12. Dezember 2001

1. "No deal on rapid reaction force", European foreign ministers have failed to win Greek backing in their attempt to secure the use of Nato bases in Turkey

2. "Turkey should comply with the rule of EHRC", although 7 years 8 months have passed since DEP deputies were arrested in 1994, Turkey does not implement the rule of the European Human Rights Court (EHRC) on the matter.

3. "Peace for all", Non-governmental organizations made various activities in Kurdistan and Turkey on the occasion of December 10 Human Rights Day.

4. "Kurds wary of Turkish troop movements", Iraqi Kurds who have carved out a semi independent enclave in northern Iraq view latest Turkish troop movements with alarm.

5. "The last tango of two clever politicians", the author comments on a possible solution for Cyprus

6. "When is last islamic renaissance?", Turkey claims to be a role model for countries with an islamic population

1. - BBC News - "No deal on rapid reaction force":

The EU wants its own military force European foreign ministers have failed to win Greek backing in their attempt to secure the use of Nato bases in Turkey. Europe wants to use the bases for its new rapid reaction force. Turkish objections were finally overcome after months of deadlock only for the compromise deal to be rejected by Greece. The deal is thought to offer Turkey, which is not a member of the European Union, a promise of consultation on a case-by-case basis before Nato facilities on its territory would be used.

Foreign ministers who met in Brussels on Monday had hoped to ease Greek concerns, but the meeting ended without agreement. The ongoing dispute has thrown into doubt whether this weekend's European summit in Belgium can formally declare the rapid reaction force operational, as had been hoped. Further behind-the-scenes talks are now expected ahead of the summit. "There is no fundamental disagreement on the contents, the Greeks just want some recognition, some reassurances... and they'll get that," one diplomat told Reuters news agency.

Greece has made clear it will not be pressured by time into signing up for the deal. "We're open to finding a solution for Laeken," said Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou. "If these concerns are met we can close it. If not, we'll have to wait for later. "It's not something we don't want, as long as our security interests and our national interests are also secured. If not, no matter how much pressure, we'll have we'll just have to wait."

The deal with Turkey was clinched after long discussions with the UK and the US. The new force would comprise around 60,000 troops, and military planners hope it will be ready to go into action by 2003. European officials believe it could be used in disputes where Nato is keeping its distance. It is also seen as a way of boosting Europe's role in international affairs.

2. - Kurdish Observer - "Turkey should comply with the rule of EHRC"

by A. Ertan Korkmatz

Yusuf Alatas, lawyer of former DEP deputies who have been in prison for a long time, made a statement, saying that Turkey should comply with the rule of EHRC. Although 7 years 8 months have passed after DEP deputies were arrested in 1994, Turkey does not implement the rule of the European Human Rights Court (EHRC) on the matter.

In spite of the rule of EHRC on July 17, 2001 that the proceedings should be re-held, former DEP (Democracy Party) deputies Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan and Selim Saddak are still in prison. Their lawyer Yusuf Alatas stated that Turkey should implement the rule sooner or later. Application to Sezer Alatas said that he had applied to President of the Republic Ahmet Necdet Sezer and had stated that the execution of the sentences should be put an end. The lawyer added that but the application had been transferred to Ankara State Security Court (DGM) without any consideration. Alatas added the following: "And DGM wrote a justification saying that 'EHRC rules are not directly binding therefore we dismiss the case'.

Yusuf Alatas then opposed to the decision, stating that he had not applied to DGM but directly to the state and the government. The DGM No. 2 accepted his opposition. EHRC is binding Alatas had to say the following: "The legal procedure continues, I still have not able to get a reply. There is no legal arrangements on the implementation of EHRC rules. They have begun to work on it."

The lawyer stated that if he could not succeed, he would apply to the European Council's Committee of Ministers which controls the EHRC rules. The lawyer added that Turkey should comply with the rule sooner or later, it was only a matter of time.

3. - Kurdish Observer - "Peace for all":

There were activities and press statements all over Turkey on occasion on Human Rights Day.

Speakers emphasized that wars were the main reason of rights violations, pointing out that in Turkey and Kurdistan most needed societal peace and democracy.

MHA / AMED / ISTANBUL / MERSIN

Non-governmental organizations made various activities in Kurdistan and Turkey on the occasion of December 10 Human Rights Day. Demands for societal peace and democracy stamped on the activities. Human Rights Association (IHD) made a press statement in front of Human Rights Monument. Blockading the park from the early hours, police did not allowed any entry and exit. In spite of obstructions IHD and HADEP administrators gathered in the park and handed out carnations to the policemen and called "Do not resort to guns and violent means."

Reading the statement, Provincial Chairman Osman Baydemir said the following: "Human rights can be enjoyed only in a world without wars and clashes. In regions where words are said and have a value there is no place for violence." Common sufferings Baydemir warned that demands such as freedom to publishing and mother tongue cannot even be discussed, adding that pluralism can only be exercised on the grounds of preserving the differences.

Asking for State of Emergency Rule to be lifted, Baydemir emphasized on the sufferings due to long-lasted-war, adding the following: Sufferings of the Turkish mother who has lost her 19-years-old son in Cudi mountain and the Kurdish mother who has lost her son at the same place should our own suffering. We call out to all citizens. Refuse all wars and clashes. Do not resort to guns and violent means. Nothing can justify the killing."

Then Baydemir, HADEP Provincial Chairman Ali Urkut and other administrators handed out carnations to the policemen.

Torture policy

Fevzi Akbulut, Chairman of IHD Bingol Branch released a statement, drawing attention to the human rights violations in the Kurdish provinces. Reminding that wars cause material and psychological damage, Akbulut said the following: "We know the damage caused by wars very well. Nobody has the right to lead our people to new conflicts and more sufferings although there are conditions for healing the wounds and securing the peace." Gathering in Sultanahmet Park, Istanbul human rights activists and IHD Istanbul Branch administrators made a press conference.

IHD Chairwoman Eren Keskin said that in Turkey torture continued as a policy of the system. Reading the statement, Eren Keskin said that summary executions also continued. Pointing out that students were detained and dismissed from universities, Keskin emphasized that repression on their association had also increased. Human rights defenders carried signs symbolizing rights violations and some of the women were in their traditional Kurdish attire. Democracy demand Lawyer Ismail Kartal, IHD's Mediterranean Region representative, stated that the humanity can only be free from all sorts of exploitation and repression in democratic systems. And in Izmir representatives of non-governmental organizations, gathering in front of IHD Branch, marched to Konak Square with signs, asking for the rights violations to put an end.

Festival in Mardin

HADEP Mardin Provincial Organisation organized a festival with the participation of 500 guests. Speakers emphasized on the importance of mother tongue, then folk dances group performed and poems are read. The festival ended with halay dances. Again bans and violation In Siirt IHD Branch's leaflets and posters were banned by the Governor. The Branch released a written statement on the occasion. And HADEP Batman Provincial Organisation organised a panel called "Three Generations of Human Rights".

Sakir Kakalicoglu, columnist of our newspaper, attended to the panel along with 200 people. Solution lies in pluralistic democracy HADEP released a written statement on the occasion of the day, saying that solution of problems lied in the pluralistic, freedom-seeking and equalitarian democracy.

The statement emphasized the following: "Justice, freedom and peace should be a concrete way of life, not a yearning", adding that the principle "every person has all rights and freedoms without any discrimination based on race, color, sex, language, belief, political opinion, national or societal origin" has not found its expression in life.

HADEP stressed on the importance of mother tongue on the development of people. Ahmet Selamet, Mazlum-Der Istanbul Branch Chairman, drew attention that torture and mistreatment continued systematically and rights violations, torture and summary executions have increased.

4. - Kurdistan Observer - "Kurds wary of Turkish troop movements":

DUHOK - IRAQ

Iraqi Kurds who have carved out a semi independent enclave in northern Iraq view latest Turkish troop movements with alarm. They fear that Ankara will use its military weight and close relations with the United States to give itself a role in the drawing up of a map for future Iraq.

Kurdish and Turkish sources confirm that Turkish armed forces are massing close to the border and their numbers and hardware have aroused concern in Iraqi Kurdish ranks. So far Ankara has used its troops in forays inside Iraqi territories to hunt down guerrillas of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers Party or PKK who use the mountainous terrain as a refuge.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Turkish armed forces have started fresh redeployments, moving tanks, armored personnel carriers, pieces of artillery and other equipment close to Iraqi borders. PKK fighters have so far avoided clashing with the Turks.

Their leaders prefer a wait-and-see attitude in the hope a new war in the region will lead to changes in their favor. At least ostensibly, Ankara is voicing opposition to military attacks against Iraq. But it is not clear whether it can resist pressure from its major ally the United States to come on board in a military coalition against Iraq. Washington has not rule out attacking Iraq once its campaign against international terrorism ends in Afghanistan.

Pressure from hardliners in Washington is mounting on the administration of U.S. President George Bush to topple the regime of President Saddam Hussein.

5. - Cumhuriyet - "The Last Tango of Two Clever Politicians":

ANKARA / by Ozgen Acar

Northern Cypriot President Denktas who is getting the credit for the success of his new Cyprus policy, is coming to Turkey tomorrow to hold meetings with the Turkish government. Most probably the open-ended bilateral talks which will take place on Jan. 16 under the auspices of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be taken up.

There is a surprising optimism among many writers and in the Turkish business community, while Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is speaking of a cautious optimism.

There is also a division between the Greek and Greek Cypriot press. There is a wide range of opinions, which go from lauding Clerides to accusing him of going senile. Denktas and Clerides, two clever politicians, will begin their last dance in a different atmosphere in which Denktas seems to be strong and Clerides seems to be under pressure.

If Greek Cypriots don't want to miss another opportunity on Cyprus, and if the EU wants a solution to the problem, the two leaders will adopt the 'two equal states' principle based on a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation which was accepted by Archbishop Makarios and Denktas himself in 1977. Certainly, the mere adoption of this principle is not enough. Economic balances should also be taken into consideration for a secure future on the island.

Northern Cyprus, whose gross national product has stalled at $4thousand per capita due to the economic embargo implemented against it, should not be a slave to Southern Cyprus. Economic aid must be given to the northern part of the Island in order to prevent rich Greek Cypriots from buying property in the hands of Turkish Cypriots, and a transition period of at least 15-20 years must be recognized.

Even EU candidate state Poland is asking for a 17-year transition period in order not to be upset by imbalances in income distribution. One of the most important problems is the presence of Turkish, Greek and British troops on the island.

The US, while asking for the departure of Turkish and Greek troops from the island within a five-year period, has as yet said nothing regarding the British bases that it uses.

6. - Milliyet - "When is last islamic renaissance?":

ANKARA / by Derya Sazak

Reportedly, many circles in the US are busy discussing a new front to follow the war in Afghanistan, a front still largely unexplored.

This will not be a battlefront against an organization or a power. This will be a "cold war" front which will direct Muslim societies to success and to accelerate their transition in overcoming poverty and their lack of democracy, ending 80 years of humiliation following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

Journalist Yasemin Congar has written about an "Islamic Renaissance" discussed by intellectuals living in the West following Sept. 11 attacks. She said that the West won the Cold War because those living under socialist rules did not believe capitalism responsible for their predicament, but rather their own systems.

Can Arab- Middle Eastern regimes, oil-rich monarchies and emirates conduct the same self-criticism without hiding behind Islam? Certainly it is possible to blame US administrations over the years for their biased stances in favor of Israel concerning the Palestinian issue.

However, won't the real hurdle threshold be overcome when the Islamic world is able to form a harmonious unity on a global scale? On this issue, the views of Edward Said, a famous scholar from Cornell University, are courageous. He stated that even though the Islamic nations had many justified complaints against Zionism and imperialism, they must begin admitting that they themselves are also responsible for the poverty, ignorance, oppression, and viciousness they allowed to grow and choke their societies.

He asked, 'How many of us have honestly supported secular policies and criticized the manipulation of religion in the Islamic world? Secular Arab policy must assert itself. It is time to be frank, review our policies and analyze them over and over again.' If only the academic circles in Turkey, the think-tanks such as TESEV and the Istanbul Policies Center, as well as intellectuals and Islamic thinkers would contribute to the Islamic Renaissance seen in the wake of Sept. 11 attacks.

It is now our responsibility, for we are a country which claims to be a role model.