Zaman, Turkey
May 28 2005

Turks in France are Confused too

By Ali Ihsan Aydin
Published: Saturday 28, 2005
zaman.com

About 200,000 Turkish descent voters in France will also vote in the
European Constitution Referendum tomorrow.

But they are confused as well. The ones who support the constitution,
and also the opponents of it defend that their decision is the more
advantageous one for Turkey. The referendum criterion for Turks is
“Is the constitution good for Turkey’s EU membership, or not?” People
of Turkish origin are confused because the extreme rightists say “No”
in order to refuse Turkey’s membership and the conservatives like
Nicolas Sarkozy say “Yes” for the same reason. Radical leftists say
“Yes” in order to support Turkey. Despite everything, the majority of
Turks in France believe that “Yes” will be an advantage for Turkey.

Elise-Apaydin-Sapci is the Turkish-origin Deputy Mayor of Metz
Municipality. She thinks that “Yes” will be more beneficial for
Turkey. Sapci is a member of the anti-Turkish Union for a Popular
Movement (UMP) and supports “Yes” like UMP but for a different
reason. According to Sapci, if the constitution becomes valid the
“majority vote” system will come and this will make things for Turkey
easier. Sapci said: “The things are so complicated” may be due to the
difficulty of being a Turkish origin member. She also noted that she
does not participate in the referendum campaign actively.

The constitution project, which has pre-occupied France the last two
months, is also discussed among the Turks. The French Joint Culture
Youth Council (COJEP), which was established in Strasbourg by Turkish
origin youth, published a European Constitution Manifest and called
on Turkish descent votersto say “Yes” to the constitution. Meanwhile,
Sabak Kiper, who is the spokesperson of the foundation and a member
of the Socialist Party, expressed his different attitude towards the
issue, criticizing the fact that there is no mention in the
constitution of the citizenship rights of emigrants.

Noting that there are supporters of both parties among their members,
Turkish Citizens Assembly of Paris General Coordinator Umit Metin, on
the other hand, says that they have adopted a common attitude. The
association had had to postpone the planned Turkey march, which will
start from Strasbourg and end at Paris. Calling attention to the
“atmosphere being no calm”, Metin notes. “There are both people who
say “yes” and who say “no” among the supporters of Turkey. Some of
them we invited would come and some of them would not. ”

Calling attention to the possible political changes in Germany and
France, the chief of the Anatolia Cultural Center in Paris,
cardiologist Demir Onger; on the other hand, believes that “no” will
not harm the membership process of Turkey and says, “Otherwise, is it
possible for the Armenian Diaspora to say ‘no’?” Having been a
candidate for the European Parliament elections but not able to win,
Onger accuses Armenians of using the constitution to their own
benefit.

Despite the biggest Turk population found in France (nearly 450.000)
after Germany, Turks have almost no presence in the political arena
of this important country of the European Union (EU). But it seems
like the Turkish debates, which continue for the last few years and
even reach to racist dimensions from time to time, have prompted the
Turkish nation to action. The participation in political parties is
increasing, and there are associations getting prepared to establish
civil society initiatives. Education is priority to the families from
now on. But with their separated image, Turks are still far from
being a strong minority.