ANKARA SIGNALS AMENDING ARTICLE 301 AHEAD RELEASE OF PROGRESS REPORT
By Abdulhamit Bilici, Selcuk Gultasli
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 17 2006
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has signaled that Turkey may amend
article 301, which has been used to prosecute intellectuals and
journalists for "insulting Turkishness."
He said so while attending the EU troika meeting in Luxembourg
yesterday, but made no mention of a specific time frame to do so.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that he was pleased with
Turkey’s willingness to amend article 301.
Diplomatic sources stressed that Turkey made a promise to the European
Union about the amendment of article 301 but particularly refrained
from mentioning a schedule to do so.
Following the adoption of the Armenian bill in the French National
Assembly on Thursday, the amendment of article 301 seems difficult
to accomplish before Nov. 8. However, it may be dealt with before
the EU Summit on December 14-15.
Monday’s meeting between Turkey and the EU is the last before the
release of the EU Commission’s critical progress report due November 8.
The two sides discussed issues such as article 301, Cyprus, the 9th
reform package, along with regional issues.
Minister Gul directed harsh criticisms toward France in a news
conference where Rehn asked for either the abolishment or amendment
of article 301.
In response to a question, Rehn said that freedom of expression should
be ensured in Turkey as soon as possible; however, it may take a long
time to reach a consensus on amending article 301 he warned.
Gul, in response to Rehn, said that Turkey would not make the same
mistake that France made.
The parties did not discuss EU term president Finland’s Cyprus plan
at the ministerial level, though lower levels did go over the plan.
Rehn reiterated that the Finnish plan might be a "last opportunity"
for a solution on the island.
Progress Report Gains Importance
Diplomatic sources pointed out that yesterday’s EU troika meeting
was a fruitful one as they stressed Rehn’s contentment with the 9th
reform package and his reaction to the Armenian bill.
The progress report due on Nov. 8 has gained more importance because
of the debates on article 301 and Cyprus.
EU leaders will outline decisions about Turkey on December 14-15
according to the upcoming progress report. The EU leaders will
evaluate options like suspending membership negotiations or freezing
the chapters regarding the Customs Union according to this report.