Author: Nargizian David

NTV, Turkey
May 9 2005

Turkish PM: Meeting with Kocharyan not Certain

Turkey’s Prime Minister said that there were no guarantees that he
would meet with Armenian head state Robert Kocharyan later this
month.

May 9 – The Prime Minister is to attend the ceremonies in Moscow to
mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Speaking on Sunday before flying to Moscow to attend commemorative
services marking the end of World War II, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan that no request had been made for a meeting with
Kocharyan.

`There is no such request. We will anyway shake hands with him in the
ceremonies,’ Erdogan said.

The Turkish premier stressed that the meeting was not on the agenda
but that there was no reason why talks could notoccur in the future.

Turkey and Armenia are both being pushed by the European Union to
resolve their differences, especially over Armenian allegations that
the Ottoman Empire carried out acts of genocide against its Armenian
citizens during World War I, and establish formal relations.

Source: NTV, 9 May 2005

Thaw in Russia-Ukraine relations

BBC
Sunday, 8 May, 2005,

The presidents of Russia and Ukraine have agreed in Moscow to set
up a joint commission to examine sensitive issues between their
countries. Russian-Ukrainian ties were strained during Ukraine’s
December “orange revolution,” which saw pro-western liberal Viktor
Yushchenko triumph.

Mr Yushchenko’s presidential rival Viktor Yanukovych was supported
by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Leaders of ex-Soviet republics were hosted by Mr Putin in Moscow
on Sunday.

The new Russia-Ukraine commission will look at security, economic
co-operation, international relations and humanitarian issues, the
Interfax news agency reported.

The two neighbours remain divided over boundaries and the Soviet-era
Black Sea Fleet, based in Crimea.

CIS tensions

The BBC’s Sarah Rainsford in Moscow says rifts were all too apparent
at the summit of the 12-nation Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS) – the association of ex-Soviet republics.

Mr Putin recalled the countries’ huge contribution to the defeat of
Nazism – and called on their presidents to continue to unite against
terrorism.

But two countries were not even represented.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili is boycotting the World War
II victory events in Moscow, angry that Russia is delaying closing
its Soviet-era military bases in Georgia.

And Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev also stayed away, saying
he could not sit at the same table with Armenia’s leader on 8 May –
the date of a key battle in the 1988-1994 war over the still disputed
territory of Nagorno-Karakbakh.

Armenians Take Initiative to Remove Court Condition in Belgium
By Selcuk Gultasli

Zaman, Turkey
May 7 2005

Published: Saturday 07, 2005
zaman.com

Belgian Armenians intensified their activities to amend the draft bill,
which contains a provision for jail sentence and fine, for those who
deny the Armenian “genocide”.

Claiming that there are too many requirements for the jail sentence and
the fine in the bill, Armenian groups took the support of 15 senators
required to amend the bill. Hence it passed the Parliament and will
be discussed in the Senate and may be sent back to Parliament for
re-negotiation. The news that the draft may be amended increased the
discomfort of the Belgian Turkish society as it was making efforts
to stop the present bill.

The draft accepted in Parliament with 108 “yes”, 21″abstain,”
and zero “no” on April 21, makes the decision of an international
court necessary for the penalty to be imposed. The fact that there
is not any court decision that recognizes the Armenian “genocide”
prompted Belgian Armenians to take action. Armenian associations
bombarded Belgian senators with messages for the last two weeks
to remove the requirement of court approval. The signatures of
15 senators, who will set up the debate for the draft upon the
intensified efforts of Armenians, were gathered two days before, on
May 5. If 15 signatures had not been gathered, the draft would have
been accepted in Parliament in its original form and court approval
would have been required for the penalty to be imposed. In the new
draft, it is highlighted that European Parliament (EP) decision or
any country to enact legislation will be enough for the ones who
deny “genocide” to be imposed penalty. The EP accepted the Armenian
“genocide” with a controversial decision in 1987 and recognized
“genocide” with legislation enacted in France in 2001.

EU CONSIDERS FURTHER DIALOGUE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN IMPORTANT

YEREVAN, MAY 5. ARMINFO. EU considers important the further dialogue
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. EU Special Representative to the
South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie made this statement pointing out the
importance of the meetings of foreign ministers and further involvement
of the presidents into the process.

He said that OSCE MG co-chairs cannot act without continuation of
thew dialogue. The conflicting parties themselves must help solving
the problem. The Special Representative added that the co-chairs
must help establishing contacts and can also make their contribution
to development of cooperation in the region of the South Caucasus.
However, the unsettled conflicts in the regions prevent this, Hekki
Talvitie said. He added that despite the EU-organized numerous events
aiming formation of regional cooperation, regional cooperation cannot
be fully enjoyed until the conflict is not solved.

Poker Player Online, CA
May 4 2005

World Series of Poker Event #6: Words of Wisdom
by Nolan Dalla filed under Tournament Reports

WSOP Circuit: Event #6

Boyd Fricke gives us all something to think about:

When you grow up in open spaces, you always wonder what is on the
other side of the hill. — Boyd Fricke

Every poker decision is truly unique. Every poker hand is unique.
Every poker tournament is unique. And, every single poker player is
unique. Given the millions of poker players, one would be hard pressed
to find a man with a more interesting background or an individual
filled with as much personal conviction as a 54-year-old Reno man
named Boyd Fricke.

– Fricke was born into a very poor family on a farm in North
Dakota. His boyhood home had no electricity, nor indoor plumbing.

– Fricke joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam.

– Fricke has two uncles. One was a B-24 pilot in World War II.
The other was a prisoner is Stalag 3-B, on which the movie ‘The Great
Escape’ was based. He was one of the men who escaped.

– Fricke worked for a company after graduating from college, but
decided very early that he wanted to work for himself, instead. So, he
started his own company – which was ultimately quite successful. Later,
he retired from his business and decided to ‘see the world.’

– Fricke has backpacked around the world – twice. He trekked
from Lisbon Portugal to Shanghai, China in 80 days on his first
circumnavigation. On his second trip, Fricke backpacked in the
opposite direction, going through Khazakstan, Turkmenistan, and other
out-of-the-way places. “I have visited all 50 states, and have seen
even more countries,” Fricke says.

– Fricke was married, but following his divorce — he raised
his children alone. Today, Fricke’s daughter is serving on the city
council where she lives and his son is preparing to start law school
at the University of Notre Dame.

– And now, Fricke is the latest champion on the World Series of
Poker Circuit.

Lake Tahoe’s $1,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em event attracted 84
entries competing for $81,480 in prize money. Day One resulted in the
elimination of 75 players. The nine finalists returned on Day Two,
with Tony O’Hagan and Chris “The Armenian Express” Grigorian as the
chip leaders. Finalists arrived with the following seat positions
and chip counts:

SEAT 1 Bert Cardenas McAllen, TX 20,500

SEAT 2 Greg Cash Tunica, MS 11,600

SEAT 3 Keith Collins Portland, OR 15,800

SEAT 4 Tony O’Hagan Las Vegas, NV 38,600

SEAT 5 Eric Cloutier Mont-Laurier, Quebec 11,200

SEAT 6 Boyd Fricke Reno, NV 21,700

SEAT 7 Chris Grigorian Los Angeles, CA 32,600

SEAT 8 Sam Lam San Jose, CA 12,400

SEAT 9 Yuctan Hodge The Valley, Anguilla 3,800

Players were eliminated as follows:

9th Place – Yuctan Hodge, a retired businessman from the Caribbean
island nation of Anguilla arrived lowest in chips, had J-J and lost
to A-K when a king flopped. Hodge earned $2,445 for 9th place.

8th Place – Bert Cardenas, a 27-year-old contractor from McAllen,
TX took a bad beat and went out next. He had A-A and was ‘all in’
against Tony O’Hara’s 6-6. Just when it appeared Cardenas would double
up when the turn showed Q-9-8-K, a six fell on the river giving O’Hara
a set and Cardenas was eliminated. Cardenas earned $3,260.

7h Place – Eric Cloutier doubled up and took the chip lead over
Chris Grigorian when his A-Q spiked an ace, crushing Grigorian’s
pocket jacks. Greg Cash wasn’t so fortunate. A short time later,
the Tunica, MS-based player who has won numerous poker tournaments
was short-stacked and lost to Grigorian’s two pair. Grigorian got
some of those chips back and it was a two-way tie for first in the
chip count. Meanwhile, Cash cashed for $4,075.

6th Place – Sam Lam desperately needed to double up and decided to
make a stand with 2-2. The tiny pocket pair lost to A-K when an ace
flopped, and Sam went on the lam in 6th place, good for $4,890.

5th Place – Keith Collins had A-3, moved ‘all in’ and was covered by
Grigorian, with A-J. Neither player made a pair and the jack played.
Collins a business owner form Portland, OR collected $5,705.

4th Place – At this point, Tony O’Hagan was the chip leader, by virtue
of a few big hands. Then, Chris Grigorian started off with 7-7 and
was ‘all in’ against Cloutier’s A-K. The ‘coin flip’ hand turned
out very well for Cloutier, when an ace flopped. Grigorian, a.k.a.
“The Armenian Express” was derailed in 4th place, which meant a payday
of $6,520.

3rd Place – Tony O’Hagan lost a few pots and gave up the chip lead.
Then, he committed his final chips with 10-6 when a 10 was the
high-card on the turn. Unfortunately, Boyd Fricke (holding 3-4) had
flopped trip 4s and that pretty much settled the hand. O’Hagan, who
finished 4th previously here in Lake Tahoe, took 3rd place this time.
He collected $8,965.

The heads-up duel between Boyd Fricke and Eric Cloutier began with
Fricke holding a 2 to 1 chip advantage. Cloutier had been in this
spot before, finishing second in Event #4. The Quebec-born former
Boston Bruins (NHL) player hoped to avoid repeat bridesmaid status,
but was doomed to yet another finish as the runner up. Just a few
hands into play, Cloutier moved ‘all in’ with A-9 and was called
by Fricke holding A-7 suited. The two spades in Fricke’s hand were
the difference as the turn brought a third spade – giving Fricke the
flush and a WSOPC victory. Eric Cloutier took the ‘loss’ in stride.
He received $16,295 and has won over $50,000 this year at Lake Tahoe.

Following his victory, Fricke had a number of interesting comments
about poker, and life:

ON WINNING:

“It’s quite simple: The tournament winner is usually the most
aggressive player who hooks up with cards.”

ON HOW THE GAME IS CHANGING:

“I think the average player coming into the game is better than
he/she was five years ago. But they tend to have certain traits,
which are predictable.” One Tip: “They tend to overplay A-K.”

ON PLAYING IN BIG CASH GAMES:

“You shouldn’t play if the money is going to change your life (one way
or another). The guy who is playing for his rent money is a huge dog.”

ON TOURNAMENT POKER:

“The sport needs to clean up its act and stop the bad behavior. You
see these guys on TV and some of them look and act like they’re
(criminals). They pump their fists in the air and jump up and down.
The worst thing is, younger kids see this and they start to emulate
that sort of behavior.”

ON POKER TRENDS:

“I think they should do away with sunglasses at the final table. I
mean, where does it all end? Does it mean I can play poker wearing a
welding mask?”

ON THE POKER SCENE IN RENO AND LAKE TAHOE:

“I don’t like playing in a game where the atmosphere is not
hospitable. The games in Northern Nevada tend to be polite. This is
why I prefer playing here.”

ON KEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE:

“It’s all just a game of cards. That’s all poker is. I had one guy
tell me, ‘I’m not afraid of anything.’ I said, ‘Oh yeah? You ever
been shot at?”

ON BEING A WORLD TRAVELER:

“You learn about people and you learn about yourself. When a guy gets
upset at the table, and we’ve all been disappointed before, remember –
unlike three-quarters of the rest of the world — you can actually
afford to sit down and buy into a poker game. You have nothing to
complain about. Every day you get up in this country, you are on a
freeroll. If you live in America, you have won life’s lottery.”

At the end of a long night, when Fricke was asked if he plans to play
more major tournaments, including the World Series of Poker in Las
Vegas which begins next month, his answer was predictable. “If it
doesn’t conflict with some travel plans, maybe I’ll play.”

Indeed, for Boyd Fricke, there is always another hill to cross,
to see what’s on the other side.

Report by Nolan Dalla – World Series of Poker Media Director

World Series of Poker Circuit Director – Ken Lambert

World Series of Poker Tournament Director – John Grooms

Harveys Poker Room Manager – Vince Contaxis

Harrah’s Full Service Games Manager — Steve Schorr

Elections in Britain and Turkey
By KERIM BALCI

Zaman, Turkey
May 3 2005

05.03.2005 Tuesday – ISTANBUL 16:39

The upcoming elections in Britain on May 5 are being followed at the
most minimal level in Turkey. However, along with the United States,
Britain is the key determining power in world politics, the biggest
supporter of Turkey in the European Union (EU) process; the next EU
term president; has the second strongest military and the greatest
intellectual power to shape our neighbor, Iraq; a magnificent power
with the right to say something on the historical realities of
the Cyprus issue and Turkey will probably need its support on the
Armenian issue. The elections that will be held on May 5 are not
like the U.S. presidential elections, in which no matter who wins,
everything remains the same.

Commentators anticipating a last-minute surprise do not represent a
negligible number in Britain, even though the ruling Labour Party
and [Prime Minister] Tony Blair lead the their opponents in the
polls, a few days before the elections. When the election campaign
started, Blair’s political star began to sink as a result of the Iraq
quagmire. When Blair succeeded in shifting the agenda to the economy,
tuition fees, problems in the health sector and the fight against crime
and vandalism, most of the opposition parties dropped their arrows
of criticisms as well. Furthermore, when the Conservative Party,
which is the second largest political party in the country, brought
the issues of immigration and the destructive effects of immigration
to the agenda, it drew the wrath of the other opposition parties,
and also the Liberal Democrats were accused of racism by the extreme
leftists. However, going to the elections, it was expected that
the Conservatives, headed by John Howard, who is of Jewish origin,
would adopt exactly the opposite policy. Demanding immigrants and
refugees face a series of integration processes, which would culminate
in “cultural assimilation,” Howard could not see that the social
engineering measures he envisaged would destroy multi-cultural dough,
which is peculiar to Britain.

No matter who wins the elections, it is so very obvious that the
agenda during the campaign period will influence the direction
of post-election policies. This means the British government that
saw foreign policy as its main political maneuver area during the
previous election period will now turn more to domestic politics,
economic and social welfare implementations during the period after
the elections. This is not a good development for Turkey that is
awaiting crucial decisions on the EU process to be made during the
term of the British presidency.

Commentators expect the Liberal Democratic Party to spring the greatest
surprise in the May 5 elections, although it does not have the chance
to clinch victory. Party leader Charles Kennedy is seemingly the most
trusted candidate among all the leaders. Despite all that, maybe,
the society prefers to support Blair, who is considered a “liar”
by the people; however, there are some who claim that Kennedy will
be able to change the two-party system, that has been going on in
the country for centuries, in subsequent elections.

We should also mention two small parties that represent what the
public says, although they will not be effective in determining the
government. One of them is extreme-left Respect Party, headed by
George Galloway, and the other is the extreme-right Veritas Party,
where racist leader Robert Kilroy-Silk, is the only man. Galloway
conducts politics based on minorities neglected by the government
and has particularly succeeded in gaining the support of Muslims
involved in reactionary politics. On the contrary, Kilroy-Silk demands
that the country withdraw from the EU, accept immigrants only after
they succeed in competence and quality tests and adaptation to very
harsh laws against crime. Kilroy-Silk claims there is an unexpressed
anti-foreigner drive within the essence of the British society and
most people oppose the multi-culturalism in the country, and his
party is clarifying the reality by mentioning this disguised enmity.

The color in British politics makes it both exciting and difficult to
follow. However, politics bearing fruits that, on one hand, racism
is being expressed under the canopy of democracy, and on the other,
the unhappy Muslims are being used as tools for the domestic politics,
would make the possibility of digesting Turkey that is waiting at the
EU gates, very difficult. It is necessary for Turkish policy makers
not to forget Britain’s determining role on world politics.

BAKU REQUESTED OSCE MG TO ASSIST IN RETURN OF AZERI POWs

Pan Armenian News
02.05.2005 07:23

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The international group on search of POWs and
missing and release of hostages broke out negotiations with the Nagorno
Karabakh authorities on the release of three Azeri POWs captured by the
Karabakh defense army. According to group coordinator Avez Gasanov,
the group appealed to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to assist the
resolution of the issue. The mediators promised to attend to the
problem, Gasanov noted. “Now we are awaiting the outcomes of the
negotiations between the mediators and the Karabakh leadership. To
remind, the three Azeri soldiers were captured by the officers of
the Karabakh defense army when crossing the border on February 15.

Azeri foreign minister, Condoleezza Rice discuss details of upcoming visit – TV

Space TV, Baku
2 May 05

[Presenter] Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has returned
from a ministerial conference in Chile. He met US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice in Chile. Details of Condoleezza Rice’s expected
visit to Baku were discussed at the meeting.

[Correspondent over archive video of Mammadyarov] Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has attended an annual conference of the
foreign ministers of the Organization of the American States, which
comprises 35 states.

Mammadyarov delivered a speech on the reaction of regional
organizations to issues threatening democracy. Speaking about
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the minister
highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of over 1m refugees
and internally displaced persons following Armenian aggression.

The Azerbaijani foreign minister also held a series of bilateral
meetings on the sidelines of the forum. At the meeting with US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the future development of
US-Azerbaijani relations was in the focus. The talks also discussed
details of the upcoming visit of a high-ranking US delegation to
Baku. The US delegation is planning to participate in the inauguration
of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline on 25 May.

Christian Post, CA
April 28 2005

CEC President Attends Armenian Genocide Commemoration

The president of the Conference of European Churches commemorated the
90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

The President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), took part
in events commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide
in Erevan and Etchmiadzin, Armenia on Sunday.

The Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, president of the CEC, presented a
statement on the Armenian Genocide during which he urged the Turkish
government to initiate reconciliation between Turkish and Armenian
peoples by a `recognition of guilt and the proclamation of the
truth.’

He handed the statement in a private meeting to His Holiness Karekin
II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

At a ceremony in the cathedral of Erevan – which included the
president of Armenia, members of government, and a large congregation
– church representatives each offered prayers of intercession for the
others in their own language. Represented at the event were the
Orthodox Churches of Russia, Greece, Romania, and Syria along with
Anglican Churches.

The Reverend also said that CEC member churches considered a
recognition by Turkey of the 1915 genocide and the respect for the
values of the European Union to be pre-conditions for acceptance into
the EU, according to a statement by the CEC.

He said that the `atrocities’ which happened on the soil of modern
day Turkey, were `not only committed against Armenians but aso
against other Christian and ethnic minorities, in particuar Greek and
Syrian.’

In its statement, the CEC Presidium joined the World Council of
Churches in inviting all its member churches `to make April 24 a Day
of memory of the Armenian Genocide and to consider further
appropriate actions related to the 90 years commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide.’

Turkish Press
April 29 2005

Nationalist hysteria covers-up US cooperation

29/04/2005 Bianet.org

In spite of discrepancies regarding US occupation of Iraq, Ankara
inks military agreement of USD 1.1 billion value with Washington for
upgrading 117 war planes. “Ankara covers up collaboration with the
aggressor with manipulated nationalism” critics say.

BIA (Istanbul) – Military agreement with the US of USD 1.1 billion
dollar value for the modernization of 117 Turkish air force F-16 war
planes, sparks public debate regarding Turkey’s strategic relations.

Filiz Koçali, head of the Socialist Democracy Party skeptically
points out the coincidence of the recent surge of nationalist
hysteria and the military agreements concluded with the US.

`Whilst public attention was channeled into the ongoing nationalism
frenzy, first the government decree providing broader US use of the
southern Incirlik air base is was issued to be followed by the F-16
upgrading agreement.

`A mutual trade-off: Bush refrains from pronouncing the word
`Armenian genocide’, and gets Incirlik and 1,1 billion in return’.

A joint US-Turkish military installation in the Incirlik district of
the Southern town of Adana, Incirlik air base has been a major US
facility during the Cold War. Its operation for major military
undertakings, by a 1979 `Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement’
(DECA) between the US and Turkey, is conditioned with special Turkish
parliament decisions. Turkish parliament in March 2002 refused
involvement in the US war on Iraq, thus closing Incirlik base for US
air force flights directed at Iraq.

A recent Turkish government decree, introducing a more liberal
interpretation of the DECA, provides legal framework for broader
usage of the base for US forces operating in Iraq.

Some analysts, like Koçali, are of the opinion that, the abrupt
upsurge of nationalist hysteria across the country, particularly
after official denouncement by Chief of Staff General Hilmi Özkök of
burning of a Turkish flag during, the Kurdish New Year, Newroz
celebrations by kids in the Mediterranean port city of Mersin has
distracted public attention from fundamental issues.

Military analyst Serdar Sen is of the opinion that the recent
tightening of ties with the US should be interpreted within the Bush
government’s scheme of `Cooperation for a Mutual Future and Progress
for the Extended Middle East and the North Africa’ (CMFPEMENA).

Formerly dubbed as `Greater Middle East’ project the initiative was
designated by the Bush government as a reply to the 9/11 events for
`introducing peace and democracy’ to the Muslim world, then
reassessed to include North Africa as well.

Meanwhile, Cengiz Aktar an expert on the European Union integration
process, says that the relations between Turkey and the US cannot be
viewed in the same context since the beginning of negotiations with
the European Union for membership.

Strategic attitudes never changed!

Recalling that the Turkish Armed Forces’ modernization continues for
some time now, Sen believes that a recent speech by Gen. Özkök at the
Military Academy provides significant insight for Ankara’s attitudes.
Sen affirms that Turkey assumes a vital role in the `Greater Middle
East’ scheme and the claims that Turkey was giving the cold shoulder
to the US is nullified with Özkök’s latest speech.

`When we levy the main theme of the speech, we can say that Turkey is
moving ahead towards globalization through regionalism. This firmly
fits the US strategy of the Greater Middle East project. The US,
through this strategy via the military reinvents its historical
relations with Turkey once more.

If Turkey is to become the `fairy tale land’…

For Turkey to become a strong country asserting its might in the
Middle East and Caucasus, `its military infrastructure must be
complete and made comprehensive’ says Sen, and adds, `If Turkey is
going to be the fairy tale land anticipated in the project, it will
require such mighty infantry’.

Sen points out that CMFPEMENA project is not totally `peaceful’, but
foresees a certain dose of conflict. He views this dose as mostly
`armed deterrence’, but not war. According to Sen’s point of view,
Turkey is the most suitable candidate for warding off possible
threats in the framework of its new defense plan, which the US
formulates as a remedy for combating terrorism and security issues.

Underlining Turkey’s role in the process of integrating Syria and
Iran to the world market, Sen says that `If this course of action
cannot succeed as planned, the use of force might come into the
agenda. Hence, the modernization of the Turkish Armed Forces might
have critical importance in intervening to a possible chaos arising
in the Caucasus and the Caspian region’.

There are no problems between the US and Turkey

The leader of the Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) Filiz Koçali states
that the `The course of events shows that, just as the Chief of Staff
Özkök says, we do not have any problems in our relations with the
United States.

`First the government decree on Incirlik is issued, and now the F-16
issue is on the agenda. This is mutual trade-off. In return for
opting out of saying the word `Armenian genocide’, Bush gets Incirlik
base and 1,1 billion dollars’.

In Koçali’s perspective, Turkey does not stick to peaceful policies
in neither its domestic nor foreign policy.

`There are secret agreements between Turkey and the US. For example,
the Incirlik decree will not be published in the Official Gazette.
Among the topics these secret handshakes concern, there is not only
Armenian question, but the Kurdish one as well. We demand such
clandestine agreements become public’.

Turkey cannot step back from the EU path

“The relations between Turkey and the US, which commenced in 1918,
could not continue along the same trail, as negotiations with the
European Union began in 1999.

If Turkey would retain its position a prime US ally, it would not
have gained the support of the European countries. The EU would not
tolerate another Britain within its boundaries’ analyzes the European
Union integration process expert Cengiz Aktar.

Articulating that Turkey must have another look at its foreign policy
priorities, Aktar appraises that the US is not a country that one can
ignore. However, Turkey must maintain fine balances between the two
foremost sources of global power he believes.

In Aktar’s opinion, the new circumstances arising out of Incirlik and
the modernization of F-16’s, are of a `tactical’ not a `strategic’
nature. Turkey does not have strong arguments for shifting towards
any other target than the European Union membership, he told bianet.

In reply to the question regarding Turkey’ presumed role in the
Greater Middle East project and prospective increase in its military
strength, Aktar says: `Could Turkey ever have uphold its political
and economical stability by such policies in its history? How can it
do so now? The Turkish Armed Forces and successive governments must
have realized this reality by now’.

Arms purchases from Israel

In the wake of the F-16 modernization agreement of USD 1,1 billion
dollar value with the US, Turkey is reported to conclude a USD 200
million dollar accord with Israel for purchasing unmanned war planes.
The agreement will reportedly be signed by Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdoðan in May when he pays an official visit to this country.
(AK/EÜ/EK/SAÖ/YE)

BIA News Center