21 April 2005

1. "Turkish army criticizes US over Kurdish rebels, warns over Kirkuk", the head of the Turkish army hit out at the United States Wednesday for failing to curb Turkish Kurdish rebels hiding in northern Iraq and warned that Iraqi Kurdish attempts to take control of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk could throw the entire region into turmoil.

2. "Turkey: Condemn Threats on Human Rights Defenders", Human Rights Watch is alarmed at recent death-threats directed at three staff members from the Istanbul branch of the Turkish Human Rights Association (HRA).

3. "EU Greets Ratzinger's Election, Turkey Concerned", Europe has cautiously welcomed the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new pope, but there are also concerns over his view of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

4. "EU Ambassadors to Evaluate Erdogan's Statements", Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement of "Contentions from the European Union (EU) appear in front of us making the effort to fragment us " shocked the EU diplomats.

5. "Turkish Army Warns Ties with Greece May Suffer", the Turkish military said April 20 it was still awaiting an apology from Greece over the vandalizing of a Turkish flag in Athens, warning that it would otherwise reconsider a confidence-building program between the armies of the two troubled neighbors.

6. "Turkish Publisher Honoured For Courage", Keskin is the co-founder of Avesta, the first company in Turkey to publish books in Kurdish, a language that was banned until recently. Since its launch in 1996, Avesta has published more than 200 books in Kurdish, Turkish and French.

7. "New pressures on Turkey", negotiations on Turley’s accession to the EU is about to start and leaders of the 25 EU members are expected to give their approbation to begin talks with Ankara as early as October 2005. Turkey needs to prepare itself for tough discussions as various delicate questions such as the “so-called Armenian” issue will undoubtedly be raised. Indeed, various EU member states, mainly France, affirmed the Armenian issue will certainly be part of the essential questions asked during the negotiations process but will not be a pre-condition for accession into the EU.

8. "Election Race in Iran", there are concerns about ethnic division in Iran, where the dosage of nationalism is very high. A march by Arabs during demonstrations in the town of Ahvaz resulted in the death of one person. Kurds and Arabs are worried.

1. - AFP - "Turkish army criticizes US over Kurdish rebels, warns over Kirkuk":

ISTANBUL / 20 April 2005

The head of the Turkish army hit out at the United States Wednesday for failing to curb Turkish Kurdish rebels hiding in northern Iraq and warned that Iraqi Kurdish attempts to take control of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk could throw the entire region into turmoil.

General Hilmi Ozkok, the chief of general staff, complained in a yearly evaluation speech here that Turkey’s outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party was gaining influence in northern Iraq and stepping up attacks across the border on Turkey because of US failure to take action against the rebels.

"The terror group has been included in the list of terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union, but that does not carry a meaning in practice," Ozkok said.

"It is thought provoking that no action has been taken yet against the organisation. The PKK must at any rate be deprived of foreign support and have its hope of success crushed," he said.

Turkey says about about 5,000 PKK militants have found refuge in the mountains of neighboring northern Iraq since 1999, when the group declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ankara in its armed campaign for self-rule in the country’s mainly Kurdish southeast.

The group called off the truce last year, raising tensions in the region.

Ozkok also expressed concern over attempts by Iraqi Kurds to seize the ethnically volatile city of Kirkuk, which, he said, with its large oil resources, should belong to all Iraqis and not just one ethnic group.

"That is why it is important for Kirkuk to have a special status," Ozkok said. "We have said several times that Kirkuk is a problem area ready to explode ... and that it would affect the entire region if it explodes."

Turkey suspects Iraqi Kurds of planning to capitalise on their post-war gains to make Kirkuk the capital of an independent Kurdish state.

Such a state, Ankara fears, would fuel separatism among the restive Kurds of adjoining southeastern Turkey, sparking regional turmoil.

2. - Human Rigths Watch - "Turkey: Condemn Threats on Human Rights Defenders":

20 April 2005

Human Rights Watch is alarmed at recent death-threats directed at three staff members from the Istanbul branch of the Turkish Human Rights Association (HRA). Letters headed “Our final warning to the traitor separatists” were delivered yesterday to the home addresses of the branch president Eren Keskin, the Marmara region representative Dogan Genc, and the branch secretary Saban Dayanan. The threats were made in the name of the Turkish Revenge Brigade (TIT), a shadowy grouping with links to the extreme right.

The letter accuses the three of insulting the Turkish flag, encouraging armed separatism, and acting as “agents of Europe and the USA.” The groundless allegations and the threats appear to be related to the wave of nationalist violence in Turkey over the past two months. The violence has been linked to supposed insults to the national flag by dissident citizens.

The threats deserve an urgent and convincing official response. Extrajudicial killings and “disappearances” have claimed the lives of thirteen members of the Human Rights Association over the past 14 years. It is not clear to what extent the Turkish Revenge Brigade is a continuous and distinct organization, but certainly several fatal and near-fatal attacks have been carried out in its name. These include the murders of parliamentary deputy Mehmet Sincar and the journalist Ferhat Tepe in 1993, and the attack on Akin Birdal, president of the Human Rights Association in 1998. These same members of the Istanbul branch of the HRA who have just received threatening letters had narrowly escaped an armed attack by a lone gunman in 2001.

Human Rights Watch calls on you to ensure that these threats are investigated urgently by the Istanbul prosecution service. The three human rights defenders have told Human Rights Watch that they commonly receive threats by telephone but are particularly alarmed that these written threats arrived by post at their respective home addresses. It is unclear how the TIT obtained their home addresses, which are never disclosed to the public. Since officials from the Human Rights Association are often required to submit their personal details to the police authorities, inquiries should be made to establish whether or not the Istanbul police passed the addresses on to others. In light of the conviction of a former gendarmerie officer with links to TIT for the 1998 assault on HRA president Akin Birdal, prosecutors should also investigate whether police officers were directly involved in making the threats.

We also urge you to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect the three HRA officials in accordance with Article 12.2 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders which calls on states to “take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.” Any protective measures should be chosen in consultation with the HRA.

Most importantly, in view of the serious nature of the threats, the past murders carried out in the name of this illegal armed organization, and the current context of nationalist violence, we urge that a high-level and public statement be made, affirming the legitimacy and value of the work of human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Association, and condemning the death-threats made against its staff.

3. - IPS - "EU Greets Ratzinger's Election, Turkey Concerned":

BRUSSELS / 20 April 2005 / by Stefania Bianchi

Europe has cautiously welcomed the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new pope, but there are also concerns over his view of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

Joy and jubilation were mixed with reactions of surprise and disappointment when the 78-year-old Cardinal Ratzinger, the dean of the College of Cardinals and defender of conservative orthodoxy for 24 years, was named Apr. 19 as Pope Jean Paul II's successor.

The new pope, who will be known as Benedict XVI, is reckoned as a tough- minded enforcer of the 'true faith' and is firmly opposed to birth control and the ordination of women.

By choosing German-born Cardinal Ratzinger, the Vatican's 115 cardinals opted for a strong Catholic conservative insider, but also a potentially controversial figure and an opponent of Turkey's European Union (EU) membership bid.

Previously, Cardinal Ratzinger had stated that Turkey's membership of the 25-nation bloc would cause a ''loss of wealth and culture'': He advises Muslim Turkey to seek alliance with other Islamic nations rather than the traditionally Christian EU.

European leaders and officials were swift to welcome Ratzinger's appointment saying his election had a ''special significance'' for Europe.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said the nomination was ''a great honour'' for his country, while European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso ''rejoiced" at his choice.

''Personally, I rejoice at the conclave's choice and remain convinced that your Holiness will pursue with determination and strength the work of (your) illustrious predecessor John Paul II in favour of understanding and peace in the world,'' Barroso said shortly after Ratzinger's election.

Wilfried Martens, president of the Christian Democrat European People's Party in the European Parliament, said his group believed Ratzinger's nomination would strengthen European unity.

''Your choice of the name Benedict is of very special significance for those of us who are working for reconciliation and cooperation among the peoples of Europe,'' Martens said in a statement Wednesday.

''We see in your pontificate the potential to strengthen the European Union as a zone for peace and solidarity radiating a light of hope for the whole world'', he added.

However, reaction in Turkey has been far from warm as the country fears that the new pope's opposition to Ankara joining the EU could raise fresh obstacles to its membership.

Outspoken Ratzinger has argued in the past that allowing Turkey to join the EU would be ''a huge mistake'' that would run ''counter to history''.

''Turkey has always represented a different continent, in permanent contrast to Europe,'' Ratzinger said during an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro last year.

Instead, he believes Turkey should seek its future in an association of Islamic nations rather than the EU, which has Christian roots.

He also called demands for European ''multiculturalism'' as ''fleeing from what is one's own''.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that he hopes the new pope will soften his stiff opposition to Turkey's bid to join the bloc. The Turkish media declared him a foe of this predominantly Muslim nation.

''He has voiced such views (against Turkey's EU membership) as his personal opinion in the past, but his rhetoric may change from now on,'' Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.

''Responsibilities make for different situations. I hope to see such a change in the future because this post, this responsibility requires it,'' he added.

The Turkish press also gave a cold welcome to the new head of the Catholic Church.

''The new pope is an opponent of Turkey," the mass-selling daily Sabah said on its front-page, while the liberal daily Radikal said in a headline: ''He was Turkey's last choice.''

''It would be bad news if Cardinal Ratzinger continues to hold his views as Pope Benedict XVI,'' said commentator Selcuk Gultasli in the pro- government Zaman daily.

However Daniel Gros, director of the Brussels-based Centre for European Policy Studies think-tank, said that as a Pope, Ratzinger's views should not hamper Turkey's bid to join the bloc.

''Ratzinger's opposition to Turkey's membership of the EU should not have an effect on the country's bid to join the bloc. As a German cardinal he might have commented on such political issues. But as Pope he should be even more distant from politics,'' he told IPS Wednesday.

Talks on Turkey's membership of the EU are scheduled to start on Oct. 3. Turkey hopes to join the EU in 10 to 15 years.

Turkey, with a population of some 70 million Muslims, first applied for EU membership in 1963. Although it is widely acknowledged that it has made huge progress in political reforms in recent years, concerns remain about its commitment to implement laws banning torture and ensuring freedom of religion, and about consequences for the EU labour market.

4. - Central Daylight Time - "EU Ambassadors to Evaluate Erdogan's Statements":

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement of "Contentions from the European Union (EU) appear in front of us making the effort to fragment us " shocked the EU diplomats.

20 April 2005

EU diplomats in Ankara maintained "unofficial contacts" with the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and tried to understand the meaning behind the Prime Minister's statement. A monthly meeting that will be held by EU ambassadors in Ankara tomorrow will be grounds to discuss these statements. Some attribute Erdogan's rise to "Turkey's so-called failure to show an earlier performance in its EU bid" following the December 17 summit while some interpretations suggest that his announcements would strengthen the recent "nationalist" discourse. A diplomat from the EU said: "When we discussed the issue with AKP deputies, they commented that this might be addressed on the inside, in the domestic public opinion; however, they even do not hold any concrete thoughts." The same diplomat summarized important issues on the agenda between Turkey and the EU and assessed: "Cyprus, the Armenian issue, Alevis, Ocalan (leader of the the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) issues. There are no new demands on Turkey with regard to these issues as far as I know. Why, then, did Mr. Erdogan make these statements?" Commenting that the government might be "stuck in the middle" with regard to the Cyprus and Armenian issues, the European diplomat asked: "Might the government be searching for a new way out? We ask the members of AKP. To whom does the Prime Minister Erdogan intend this message?" Another diplomat from the EU clearly expressed his "confusion" and asked: "Can this be a new strategy of the Turkish government?" Trying to understand what Erdogan was aiming to achieve through his statements, the diplomat also added: "If only we could meet with him more often. We would be able to understand each other better."

Diplomats pointed out that Prime Minister Erdogan's evaluations regarding the EU included perspectives suggesting that there is only a single view within the Union. They shared the idea that the "EU is a unity of different ideas and views. These should be evaluated based on this characteristic." European diplomats claim that the Union has never come to Turkey with a proposal that might cause the disintegration of another country and they do not have such an approach. A Turkish diplomat, on the other hand, complained: "We cannot clearly answer our European counterparts' questions regarding what Mr. Erdogan's statements might mean."

5. - AFP - "Turkish Army Warns Ties with Greece May Suffer":

ISTANBUL / 20 April 2005

The Turkish military said April 20 it was still awaiting an apology from Greece over the vandalizing of a Turkish flag in Athens, warning that it would otherwise reconsider a confidence-building program between the armies of the two troubled neighbors.

“We are still waiting for Greece to officially apologize and find those responsible for the incident,” the Turkish chief of general staff, General Hilmi Ozkok said in a speech at the military academy here.

A group of Turkish officers visiting an Athens military academy last week as part of confidence-building measures between the two countries found a vandalized Turkish flag, inscribed with hostile slogans, in their room.

The incident coincided with a visit to Ankara by Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, during which the two sides announced further steps to bring their armies closer.

Greece’s failure to offer an official apology, “may lead to the reconsideration of such (confidence-building) activities,” Ozkok said.

Athens has condemned the incident as “regrettable” and promised to find and punish the perpetrators.

Although they are currently enjoying unusual warmth in their ties, NATO allies Turkey and Greece remain at loggerheads over territorial rights in the Aegean Sea and frequently trade accusations of violations and harassment.

Ozkok also denounced what he described as rising Greek military expenditures.

He added, however, that the Turkish army continued to favor defusing tensions in the Aegean and improving rapprochement between the two neighbors.

On the Cyprus conflict, another contentious issue, Ozkok accused the European Union of failing to keep its promises to ease the international isolation of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

He also lashed at the internationally-recognized Greek Cypriot government in the south of the island, which joined the EU last May, for trying to use Turkey’s own membership bid to extract concessions in Cyprus.

“In their view, the success of this policy depends on the continuation of the Cyprus conflict,” he said.

The Greek Cypriots last year rejected a UN plan to end the island’s three-decade division, even though the Turkish Cypriots gave it strong support.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the north in response to a coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece.

6. - IFEX - "Turkish Publisher Honoured For Courage":

20 April 2005

Abdullah Keskin, a publisher who has been legally persecuted in Turkey for publishing books in Kurdish, has won the 2005 Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award. The annual prize honours book publishers outside the United States who show courage in the face of political persecution and restrictions on freedom of expression.

Keskin is the co-founder of Avesta, the first company in Turkey to publish books in Kurdish, a language that was banned until recently. Since its launch in 1996, Avesta has published more than 200 books in Kurdish, Turkish and French.

More than 10 of Avesta's books have been banned under Turkey's Anti-Terrorist Law, including a translation of former "Washington Post" reporter Jonathan Randal's book "After such Knowledge, What Forgiveness: My Encounters with Kurdistan". Keskin has also been charged with disseminating "separatist propaganda."

Although the Turkish government has relaxed restrictions on freedom of expression in its bid to enter the European Union, writings on Kurdish issues are still considered "dangerous" information.

Keskin will be honoured with the award at PEN American Center's annual Gala dinner in New York City on 20 April 2005.

The Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award is administered by the Association of American Publishers' International Freedom to Publish Committee.

7. - Newropeans Magazine - "New pressures on Turkey":

PRAGUE / 20 April 2005 / by Elodie Boussonnière

Negotiations on Turley’s accession to the EU is about to start and leaders of the 25 EU members are expected to give their approbation to begin talks with Ankara as early as October 2005. Turkey needs to prepare itself for tough discussions as various delicate questions such as the “so-called Armenian” issue will undoubtedly be raised. Indeed, various EU member states, mainly France, affirmed the Armenian issue will certainly be part of the essential questions asked during the negotiations process but will not be a pre-condition for accession into the EU.

As Armenia is preparing the upcoming 90th anniversary of the WWI tragedy on the 24th of April 2005, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier raises the question of the “so-called Armenian genocide”. He demands Turkey to recognize the massacre of more than 1,5 million Armenians during the final years of the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1917 as genocide. "Turkey has a duty to remember" he says and talking about the Armenian question "it is a question that we will raise in the course of negotiations, and we have around 10 years to raise it."

As many commentators alleged, France’s position on this question is also supported by the leaders of the large Armenian community living in France (approximately 400 000 people). In this respect, the attitude of France has been interpreted by many EU politicians and by Turkey as an excuse of France to delay Turkey’s negotiations and to confirm its reluctance in admitting Turkey into the EU. For the record, only 38% of Frenchmen and women would be in favor of a European enlargement towards Turkey.

France is not the only country which has officially recognized the death of millions of Armenians during the First World War as genocide (French Parliament voted in 2001 and officially qualified the “Armenian” tragedy as genocide). Indeed, 14 other nations have recognized the slaughtering of Ottoman Armenians as a “policy of extermination” of Turkey during the WWI, among them Russia, Lebanon, Uruguay, and Switzerland, Greece and Canada (and some US states).

Ankara will not bow…

From Ankara, the whole story does not sound quit the same as in Europe and elsewhere. On the 7th of April 2005, Foreign minister Abdullah Gul affirmed Turkey is very clear about its position on the problem and “has never and will never recognize any so-called genocide”. The minister also refuted accusations and declared "What needs to be done is research, investigate and discuss history, based on documents and without prejudice, the basis of such discussions should be scientific and not political". Mr. Gul also said the pressures on Turkey were high and should not be taken into account during the EU negotiations process. He also mentioned the very developed and organized campaigns set up in Armenia and in Europe to “discredit Turkey”.

According to the general opinion, Turkey has no attention whatsoever to bow to the pressures of the European Union and admit that the million Armenians deaths was the tragic result of Turkish’s policies during the war. Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the Turkish President said “It is wrong and unjust for our European friends to press Turkey on these issues…these claims upset and hurt the feelings of the Turkish nation". Ankara has also pointed out that many Muslims, mainly Turks and Kurds were killed during the same years.

As for Armenia, which borders Turkey to the North, political leaders say they will continue their claims to seek for international recognition of the Armenian slaughter. The Armenian issue is a long-lasting problem between Turkey and Armenia; therefore, Mr. Abdullah Gul invited Armenia to create a joint commission of historians and specialists of both countries which will determine whether the events can be qualified as genocide or not. So far, Armenia has not replied to the Turkish invitation.

8. - Zaman Online - "Election Race in Iran":

ISTANBUL / 19 April 2005 / by Nevval Sevindi

Having been elected president twice, [Muhammad] Khatami is now spending his last days in office. The excitement over the presidential election, scheduled for June 17, has already spread across Iran.

The new president is of paramount important for Turkey. The sensitive balances in the region may be determined by this election. Even though Khatami, who is drawing the wrath of the city dwellers because of his failure in carrying out the promised reforms, appears to have successfully overcome the pressures over nuclear armament, the same cannot be said about the economy. Inflation and unemployment continue to bleed like two exploded veins. One million youths join the labor market every year. Only half of this number are able to find jobs. That the mullahs have centralized the economy, and have everything under their control, has created a bulky bureaucracy. All societal resources are monopolized by the state and no competition is allowed in key sectors. Subventions to wheat and gas amount to billions of dollars, and productivity is very low. Of course, this picture may be quite familiar to you. The government budget is continuously being punctured and economic activities of circles close to the government cannot be stopped. This black hole has not only created an illegal situation but has also made the fight against corruption impossible. The Islamic Republic of Iran, 25 years later, has created a religious elite economy, with the slogan, "for a more just order." Many people are disappointed. They fear that an aggressive privatization policy would increase the discontentment among the people. The Guardian Council continuously blocks the privatization of banks and other key sectors, saying it contravenes the constitution. How familiar these events are!

It can be argued that Iran is stuck between nuclear production and the economy. The US is closely watching that weak link. Deputy Commerce Minister Muhammad Kazai, said: "Iran needs investments to the tune of $20 billion every year." The oil industry is Iran's backbone, and if a solution for unemployment is to be sought here, old infrastructures have to be renovated. Iran's Oil Ministry announced that it needs $70 billion to modernize of the oil infrastructure over the next 10 years. That means foreign capital. The religious elite and corruption are the nightmares of foreign capital. Because the laws can easily be violated.

State Planning Organization Chairman Hamid Reza Beraderan says: "The biggest obstacle facing the economy is the US embargo." As far as relations of both countries are concerned, lifting of the embargo seems very unlikely. However, surveys clearly show that the youths approve of and support relations with the United States. Former chief of police, Muhammad Baqer Qalibaf, who is seen as the most powerful candidate, promises to mend fences with the US. Qalibaf, who had also headed Iran's Revolutionary Guards, says he is as pragmatic as pragmatist Akbar Hasemi Rafsanjani. Even though he has not declared his candidacy yet, Rafsanjani is preparing to join the election race. Oalibaf is an Iraq war veteran pilot, and by saying, "I believe in something basic, I do not belong the traditional political wings," he is winning the hearts of the youths. Qalibaf who is a popular candidate with its colorful life and youth, had appointed women into the police force for the first time. Qalibaf, who is also against corrupt military officers, promises privatization and courageously discloses that the greatest hurdle is the state economy.

Khatami's adviser, Ali Akbar Velayeti, will also take part in the election. Ali Larijani has declared himself a candidate for the fundamentalists. Mohsen Rezai is also a candidate from this wing. On the reformist wing, former higher education minister, Mostafa Moin and former parliament speaker, Mehdi Karoubi, are candidates.

There are concerns about ethnic division in Iran, where the dosage of nationalism is very high. A march by Arabs during demonstrations in the town of Ahvaz resulted in the death of one person. Kurds and Arabs are worried. The move to change Arab village names into Persian in Iran, where three percent of the population are Arabs, made people pour onto the streets.

Meanwhile, 500 Iranian intellectuals have signed a declaration for a constitutional amendment. The disqualification of reformist candidates aroused indignation in the last election.

In the meantime, the US Senate has earmarked $3 million to support the advancement of democracy in Iran, for the first time. Iran is a like a garden, very messy, with couch grass and spring boughs blooming side by side. As thorns pierce everybody's hands, there is no gardener around to clean up the mess. This name [Iran] will remain an important one for Turkey over the next decade.