Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Political row on Eurlings report in Brussels
Friday , 15 September 2006
Turkish deputies who went to Brussels this week to urge the change on
a key European Parliament report ended up in bitter argument — with
each other.
The European Parliament report on Turkey, prepared by EP Committee on
Foreign Affairs Rapporteur and Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings, criticized
Turkey on a number of issues, including Cyprus, a slowdown in the EU
reform process, the situation in the southeast, problems with
religious minorities, cultural rights and civilian-military
relations. It raised particular concerns about last November’s
Semdinli incident, during which a bookshop in the southeast was
allegedly bombed by members of the security forces, and called for an
impartial and objective investigation of it.
Turkey has provided a detailed response to criticisms set out in the
report. Turkish parliamentarians have been working in Brussels to
ensure changes in the report before it is voted by European
Parliament’s General Assembly. However, Turkish parliamentarians are
at odds because of conflicts concerning the section in the report on
headscarf.
Onur Öymen, deputy leader of the Republic People’s Party (CHP) blamed
the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party parliamentarians for
supporting the European Parliament report on headscarf issue. Oymen
stated that debating headscarf issue in international platforms will
cause national problems.
Oymen also blamed Murat Mercan, the head of Turkish delegation in
Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), to act
unilaterally, as he sees fit. Oymen said that Mercan held a meeting
without CHP parliamentarians, "Turkish government and main opposition
party have to act together in the international arena. They must speak
in the same voice. Mercan has participated meetings with EU officials
alone," he added.
Holding a press conference, Mercan said that the Turkish side aimed to
change the EP’s report regarding Turkey. Noting that they had an
impression that so-called Armenian genocide would probably not be put
forth as a precondition, Mercan announced that Turkish delegation will
continue to hold talks in Strasbourg, France next week.
Turkey forewarned European Parliament
Turkey communicated its displeasure to the European Parliament before
a press conference held under the EP roof by the Terrorist Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) militants, who urged the release of their leader
Abdullah Ocalan, diplomatic sources told TNA yesterday.
PKK militants late Tuesday urged for the release of their leader
Abdullah Ocalan during a meeting held with the support of a
parliamentarian group under the roof of the European Parliament.
Diplomatic sources said that Turkey had information about the press
release and stated that Ankara submitted its opposition to
EP. "Although Turkey could not prevent to press release, EP officials
said that each group in parliament has the right to organize a press
meeting," sources added.
Underlining that press release did not reflect the views of the EP,
sources stated that Turkey will resubmit its opposition to EP about
PKK terrorists press release.
The New Anatolian, 15 September 2006