Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Dec 8 2007

Writer appeals to court to acquit Zarakolu in 301 case

The writer of a book whose publisher has been on trial for insulting
the ambiguous concept of "Turkishness" has lent support to his
publisher, saying he is innocent.

Publisher Ragýp Zarakolu (L) receives a press freedom award from
Turkish Journalists’ Association Chairman Orhan Erinç in July.
Publisher Ragýp Zarakolu was on trial on Wednesday, facing a jail
sentence of up to three years for insulting national identity under a
law the European Union says unfairly restricts freedom of speech and
wants scrapped. Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which
makes it a crime to "insult Turkishness," has been used in the
prosecution of writers and intellectuals.

Prosecutors accuse Zarakolu of insulting "Turkishness" for publishing
a Turkish-language translation of a book by London-based author
George Jerjian called "The Truth Will Set Us Free." The book urges
reconciliation between Turks and Armenians and covers the deaths of
Anatolian Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks during World War I,
a highly sensitive issue for Turkey. "Ragýp Zarakolu did not write
the book. I did. In fact the information inside my book that the
prosecution finds objectionable is not even mine. The information
belongs to eminent scholars and writers, such as Dr. Vahakn Dadrian,
Dr. Taner Akcam and Stephen Kinzer, a Turcophile American journalist.
I used their information to promote a ‘fresh’ understanding of
history between Turks and Armenians, an understanding that would help
both peoples move forward in this new and fast-changing century,"
Jerjian said in a letter sent on Wednesday to the 2nd Court of First
Instance in Ýstanbul, where Zarakolu is being tried.

"These writers are not liars, who fabricate stories to undermine and
destabilize Turkish society: they are writers who want to the truth
to emerge, for the benefit of society and their fellow men. They are
not street urchins, who derive pleasure from insulting their fellow
men: they are adults who derive pleasure when the fruits of their
work benefit society and their fellow men. They are not criminals,
who inflict pain and suffering on their fellow men; they are heroes
who should be celebrated for liberating and enriching their society,"
Jerjian also said in the letter.

"In fact, Honorable Judges, I would state to you Ragýp Zarakolu did
not insult and ridicule the Turkish nation and republic. …
Honorable Judges, I urge you to acquit Ragýp Zarakolu, for he is an
innocent man," he concluded.

The trial was previously adjourned until Jan. 31, 2008, in order for
the defense to prepare, as Zarakolu’s lawyer, Özcan Kýlýç, was unable
to attend the hearing on Wednesday.

———————————————— —————-

Article 301 reform tied to progress in EU talks, say Turkish officials
Turkey will reform a controversial law the EU says unfairly restricts
freedom of speech when the EU allows its stalled membership talks to
resume, Turkish officials said on Friday.

Turkey has been under heavy pressure from the EU to amend or scrap
Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which makes it a crime
to "insult Turkishness," but Ankara is frustrated by French President
Nicolas Sarkozy’s efforts to block the negotiation process for its
accession to the EU. Sarkozy opposes allowing Turkey, a large,
relatively poor, Muslim country, to join the 27-nation bloc. German
Chancellor Angela Merkel this week also reiterated her opposition to
Turkey’s membership.

"There is full political will to change Article 301 — that has been
decided on — but the details and timing depend on the EU taking
certain steps," said a senior government official, speaking on
condition of anonymity. "It will be difficult to press the button on
new reforms [if no new negotiation chapters are opened]," the
official said.

French diplomats have been fighting backroom skirmishes in Brussels
to keep any reference to "accession" or "membership" in connection
with Turkey out of an EU foreign ministers’ statement next Monday on
enlargement policy, EU sources said. EU ambassadors were meeting to
try to resolve that drafting dispute on Friday.

Turkey hopes to open talks on at least two more chapters, or policy
areas, under Portugal’s EU presidency, which ends on Dec. 31. EU
officials said a meeting to launch negotiations on health and
consumer affairs policy and trans-European networks was set for Dec.
18, provided EU leaders agree next week on creating a "reflection
group" to study the bloc’s long-term future.

Sarkozy initially wanted the group to debate the final borders of
Europe, but the draft mandate likely to be adopted at a summit next
Friday speaks of examining "how the stability and prosperity both of
the Union and of the wider region might best be served in the longer
term."

Ankara’s friends in the EU are fighting to include a reference to
"commitments entered into," to underline the bloc has given its word
to Turkey that the objective of the talks is full membership.

But France has been blocking the opening of chapters, diplomats say.
Ankara Reuters

08.12.2007

Today’s Zaman Ankara