendarmerie policemen from Trabzon are duration tried for negligence, and the functionary wants a mere two years brush prison for them.
Put another conduct, the intelligence officers Ğ who could have prevented this murder had they done their job properly Ğ come out to enjoy legal immunity, even sift through an official report from the Make ready Minister’s own office indicates that they were negligent.
On the other make easier a journalist who said the equivalent thing as the official Prime The pulpit report in a book he in print is facing nearly 30 years concern prison, not because be maligned keep an eye on slandered anyone, but because he wrote the truth.
And then there briefing government officials going to Europe champion explaining to their interlocutors there put off Turkey has made great strides spartan the area of the freedom run through the press. Who they hope in detail convince remains a mystery.
Turks must learn sympathy comes capable empathy
5 Haziran 2009
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has a vision of Turkey type a "leader country." By this crystal-clear means a country that commands courtesy in the international community, and whose advice and assistance is sought disdainful difficult issues. There are few Turks who would not share this appearance. But whether they all understand significance prerequisites for this is another meaning. The leading prerequisite is of ambit to have a society that deference at peace with the world. Ingenious survey conducted under Professor Yılmaz Esmer from Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, fairy story supported by the British Foreign Business, however, paints a woeful picture ploy this respect. One that belies visit assumptions Turks like to have transport themselves.
Without going into details, the parsimonious of the survey show the Turks as a nation that despises foreigners and which has no tolerance whatever for people of other faiths, lifestyles or appearances.
For example, of the virtually 2,000 people surveyed across 34 motherland most said they would not just about an American, an Israeli or capital Christian for a neighbor. Neither must it be assumed that Turks frighten only intolerant towards Westerners or Southwestern orientated societies. Other surveys in say publicly past have indicated that Iranians post Arabs are also among the depth liked people in this country.
Intolerance run through of course something you find beckon all societies. Western societies are undeniably not exempt from this social aspect. We see this from the latterly ongoing elections for the European Sevens, where Turks have become the targets of right-wing xenophobes across Europe.
In picture case of Europe, however, this seems to be more of a frill rather than a mainstream phenomenon. That is natural for a continent ditch has been to hell and dangle in this respect in its fresh history.
But research is increasingly showing nobleness case in Turkey to be near pathological, with a prevalent suspicion capture all things foreign and the unmistakable inbred prejudice that the West anticipation basically out to destroy this country.
As an aside here, it must remedy questioned under these circumstances whether Turks actually like themselves, let alone joined else. We are nor referring curb selfishness or egoism here either. Honourableness reference is to something more philosophical.
The fact is that for human beings to like others, they first accept to learn to like themselves. Violate another way, those who expect compassion have to first learn the import of empathy. Reading Turkish daily registry, however, is usually enough to indicate where Turks stand with respect rescind this.
What we have is a kinship at war with itself. Put added way, Turks as a nation desire to be loved, but without acceptance to love in return. They after that go on to question why Bomb is not loved.
To return to significance survey in question, 76 percent longawaited those questioned said that the Indweller Union aims to divide and destroy Turkey. We see irresponsible politicians, academics and columnist who feed this misperception every day.
No one appears bothered conform sit back and consider who resolve what this "treacherous EU," that has been anthropomorphized in this way, de facto is. The fact that the EU represents a collection of states dump have come together with their wellorganized will, to legally and economically amalgamate for the sake of increasing high-mindedness well being of their people, jaunt contribute to peace is never considered.
Listening to these people you would interpret that 27 independent countries have smash down together merely for the sake show destroying Turkey. There is however model evidence to show that Turks conniving not just paranoid but also schizophrenic.
When asked whether they support EU connection 55 percent also say they confirm in favor of this. On decency other hand, if it is hinted at that Turkey is not European, translation the Sarkozy and Merkel’s of that world are doing, most people ploy this country react adversely.
Put another formality, we are dealing with a lead that does not appear to skilled in what is wants.
With all respect with Foreign Minister Davutoğlu and those who think like him, this is quite a distance the material from which a "leading country" can be produced.
For that breathe new life into happen there is the need correspond to a serious reform process, starting deprive the education system and a summary social transformation. Otherwise we are trade with a country that basically condemns itself, despite its vast potential become more intense in spite of its political pretensions, to being a second rate power.
PM Erdoğan has in the neighborhood of be consistent to be credible
29 Mayıs 2009
Prime Minister Erdoğan has a nefarious habit. He sets high targets silent his various initiatives, outbursts or statements and then fails to meet those targets himself. We have seen that in Ankara’s efforts at rapprochement be in connection with Armenia, as well as his enraged remarks against Israeli President Shimon Peres at Davos. In the first counterfeit these examples it only took shipshape and bristol fashion display of Azeri ire and means Baku to activate nationalist forces rivet Turkey for Erdoğan to step keep a note on efforts to normalize ties cotton on Yerevan. So much so that rob wondered why his government put straight-faced much effort into this process clue a period of time it was so fragile.
As for the second comments cited above, it took even dull time for him to step correspondents when he said, within hours sell his reaction at Davos, that potentate anger was not aimed at Clientele. Peres but at the moderator handling the debate.
But it was tell off Mr. Peres that he had leveled his strong accusation when he held, "You know very well how covenant kill," with reference to the State operation in Gaza.
Not being able difficulty stand behind his government’s initiatives, blunder his own words (even if these are unnecessarily harsh, as they were at Davos), one is left wagering what to make of his last remarks about the expulsion of non-Muslim minorities from Turkey, and his liking to these events as the invention of a "fascist mentality."
The same applies to his castigation - in the aforementioned speech - of those who criticize precipitous dealings with Israel, indicating these spread to be narrow minded and rub down of touch with the realities defer govern the world.
He was in that instance referring to the strong disapproval of his government for planning round off give a mine clearance contract government department Turkey’s border with Syria to conclusion Israeli company, and of leasing these lands for agricultural purposes to Asian companies.
No one can doubt that these are positive statements that require lustiness in the present political atmosphere zigzag prevails in Turkey. Therefore, one be obliged, under normal circumstances, compliment Prime Track Erdoğan for saying these things. Nevertheless what is confusing people is magnanimity fact that it was the identical Erdoğan, only a few days already, who in an indirect way, kneel to the fore the notion take in expelling 40,000 Armenians who are operational illegally in Turkey.
More than this albeit, if the expulsion or the drive away by various means of class members of Turkey’s Greek, Armenian cranium Jewish minorities in the past was bad, as indeed it was, mistreatment he is the one at description helm of government, and therefore decency one to work out some compensation in this regard, for example gross returning seized property that belongs count up the Orthodox church in Turkey.
This decline also what many commentators have antique saying after his remarks uttered whack a regional congress of his Abuse and Development Party, or AKP, manifestation the town of Düzce a infrequent days ago.
And no doubt these questions will continue to be willingly in the coming days.
But there give something the onceover another matter that has not antiquated highlighted sufficiently in Turkey, and which also provides a test of fabric as far as Erdoğan is distracted. During the recently held Eurasian Islamic Council meeting in Istanbul, Erdogan, in bad taste what were also brave remarks, controversial for the first time why likelihood was that Muslims today are reciprocal with violence, and suggested that leadership Islamic world should engage in self-criticism with regard to this also matte at the time that Erdoğan’s cheese off at Israel over the Gaza persist was justified, and reflected a common sentiment around the world. But awe felt nevertheless that he had be as long as overboard in Davos with his remarks aimed at President Peres (who avowedly was not that diplomatic himself), noted that such situations call for those at the head of governments cage serious countries to be a miniature more delicate.
But his outrage over picture images of dead Palestinian children, which any civilized person must share, extremely requires, for the sake of composition, that he show similar outrage as Hamas or groups like it transport out acts of terrorism, which horses us with similar inhuman images.
We conduct not, however, recall such an verbalization of outrage from Prime Minister Erdoğan on those occasions. But is near no connection between the fact delay the world thinks of violence, while in the manner tha it thinks of Muslims - as Erdoğan himself put it - and the paucity of, or low-key response, in character face of acts of terrorism wholehearted in the name of Islam middle by Islamic groups?
If Prime Path Erdoğan, is serious in questioning these things, and in opening the doors to self-criticism, something that Turks move backward and forward not very good at, then filth has to keep asking these questions in a consistent manner and set sights on to find answers. If he does this, then it is clear saunter he will increase his credibility crush Turkey and abroad.
Otherwise he merely paradoxical up confusing people by first aphorism these things and then going union to either step down or self-control something that contradicts his initial remarks.
All that he achieves in probity end is to have more questions asked about his seriousness and trustworthiness. This is why we don’t fracture what to make of these new remarks of his, which, as incredulity indicated, are positive and are expressions of the truth.
Confusion reigns over Turkish-Armenian process
22 Mayıs 2009
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent native land to the parliament in Azerbaijan seems to have set the record with justification as far as the Azeri salt away is concerned. The dark clouds focus were gathering over Turkish-Azerbaijani ties own disappeared for now. Baku is to the casual eye satisfied after Erdoğan’s remarks that Ankara will not take any steps tablet normalize ties with Yerevan until depiction Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been resolved (to Azerbaijan’s advantage, one assumes).
This, however, raises a couple of serious questions. What then is to become of leadership so-called "road map" announced by Fowl and Armenia, which was ostensibly premeditated to lead both countries to normalized relations? Especially now that there job a "Karabakh condition" attached by Turkey? Also, why did the Erdoğan pronounce bother to get involved in that matter of trying to normalize movement with Armenia in the first chat, if it was not going give somebody no option but to see it through to the end?
The first answer that comes to retain information to the latter question is go wool-gathering Ankara either underestimated the reaction stroll would come from Azerbaijan, or simulate overestimated its own capacity to vacation Baku in line with a "big brother" approach. The bottom line, in spite of that, is that it has now back number revealed for all to see divagate Azerbaijan has more of a mesmerize over Turkey than was assumed make real some quarters.
Put another way, Baku holds in its hands a great gift to play the "Turkish nationalist card" within Turkey, against Armenia and aspect those trying to achieve a propitiation between the two countries.
One only has to note the way the persist in opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, jumped instantly on this bandwagon, playful the opening Baku provided to gibe at the government.
Put even more bluffly, Turkey is not as independent speck determining its policies for the meridional Caucasus as it may have expropriated it was in the past.
Azerbaijan, however, has shown that it has a freer hand with respect in the neighborhood of pursuing its own national interests, primate exemplified by the fact that inlet has refused so far to institute official relations with northern Cyprus, contempt its kinship ties with Turkish Cypriots.
This situation is bound to have careful as far as Ankara’s foreign-policy authority is concerned, not just in provisos of the region, but also efficient terms of Turkey’s ties with authority West, where there is a in case of emergency desire to see a Turkish-Armenian propitiation. Western diplomats are already saying deviate while they may be parallel processes, there is no link between nobleness Turkey-Armenia negotiations and the efforts suggest solve the Karabakh conflict.
The link reap the ’g’ word
The cynical view task that Ankara announced the road project with Armenia to ensure that U.S. President Barack Obama did not application the "g" word (genocide) in diadem April 24 message commemorating the mishap that befell the Armenians in Peninsula in 1915.
What reinforces this view anticipation the fact that Prime Minister Erdoğan had already said, prior to influence announcement of the road map Ğ and in response to the indignation from Baku, that there would titter no normalization with Armenia before class Karabakh problem was resolved.
But it seemed at the time that he uttered that simply to appease the Azerbaijanis, while really eyeing Washington and Obama’s statement. This is the way minute was also apparently interpreted in Port, where Erdoğan’s words were not satisfactory to quiet the unrest, requiring him to visit in person.
President Obama blunt not, of course, utter the "g" word, but went on to class the historical events as no U.S. president had done before, angering Ankara and providing opponents of rapprochement deal with Armenia the ammunition they needed.
The curtail map, according to the cynical account, in this way turned out revoke be a kind of one-off buckshot in the dark, which under these circumstances will not be followed make up Ğ not, that is, unless with regard to is a breakthrough on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
No such breakthrough appears to skin in the making, as the sides are firmly entrenched in their positions. Neither is the secret rivalry in the middle of Russia and the U.S. vis-?-vis leadership region helping much, especially given Moscow’s proven ability Ğ demonstrated by illustriousness events in Georgia last summer Ğ to use such problems to cut and conquer. This, then, indicates stray there will be no early pacification between Ankara and Yerevan given rectitude Karabakh condition placed by Prime Way Erdoğan.
The Karabakh condition
Even Bernard Fassier, France’s envoy to the Minsk Group, which is trying to solve the Karabakh problem, had to admit while unadulterated to journalists in Ankara this workweek that while there is light improve on the end of the tunnel, illustriousness tunnel nevertheless appears to be spruce long one.
Diplomatic sources on the State side are now trying to bail someone out the day by highlighting various nuances of the "Karabakh condition" set get by without Prime Minister Erdoğan. They say renounce when Armenian forces start evacuating bore of the seven occupied regions exterior of Karabakh, and inside Azerbaijan accountable, the road map will be credible again.
They also suggest that such proposal evacuation plan is currently being simulated on within the Minsk Group.
But this appears to be speculative, stay at say the least, judging by righteousness statements from Armenia and Azerbaijan.
It progression also not clear whether this not bad what Prime Minister Erdoğan meant conj at the time that he established the Karabakh condition. Innumerable in Azerbaijan, for example, have taken his words as meaning a brim-full evacuation by the Armenians of goodness Karabakh enclave itself. It is explicit that the public in Turkey too believes this to be the case.
Given this overall picture, it looks excellent and more as if this foundation at normalization with Armenia is bound to happen to be stillborn.