QUEEN BEATRIX VISITS TURKEY AS A GOOD FRIENDBY HANS ANDRINGA

Radio Netherlands, Netherlands
Feb 26 2007

During her state visit to Turkey this week, Queen Beatrix will be
facing several thorny issues. The question is, will the queen choose
the path of least resistance, or will she seize the opportunity
to make some potentially confronting statements as ‘a good friend
of the Turkish people’. Will she dwell, for example, on the need
for democratic reforms, the observation of human rights or on the
Armenian genocide?

Turkey and the Netherlands are old friends. Relations date back to
1612. What brings an added dimension to this week’s state visit by
Queen Beatrix is the large number of people of Turkish descent who
are either now living in the Netherlands or used to live there for
decades before returning to Turkey.

The schedule of Queen Beatrix, who will be accompanied by Crown
Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima, includes the
usual recreational elements underscoring the long friendship between
the two nations. Visits to museums, palaces and mosques, a boat trip
on the Bosporus, the strait separating the European and Asian parts
of the country, and conversations with Turkish workers who returned
home from the Netherlands.

But the question is, should the queen address the vexed issue of the
Turkey’s drive to become a member of the European Union? Should she
discuss human rights?

Don’t mince your words

Transport Minister Camiel Eurlings, who as an EMP was responsible
for monitoring Turkey’s progress, believes she should:

"I hope the queen will find an opportunity to not only strengthen the
bonds of friendship, but use this friendship to encourage Turkey to
continue introducing democratic reforms and move ever closer to us
(the Dutch, Europeans) in terms of freedom and tolerance."

During earlier state visits to Argentina and Israel, Queen Beatrix
has shown she does not shun difficult subjects. For example, when she
was visiting Israel, she did not keep silent about the painful truth
that many Jews were deported to German destruction camps because few
Dutchmen offered effective resistance.

Be critical for Turkey’s sake

For Turkish citizens, expressing your opinion is not without risk.

Heavy sentences are imposed on those who say that the deaths of
hundreds of thousands of Armenians during World War I constitute
genocide. Conservative VVD MP Hans van Baalen says talking about the
past is what allows you to learn lessons from it. "Which is why the
queen should bring these issues up. It will make Turkey stronger."

However, Turkey expert Professor Erik-Jan Zurcher of the University
of Leiden believes it would better be better if the queen did not
mention this sensitive issue.

"It would only put the small group of Turkish intellectuals that
concern themselves with the issue in a difficult position, enabling
nationalists to portray them as mouthpieces of European interests".

Criticism can be harmful Mr Zurcher also points at the decreasing
support for EU membership among the Turkish population, which he
blames on the continuing European criticism of Turkey.

It is up to the queen to find the right tone which does justice to both
the mutual friendship and to the future interests of both countries.

The first blemish on the queen’s state visit shows how easy it is to
make a mistake. Turkish President Ahmet Sezer will not be able to
attend a concert hosted by Queen Beatrix. The strict separation of
church and state does now allow his presence at a concert that will
also be attended by women wearing headscarves.

ntaffairs/tur070226mc

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress