Turkish Press
May 12 2006
Where Is “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”?
Published: 5/12/2006
BY TUFAN TURENC
HURRIYET- Years ago when I was studying at a French high school in
Istanbul, Turkish-French relations were so different than today.
There were no problems but rather trust and warmth between the two
countries. To visit France, whose language and culture we were trying
to learn, was our greatest dream.
Back then the French language and culture were popular in Turkey, but
over time, American culture replaced it. Our society began to rapidly
adopt the American lifestyle. Today, there are deep rifts between
Turkey and France.
Hatred against Turks in France has risen over the last 10-15 years.
One of the greatest architects of that was former President Giscard
d’Estaing.
During current President Jacques Chirac’s first years in office,
relations began to improve, but he couldn’t insulate them from
political pressures and began to take a harmful course of action.
On the other hand, Nicholas Sarkozy, who is a clear enemy of Turks,
is the strongest contender for the presidential elections to be held
this time next year.
If he is elected, it is certain that our relations suffer a blow.
When I see this scene, I feel that I’m being betrayed, as a person
who made such great efforts to learn this country’s language and
culture. I no longer want to travel to France.
Then why did this happen?
First, it should be made clear that Turkey has no responsibility for
the current situation.
France is no longer Europe’s powerhouse. It has many problems, both
economic and social. Recent movements of both immigrants and students
shook the country sharply.
Al these negative developments are dragging the French people into
depression.
They have serious problems with 5 million Muslims living in their
country, and they don’t know how to deal with the issue.
The anger and hatred accumulated in their hearts against Muslims
living in France has been transferred to Turks, even if they know
little about Turkey.
Currently the country is experiencing a dramatic paradox, and France,
a European champion of democracy, secularism, and freedom of thought
and expression, is moving far from wisdom and logic.
France is in such a miserable situation, and has so lost its control
and identity of `liberty, equality, and fraternity’ that they intend
to put people behind bars it they deny that an Armenian genocide took
place.’