FROM NOW ON EVERYTING GETS MORE DIFFICULT
Hurriyet Daily News
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Some developments we don’t take seriously. The Armenian initiative
in this respect is a very typical example.
We want to leave a hostility of a century behind us. Despite
deep-rooted beliefs in people for a century we are seeking peace. This
is such an important step and requires such braveness that it should
not be underestimated. And when it turns out to be a success, Turkey
and Armenia will benefit.
Foremost, we need to applaud Sarkisyan and Gul. They started the
kick-off together and the ball keeps rolling.
Let’s take a look at what will happen next.
First, the approval of the protocols in the parliaments of the two
countries will cause problems. The Armenians will pressure Ankara
to approve as soon as possible and will say, "As long as you don’t
approve we can’t take it for approval on our part." Turkey will ask the
Armenians for further development regarding the Karabakh issue and say,
"If you do not reach consensus with the Azerbaijanis our Parliament
won’t approve this protocol." The Azerbaijani will interfere and hold
Turkey back trying to obtain more compromise from the Armenians. The
key is in hands of the Minsk Group headed by the U.S., Russia and
France. If this group could force both sides into a consensus the
solution would be much easier.
When might there be a solution?
To determine a time for this process and estimate when to obtain a
result is impossible. We are facing an intertwined function in which
one factor influences the other.
I believe that this process will be interrupted from time to time,
then resume again and continue with ups and downs like this. It will be
difficult but in the end maybe after years a result will be obtained.
Why would France entitle Uzan to asylum?
The situation has finally become clear. Cem Uzan, after escaping from
Turkey, went to France and with a plan prepared long before he asked
for political asylum.
And the French, lik y do in such cases, told Uzan that they would look
into his case and provided him with a temporary residence permit. From
now on they will examine Uzan’s application and see whether or not
his reasons are justified. This examination might be concluded in
five or six months or continue for years.
The right to political asylum is granted in case freedom is
eliminated and there is a threat against one’s life. Or else,
issues like commercial disputes do not provide for the right to
political asylum. As a matter of fact, such applications won’t even
be considered.
Cem Uzan’s application probably includes reasoning that as a leader
of a political party his freedom was eliminated and he that the
opposition threatened his life. The opposite is unthinkable.
France, taking this application serious shows that it views the AKP
administration as having a criminal record in respect to freedom. Paris
may reject this application after examination but its suspicion in
his view of Turkey will remain.
Minutes instead of camera?
Deniz Baykal will discuss the Kurdish initiative with the prime
minister in the week before us, but there is such a restriction that
one does not know how to overcome.
Baykal wants this discussion to be recorded on camera. Recalling the
Erdogan-Buyukanıt meeting in Dolmabahce, he says this is crucial
in order to avoid misunderstanding in the public later on. He says,
"Let’s film it so if there is any misunderstanding we can show it."
To tell the truth I am not quite satisfied. The prime minister with
great possibility may talk about top-secret information. To film this
will increase the appetite of some. And after a while there will be
pressure to have the film released.
Why don’t they go for special minutes instead?
Both sides would bring their own steno to take notes. And when the
meeting is over they’d compare to check their correctness. These
types of minutes are used for secret meetings everywhere in the world.
Wouldn’t that be a better solution?