Zaman, Turkey
March 28 2005

Three Questions

SELCUK GULTASLI

Many events that have violated the harmony of the government occurred
following the December 17 European Union (EU) summit; however, I
place the most importance on just three: Firstly, the impression of
the existence of unrest between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Gul that has become widespread.
While no one can explain any rational reason how a one party
government is unable to assign a chief negotiator.

It is reasonable that Turkey has remained silent on the EU front,
remaining silent about the depth and breath of preparations ahead of
the French referendum; however, their inability to assign a chief
negotiator is without explanation. Suppose that we covered up the
chief negotiator issue with the French referendum, how would we
explain Gul’s non-attendance at crucial meetings, to be held with
Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Foreign Affairs Minister
Petros Moliviatis, which will deal with many crucial issues from the
Cyprus conflict to problems in the Aegean? What kind of reasoning
would be behind replacing the Secretary of State Mehmet Aydin as the
addressee of Moliviatis, while the Cyrus issue, which is the only
condition for us to begin negotiations on October 3, was being
discussed and while the extra protocol negations to execute this
condition had reached their hottest stage? What is of concern is that
the adaptation problem between the two Justice and Development Party
(AK) leaders would come to a halt.

Secondly, Kurdish nationalists and PKK supporters are under the
impression that they are garbling the EU process for their separatist
policy agendas. That the demonstrations, which were held under the
Newruz pretext, were about to break the agreement, which for the
first time in Turkish history may cause the Jacobian and taught
reform orders and the demands of the public overlap and lead to
concerns that being pro-EU is the same as being a US supporter after
the Iraqi war, that resulted in the increased wave of nationalism.
Considering the EU membership process is an important opportunity for
Turkey’s development, AK Party support and in the broader sense the
conservative circles’ vision, which was implicitly implied, with
regard to the EU, which has settled negotiations on the grounds that
it would be used to divide Turkey, has unfortunately been gathering
strength. The Newruz demonstrations, which coincided with the days of
intense discussion regarding the Armenian ‘genocide’ , revived the
historical documents of the Ottomans, which were fragmented because
of minority support, not only in the minds of nationalists but also
conservatives. From here on in the liberal- conservative circles that
support the democratic demands of the Kurds, may economize on their
support and may think twice before taking any steps. What is of
concern is that the irresponsible approach of the Kurds would slow
down the reform process in the country and would encourage the
government to be more indecisive.

Thirdly, the reaction shown by the EU in response to incidents on
March 6. Beating women should be condemned and it was condemned.
However, before completely understanding the situation, the scenes
that were broadcast for days on international networks and calls,
which were awaited in March in order to postpone negotiations with
Turkey, were immediately circulated, and strengthened the notion that
one little obstacle in Turkey’s 10 year-negotiation journey would be
enough to create waves of joy across Europe. A German journalist
wrote, “Only through good will, would the negotiations with Turkey
result in membership,” as he was surprised with the conditions placed
on Turkey. Turkey may not be able to show a successful performance;
but it could not find a good will approach in return either. What is
of concern is that there might be a rise in support for Turkey more
than the Ukraine for future membership to the EU, the Ukraine, which
has just been rescued from a dictatorship and which has not even been
nominated for the EU, and the expansion of the idea “What are we
doing where we are not wanted” throughout the country and the which
could cause the country to withdraw into itself.

What is hoped is, that these concerns will amount to nothing and that
the reform process will continue.

March 28, 2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress