Turkish press 2 May 05
BBC Monitoring Service – United Kingdom
May 02, 2005
The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and
commentaries published in 2 May editions of Turkish newspapers
available to BBC Monitoring
EU
Milliyet [centrist] “With the steps it has taken on the way to the
EU, Turkey has become a country which attracts world interest. At the
point we have reached today, Turkey has two options: by protecting
its economic and political stability, it will continue to be a focus
of interest for the world and become one of the leading countries of
the 21st century… Or those who claim that all evil comes from an
outside world hostile to Turkey will take charge of Turkey and by
becoming introverted, Turkey will become a country which loses the
chance for rapid improvement…” (Commentary by Osman Ulagay)
Premier’s visit to Israel
Milliyet “At this stage, when economic relations too are rapidly
improving as much as military relations, it is clear that both sides
[Turkey and Israel] cannot risk taking their political fight to the
point of breaking off relations. Actually, the visit that Erdogan has
been paying – or rather had to pay – to Israel, which he accused of
engaging in state terrorism, is also an expression of this… While
our Islamic press, which is more Arab more than the Arabs, is cursing
this visit by Erdogan, the Palestinians are very pleased with the
visit.” (Commentary by Semih Idiz)
Yeni Safak [liberal, pro-Islamic] “If you say ‘No’ to the USA, pour
out your anger on Israel, saying ‘What you are doing is state
terrorism’, all the things you do are right. But after a while, you
face problems like the Armenian issue, the Cyprus issue, the Kurdish
issue, issues like the IMF and relations with the EU, which are all
happening on the international arena. You will be put under pressure.
Why have you arranged a visit to Israel? Because that is what
realpolitik requires. Tension with the USA cannot continue because
that is contrary to realpolitik.” (Commentary by Ahmet Tasgetiren)
Turkey/USA
Milliyet “Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Israel, as
well as dealing with bilateral and regional relations, is intended to
please Washington too. The timing of the Incirlik [airbase] agreement
and the recent visit to Afghanistan [by Erdogan] can be seen as
activities aimed at the Oval Office… The latest statements [by
Erdogan] show that he has finally understood that his getting a green
light for his wish to meet Bush at the White House by the beginning
of summer is also somewhat linked with how he speaks. Washington,
which thinks that the AKP [Justice and Development Party] government
has for months not been understanding about events in its region and
in trans-Atlantic relations, now finds Erdogan’s new pronouncements a
relief.” (Commentary by Yasemin Congar)
Cumhuriyet [secular, Kemalist] “There is talk of Erdogan going to the
USA in May. He wants to crown this with a meeting with Bush… In
this respect, Erdogan’s gestures in the last couple of weeks can be
summarized thus: He put great strong stress on the USA in his party’s
group meeting. The meaning of the decree which was extended the use
of Incirlik by the USA has been broadened. And Erdogan has made his
visit to Israel happen.” (Commentary by Mustafa Balbay)
UK/elections
Cumhuriyet “The war alliance is being weakened. Blair is preparing to
end his political life by making the history as the ‘liar’ prime
minister… There is a strong possibility that the Labour Party will
win these elections. However, its majority in the parliament will be
very much smaller. After the elections, it will be impossible for
Blair to stay on as party leader. If he himself does not resign, he
will be toppled at the first conference.” (Commentary by Ergin
Yildizoglu)
Zaman [moderate- pro-Islamic] “…The UK is a main determining power
with the USA in world politics; it is the biggest supporter of Turkey
in the EU process, the EU president in the coming term; the second
military and the first intellectual power shaping Iraq; a great power
which has a say on Cyprus based on historical realities… The 5 May
elections are not like the American elections in which it’s thought
that everything will stay the same no matter who comes to power…
Just a couple of days before the elections, although the ruling
Labour Party and its leader, Tony Blair, are ahead, the number of the
commentators foreseeing a last-minute surprise are not at all
small… The Turkish policymakers must not forget the decisive role
that the UK still preserves in world politics.” (Commentary by Kerim
Balci)
Source: As given
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress