5 November 2001

1. "Greek FM urges peace with Turkey over Cyprus question", Greek Foreign Minister Georges Papandreou said Sunday that his government and Turkey must put aside differences over Cyprus and pursue the "path to peace," amid growing concern over Turkey's response to the divided island's possible adhesion to the EU.

2. "IMF screens Turkey's progress before release of three bln dollars", an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation began talks with Turkish officials here on Monday to evaluate progress in economic reforms before releasing 3.1 billion dollars (3.3 billion euros) under a May stand-by deal, a treasury official said.

3. "A call for solution from PKK", a conference on Turkey which organized by German Democratic Socialism Party (PDS) in Berlin concluded. Sending a message to the conference, PKK Council of Leaders emphasized that an international conference to be organized would contribute to the solution.

4. "Ocalan: Gangs Should be Paid Attention", PKK President Abdullah Ocalan stated that in Turkey negative and positive aspects are interconnected and in a harsh struggle, adding the following: "Ciller and gangs around her should not gain effectiveness and cause conflicts. In case that this to occur, there will be a civil war. It should be paid attention."

5. "Groundless Self-Satisfaction: Ankara feels itself on the upswing in its relations with Europe"

6. " ESSAY: The Turkey Card", by WILLIAM SAFIRE


1. - AFP - "Greek FM urges peace with Turkey over Cyprus question":

ATHENS

Greek Foreign Minister Georges Papandreou said Sunday that his government and Turkey must put aside differences over Cyprus and pursue the "path to peace," amid growing concern over Turkey's response to the divided island's possible adhesion to the EU.

"After multiple international crises, like the one going on right now, I believe more than ever that the governments and people of the two countries understand that they can only follow one path to peace, even if they have differing views on Cyprus," Papandreou told daily Eleftheros Typos. He acknowledged the "difficult positions" held by his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem, who on Friday said that Turkey could be forced to take crucial decisions on the issue of its links with the European Union in the event of Cyprus being accepted as a member.

"The only thing I can say about Mr Cem's remarks is that clear perspectives exist: Cyprus joins the EU, Turkey can contribute with the participation of Turkish Cypriots in nogotiations before adhesion or see the adhesion of Cyprus as such," he said. Papandreou's remarks were published the same day as an interview with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who told the daily Milliyet that Turkey could annex the northern part of Cyprus it occupied in 1974 if the Greek Cypriot government in Nicosia took the divided island into the EU.

It was the first time that Ecevit had clearly stated that Turkey contemplates annexing the north if Cyprus becomes a member of the EU, as planned in 2004. "Without saying that this path (to peace) is easy, it opens up the possibility of better relations with Turkey and the resolution of the Cyprus question," Papandreou said. The president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, said on a visit to the Greek side of Nicosia last month that Cyprus would be one of the first countries to join the EU, even without a resolution of the division of the island.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in response to a coup d'etat by ultra-nationalist Greek Cypriots, sponsored by the then military regime in Athens in a bid to link the island to Greece. The UN envoy for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, had separate talks Friday with leaders of the two Cypriot communities during a regional tour aimed at restarting discussions on the future of the island, which have been stalled since January. He is due to meet Turkish officials in Ankara on Monday, and will be in Athens on Tuesday. Cem is to visit Athens November 7-8 in an attempt to revive the talks.


2. - AFP - "IMF screens Turkey's progress before release of three bln dollars":

ANKARA

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation began talks with Turkish officials here on Monday to evaluate progress in economic reforms before releasing 3.1 billion dollars (3.3 billion euros) under a May stand-by deal, a treasury official said.

Reviews by the IMF team, led by the Fund's Turkey desk chief Juha Kahkonen, are held on a regular basis and are expected to last about two weeks. The agenda of the meetings included a wide range of issue, including Turkey's economic performance this year and targets for 2002. The release of the instalment has been delayed since early October amid efforts to outline tighter financial policies for 2002. The two sides were also expected to take up Turkey's efforts to secure additional financial aid from international donors to battle the economic fallout of international tensions following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the official told AFP.

Turkey and the Fund agreed in May on a new programme of strict reforms following a severe financial turmoil in February that destroyed an earlier IMF-backed recovery scheme. If the program remains on track, Turkey will have received a total of 15.7 billion dollars in aid from the IMF and the World Bank by the end of the year. Without specifying an amount, Ankara has recently appealed for additional foreign funds to support the program in the face of global economic woes. Economy Minister Kemal Dervis said last week that an agreement with international donors on extra assistance was expected soon.

He also appealed to the Group of Seven industrialised countries to back "efforts to meet mid-term foreign financing needs, which will be discussed and finalized with international financial institutions in the coming days." Many observers here believe that Turkey's importance in the US-led struggle against terrorism as the only mainly Muslim country in NATO will open the taps of international money channels.

Last Thursday Turkey announced that it would send some 90 elite troops to Afghanistan at a request by Washington, becoming the first Muslim country to commit military support for the anti-Taliban campaign.


3. - Kurdish Observer - "A call for solution from PKK":

A conference on Turkey which organized by German Democratic Socialism Party (PDS) in Berlin concluded. Sending a message to the conference, PKK Council of Leaders emphasized that an international conference to be organized would contribute to the solution.

HUSEYIN KAYA / BERLIN

A conference on Turkey which organized by German Democratic Socialism Party (PDS) in Berlin concluded the other day. A message of 7 pages sent by PKK Council of Leaders was read in the conference. The statement renewed its call for an international conference, stressing that PKK is ready for any step for a democratic solution.

The Council of Leaders called on the European countries including Germany to play role in the solution of the Kurdish problem.

Pointing out that an international conference to be organized will pave the way for the solution of the Kurdish problem, the statement of October 30, 2001 called on the German state to lift the ban on PKK and to take the first step which will contribute to the solution.

"The Kurdish problem concerns all the humanity"

The Council stressed that the solution will be an exception in the world, adding the following: "As it concerns not only the Turkish and Kurdish peoples but all the humanity as well as progressive forces, we consider the conference meaningful and valuable."

Calling attention to the fact that PKK President searching for solutions in Europe have been reacted by the international conspiracy and in it the European countries have played an important role, the statement said the following: "The fact that the European governments have not displayed any encouraging stance, let alone replying the peaceful and democratic discourse of our party, its even discouraging stance cannot be explained."

"An international conference will contribute to the solution"

The Kurdish leaders stressed that PMM will support all attempts for the solution of the Kurdish problem, and proposed an international conference to be organized. Reminding that in case that PDS uses its all political power it will succeed, the statement made the following proposals: "We will contribute to such a conference with our all might. Especially the decision-making political mechanisms should be set into action."

"Bans obstruct the solution"

The Council reminded that Kurds living in Germany has been reacted to the repression on Kurdistan but were replied by bans, and added that at a point in time at which PKK puts an end to the war and supports a democratic solution, continuing such a meaningless ban lays the groundwork for the denial policies in Turkey.

"The key of the solution is PKK"

The Council of Leaders noted that PKK has given the key for solving the problems in the Middle East, adding the following: "As a necessity arisen from this responsibility our stance has the capacity to help solving the problems and to establish relations with all powers in the world."

Turkey should take steps

In the conference there were two sessions called "The Kurdish Problem and Strengthen of the Civil Society".

Giving the opening talk of the session on the Kurdish problem, PDS Deputy Uwe Hiksch stated that criteria for Turkey for accession to European Union were stated clearly and Turkey should decide it. Faik Yagizay, HADEP European Representative, said on his part that Kurds should be given their rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

And Kazim Baba, member of Kurdish National Congress (KNK), said, "We know Germany has been playing an important role in the accession of Turkey to EU. Therefore we expect from Germany to contribute to the solution of the Kurdish problem." Prof Norman Peach emphasized that Kurdish is a people, adding the following: "Peoples have various rights and these should be granted to Kurds as well. For example autonomy or right to self-government should be granted."

"Human rights should be improved"

The other session on civil society, moderated by Harald Neuber from the newspaper Junge Welt, was participated by Feleknas Uca, PDS Deputy of European Parliament; Gunduz Aktan, ex-UN Ambassador; and Prof Udo Steinbach.

Uca stated that there was no single word "Kurd" in the National Program Turkey has prepared for EU and it should be corrected.

"States make terrorism too"

Gunduz Aktan, one of the persons who determine the Turkish foreign policy, said that he has for the first time been present at such a conference. Aktan said the following: "Human rights violations exist all around the world. The dose of it may be different but such a mentality cannot solve the problems. The priority of the nation-states is not democracy but existence. Nation-states do not give a single tiny part of themselves. The right to self-determination does not exist in any international documents but this concept is being used."

Then Udo Steinbach, Chairman of Oriental Institute, gave a talk. Steinbach said "The biggest problem of Turkey in these days is the economic crisis. Turkey is ready to take new steps."


4. - Ozgur Politika - "Ocalan: Gangs Should be Paid Attention":

PKK President Abdullah Ocalan stated that in Turkey negative and positive aspects are interconnected and in a harsh struggle, adding the following: "Ciller and gangs around her should not gain effectiveness and cause conflicts. In case that this to occur, there will be a civil war. It should be paid attention."

Abdullah Ocalan made a statement through his lawyers whom he has met in Imrali island, attracting attention to the efforts of the gangs which have been the chief actors of the special-dirty war including DYP leader Tansu Ciller. Ocalan continued to say the following: "The struggle will be clear within, say, two years. Ciller and the gangs around her should not gain effectiveness and cause conflicts. In case that this to occur, there will be a civil war. Incidents like Silopi is a sign of war." Pointing out that he did not charged all of the state, adding the following: "Ciller may gain power and take us to death. She is the mother of Hizbullah. She should be paid attention. If her line dominates, there will be a civil war in Turkey. Even Cindoruk was afraid of this woman. Even Demirel could not opposed her."

Gangers may meet

Ocalan said, "Nobody can know that they may meet with each other. The action by Semdin where 33 soldiers were killed is a mysterious one. Later it appeared that he has met with Yesil. There is a relation between those who let soldiers go without guns and the perpetrators. If you want to involve in politics, you should not be deceived."

Emphasizing that PKK will do whatever it should, Ocalan added, "The process will lead to a political ground."

The process of February 28

Calling attention to the fact that in Turkey the stance of the military on February 28 was important, PKK President noted: "It has its shortcomings and deficiencies but it is important. If it was of Western type secular democracy, it would be more positive. Today conflict of stances continues. The actual solution is political and legal solutions. Violence is necessary only for self-defence." Ocalan reminded that his defence statement to European Human Rights Court will create a revolution on mentality, and continued to say the following: "It has nothing to do with Imrali. I have wished to develop it since 96 but I had no time."

Analysis of religion

Ocalan said on religion the following: "You should pay attention to my analysis of religion. The military has been striving for it for a long time but it has not managed to solve it. Ataturk attempted to approach it scientifically but he did not succeed. Ataturk was not similar to Stalin or Hitler. He has some scientific capacity. As far as Kurds are concerned, as Ataturk has always been considered an enemy, his other aspects have been overlooked. He has said that communism should be crushed but not Kurds. Kurds have either rebelled altogether or submitted altogether."

A Kurdish enclave may come to the scene

PKK President Ocalan underscored that attacks on September 11 were originated from Semitism's cultural traditions and Arabian and Jewish cultures dependent on it. He stressed that Mossad and Arabians, supported by respectively USA and Afghanistan are misfortunes of the humanity, pointing out that his defence statements will enlighten it and similar problems.

Ocalan emphasized on Iraq that a Kurdish enclave may come to the scene, adding the following: "In Golden Crescent center of the democratic civilization may be formed. Notice, I do not say 'state' but 'center'. If any of Turkey, Iran or Iraq becomes democratic the center will become closer to it. Political formations in North Iraq should be approached like this. The Kurdish alliance is therefore very important. With it a solution may come."


5. - Wiener Zeitung - "Groundless Self-Satisfaction: Ankara feels itself on the upswing in its relations with Europe":

ISTANBUL / Susanne Güsten (translated by Kurdish Media)

Poverty in Turkey is more prevalent than ever before: Since the outbreak of the economic crisis in February, the Turkish lira has lost more than a half of its value vis-à-vis the dollar. Throughout Turkey, small and middle-sized businessmes are giving up and laying off their workers. There are hardly any prospects for an early start to membership negotiations with the EU [European Union]. Yet nothing of this crisis atmosphere is to be seen in Turkish foreign policy.

The altered geopolitical situation since the terrorist attacks in the U.S., in particular, has given Turkish government politicians such as Ecevit's deputy, Mesut Yilmaz, the feeling that their country is more important for the West than ever. As a result, Yilmaz was brimming with self-confidence on his visit to Germany several days ago. Turkey wants to be a full EU member by the year 2010, said the conservative politician: "Our patience has limits, too."

Regarding Ankara's reform efforts, which are perceived as no more than good first steps by the EU Commission and the EU Parliament, Yilmaz said that "We're going as fast as we can. The EU is already uneasy with our pace."

And in their relations with the Europeans, Turkish government politicians even set themselves up as headmasters in the field of terrorism. After Turkey had to struggle for years with Kurdish, leftist extremist, and Islamic groups, now the Europeans see what it's like to be the targets of terrorism, is the attitude in Ankara.

Turkish politicians even allow themselves the right to grade others in the field, as Yilmaz did in Berlin: "The Germans are now acting more realistically in countering terrorism, because terror is knocking on their door as well," he said in his meeting with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Bleak prospects

Ankara's self-satisfaction, however, could be shaken very soon. For it is not merely the state of the Turkish economy that dims the prospects for the prompt commencement of negotiations on EU membership being called for by Turkey. Thus, although the EU Parliament did indeed welcome the recently passed Constitutional amendments by means of which Turkey intends to move the democratization process forward, the Euro-parliamentarians continued to complain of the "horrific" practice of torture and called for more flexibility from Ankara in key areas of foreign policy. This refers above all to the Cyprus dispute, as well as Turkey's squabble with the Europeans over the future European defense policy. So far there is no sign that Ankara should expect Europe to be any more obliging merely on account of the fight against terrorism.

The Chief Editor of the English-language newspaper "Turkish News" sees the basic problem in the Turkish-European relationship to be one of insufficient honesty: While the EU do not admit that they do not want to have Turkey as a member, the Turkish government, despite all its assurances of loyalty to Europe, fears the fundamental changes in the country that EU membership would entail.


6. - The New York Times - "ESSAY: The Turkey Card":

By WILLIAM SAFIRE

Reached by cell phone in purgatory, where he is expiating his sin of imposing wage and price controls, Richard Nixon agreed to an interview with his former speechwriter.

Q: How do you think the war in Afghanistan is going?

Nixon: You call that a war? Light bombing of a bunch of crazies with beards, based on a policy of Afghanization before you even get started? That's strictly reactive and purely tactical.

Q: Would you send in a couple of divisions of American ground troops?

Nixon: No. The Bush people are employing the right tactics in their "phase I" - suppressing terrorist operations, helping the opposition make trouble, playing for breaks with payoffs and assassinations. What they fail to see is the global picture. They need to develop a grand strategy.

Q: Which is -

Nixon: Know your real enemy. It's not just bin Laden and his terrorist cells. It's the movement threatening to take over the Islamic world. Those beards and their even more dangerous state sponsors want the Saudi and Kuwaiti oil. That would give them the money to build or buy the nuclear and germ weapons to eliminate the reasonable Muslims and all the Christian and Jewish infidels.

Q: How would you stop them?

Nixon: Split 'em, the way we split the Communist monolith by playing the China card against the Soviets. Your generation's card is Turkey, the secular Muslim nation with the strongest army.

Q: The Turks have already volunteered a hundred commandos - you mean we should ask for more?

Nixon: Get out of that celebrity- terrorist Afghan mindset. With the world dazed and everything in flux, seize the moment. I'd make a deal with Ankara right now to move across Turkey's border and annex the northern third of Iraq. Most of it is in Kurdish hands already, in our no-flight zone - but the land to make part of Turkey is the oil field around Kirkuk that produces nearly half of Saddam Hussein's oil.

Q: Doesn't that mean war?

Nixon: Quick war, justified by Saddam's threat of germs and nukes and terrorist connections. We'd provide air cover and U.N. Security Council support in return for the Turks' setting up a friendly government in Baghdad. The freed Iraqis would start pumping their southern oil like mad and help us bust up OPEC for good.

Q: What's in it for the Turks?

Nixon: First, big money - northern Iraq could be good for nearly two million barrels a day, and the European Union would fall all over itself welcoming in the Turks. Next, Turkey would solve its internal Kurd problem by making its slice of Iraq an autonomous region called Kurdistan.

Q: But that would mean new borders, and don't Arab states worry about dismemberment?

Nixon: Turks are Muslims but not Arabs. When Syria was the base for terrorist operations against Turkey, the Turks massed troops on the border and Damascus caved, kicking the terrorist boss out of the country and he's now in a Turkish jail. And what's the big deal about new borders? Iraq was a 20th-century British concoction. Only 50 years ago, Israel became a state, and soon there'll be a Palestinian state. New times, new borders.

Q: Speaking of Israel -

Nixon: Let me say this about that. I'd tell Sharon to annex the Jordan valley, to protect Jordan, but then to hand over the rest of the West Bank or he's down the tubes. I know you disagree, Bill, but we're going for the grand strategic enchilada. Then I'd tell the Saudis and other rich Arabs to build good housing and plants in Palestine or accept a million Palestinian immigrants. With Iraq's threat neutralized and Iran coming around, the sheiks will ante up in a hurry.

Q: But what about punishing bin Laden in Afghanistan -

Nixon: Change the flow of money and power in the Middle East and bin Laden and his boys will fall into our hands like rotten fruit. Just use this crisis to reshuffle the deck and break out of the trap. Leapfrog "phase I" and there'll be no heavy allied casualties, no parades to stop the bombing, no Taliban, no germ scares. I have to go expiate now. Call me soon about Russia. How do you turn this damn new phone off?