Kurdistan Observer, MI
Nov 18 2004

The Kurds, Turkey’s metamorphosis to a European state

By: Adil Al-Baghdadi

Turkey’s bid and eagerness to join EU is a welcome sign that the
country wants to change and shake off its not so glamorous 80 years
past of either direct tyrannical military rule or intermittent
military-controlled civilian governments.

The heirs of Ataturk and the despotic Ottoman rule, which fought the
Europeans for centuries and stopped the flow of renaissance to reach
regions within its domain – especially the Middle East – are now
knocking at every European door and begging for an admission.

However, it seems that Turkey’ military and civilian leaders do not
realize, just like Ataturk didn’t, that being a European means more
than wearing a suit and a tie.

And acting like one is certainly nothing to do with the fact that
their country has a bit of a territory within the European continent,
which in fact was an integral part of Greece.

To be part of Europe and declare one is European is not also by
joining the Eurovision contest and parade scantly clad and beautiful
young Turkish women.

There is more to it than that, in fact there are more than 600 years
of it to be precise.

As throughout many centuries of the despotic Ottoman rule Europe went
through complete social, political and cultural transitions,
especially during the renaissance era, the likes of which have not
yet being tried in Middle East let alone Turkey.

This era has shaped Europe to what it is now, a collection of
countries that has strong adherence to democratic principles,
unwavering conviction in human and equal gender rights rights and
above all tolerance towards anything that is different, be it ethnic
and religious groups, homosexuals and others.

By contrast, the present Turkey, which is a by-product of Ataturk
supremacist, Kurdish-hating and jingoistic mentality still has a very
long way to go to convince even its ardent supporter in Europe that
it has changed, but not on the cosmetic level.

Many reports in Turkish dailies frequently caries news about the
Turkey that everyone has come to know, that’s to say a Turkey that is
intolerant towards the Kurdish population in northern Kurdistan and
Kurdish gains in southern Kurdistan.

The underlying tone of such articles and reports describe the
inexplicable derision and mistrust towards people who contributed
greatly to creating Turkey – which afterwards denied their existence
for more than 80 years – and who will yet again contribute to
Turkey’s accession to European Union.

In one such report the Turkish Human Right Organization head, Yusuf
Alatas, describes the current situation in Turkey regarding the
supposedly newly found rights for Kurds to broadcast and teach
Kurdish.

In it he says: `Has the problem of broadcasting in native language
been solved with a half-hour broadcast, when in fact watching private
TV channels in the same native language is not allowed? And will
people attend Kurdish courses where they have to undergo
interrogation?

Are people asked personal questions when enrolling in English
language courses? After all they pay money to attend these courses’.

Turkey should not expect to qualify to the much-prized club
membership by applying a trimmed down versions of EU adaptation
packages.

What’s more, it should not assume to be treated like a European state
when it still relapses back to its tyrannical past in between now and
then.

To behave, act and think like a European takes centuries.

It would be a tall order and implausible demand, however desirable
and beneficial that maybe, to ask Turkey to enrol en-masse all of its
military and civilian leaders in courses ranging from studies in
European history, human rights, multi-ethnic societies in democracies
and rights of nations for self-determination.

They even may find it useful to enrol in courses in basic decorum
such as tolerance and respect towards others.

Also it would be a far-fetched request to ask Turkey’s establishment
and its military leaders to take long sessions with European
psychiatrists to rid themselves from the Kurdo-phobia, which has
besotted them and has gripped Turkey for centuries and up until now.

But, heaven to be hold, there is a short cut for Turkey to become a
modern European entity that is by embracing and helping the Kurds in
Northern Kurdistan to achieve political and cultural rights.

And by owning up to the genocide of Armenians and by granting
cultural and political rights to Turkey’s substantial Arab, Greek,
Assyrians and Laz population and others.

This would convince even its staunchest opponent in Europe and
millions of Kurds that Turkey is on the right track to become a true
European country.

The travesty of justice for Turkey is that the very people whom she
disowned, decimated, humiliated and culturally annihilated for more
than 80 years are now the most critical factor in deciding whether
Turkey can be part of Europe or not.

Adil Al-Baghdadi
London
adil_al_baghdadi@hotmail.com