MHP LEADER BAHCELI SLAMS PRAISE OF US PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA

Today’s Zaman
Nov 12 2008
Turkey

MHP leader expresses support for State Minister Nimet Cubukcu’s
attitude as a stance by a statesman.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli has strongly
rebuked those who assert that the US has resolved its racism problem
by electing Barack Obama as president and that Turkey should take
this as a model.

Speaking at his party’s weekly group meeting, Bahceli started
his address by mentioning Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of
the republic, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of his
death. Referring to Obama’s election as president of the US,
Bahceli acknowledged it was a significant event, adding, however,
that it was extremely exaggerated. Bahceli further noted that the
presence of circles paying greater emphasis and attention to this
election than their own citizens is a typical example of an ongoing
intellectual crisis.

Recalling that Obama and the US are being praised with particular
reference to the argument that the US has overcome its issue of racism
and that Turkey is next in addressing this problem, Bahceli stresses
that the most frequent remark on Obama’s election implies that the
recent change in the US should be taken as a model for Turkey. "I
suggest that those with this mindset take a look at their own past and
the sons of foreigners who rose to the ranks of viziers and sultans in
our thousands-of-years-long administrative history instead of the US."

Arguing that Turks had achieved and maintained their current high moral
standards and values centuries ago, Bahceli further said: "I would
like to remind those who praise the rise of the grandson of a Kenyan
farmer to the rank of US president that the children of the republic
who have come from all over Anatolia — from every social background
and group without facing any disadvantages or discrimination — have
become presidents, prime ministers, deputies and generals during the
republican regime."

A cautionary optimism

Bahceli also says he is partly optimistic and mostly cautious about
Obama’s policies concerning Turkey, stressing that he is hopeful
bilateral relations between Turkey and the US will be consolidated
because of this optimism. Bahceli further noted that Iraqi Kurdish
leader Massoud Barzani supports the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
and is jeopardizing regional stability and security. Recalling Obama’s
remarks made shortly before the American presidential election in
which Obama reiterated his support for the alleged Armenian genocide,
Bahceli also underlined that the new US administration’s policies
vis-a-vis the Cyprus problem are particularly important. The MHP
leader added that they expect a realistic approach toward Turkey,
one which will emphasize the significance of bilateral relations with
President-elect Obama.

Noting that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government
failed to pursue a sound policy on bilateral relations so far and that
it should use this opportunity to embrace a dramatically different
mindset to promote a national interest-oriented policy approach,
Bahceli said: "It is proper to take a look at the presidential
election in the US from this perspective. It will be necessary to
seek new ways in the new era to make sure that Turkey gets off the
wrong path it has taken with minimum damage. To this end, I think
it will be better to stay away from binding engagements with the new
American administration without actually seeing its new approach in
fields that closely concern Turkey."

Asserting that recent developments with respect to the Cyprus issue
over the past five years as well as the AK Party government’s failed
and submissive policies had taken the resolution of this vital
issue for Turkey to a precarious level, Bahceli further argued that
the ground for a resolution to the issue had slipped away. Noting
that a new resolution should be sought to ensure the creation of a
structure with two regions, two nations and two states, Bahceli says:
"Policies the new US administration will pursue as regards the Cyprus
issue will be of particular importance."

Recalling that close ties with Armenia and campaigns sponsored
by Armenian lobbies in the US have had negative repercussions for
US-Turkish bilateral relations, Bahceli said: "The new US president’s
views and approach supporting Armenian arguments during his election
campaign are worrying. The new administration should adopt a realistic
political approach that will emphasize the significance of bilateral
relations to both sides."

Bahceli also expressed support to State Minister Nimet Cubukcu, who has
criticized Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson for secretly recording inside
institutions for developmentally disabled children run by the Social
Services and Child Protection Agency. Describing Cubukcu’s attitude
as a stance by a statesman, Bahceli also endorsed her approach to the
Huseyin Uzmez child abuse case. Bahceli said Cubukcu’s objection to
a forensic report in the case was appropriate, adding that his party
is ready to extend any help and support needed in the matter.