20
September 2001
2. "Fogg: Turkey may surprise us", European Union Turkey Officer Karen Fogg claims Turkey is not ready for membership negotiations yet, however, she kept hopes alive by stating that Turkey had potential to fulfil its requirements for the membership in a short time.
3. "Turkey backs US, wants EU action against terrorism", Turkey, the only Muslim NATO country, reasserted on Wednesday its support for the US anti-terrorism campaign and said it would push the EU, which it hopes to join, to strengthen laws to fight against terrorism.
4. "Now, Turkey is wary of missle defense", Turkey appears to be having second thoughts regarding an effort to forge missile defense cooperation with Israel and the United States.
5. "Advantages of Turkey", columnist Okay Gonensin comments on Turkey's role in the shaping of the new world order. A summary of his column is as follows.
6. "President Denktas of TRNC says they do not intent to grant Greek Cypriot administration right to rule Turkish Cypriots"
1. - AFP - "Turkish prison hunger strike claims new victim, death toll reaches 35":
ISTANBUL
A long-running hunger-strike over controversial prison reforms in
Turkey claimed another victim on Thursday with the death of a 35th protestor,
a spokesman for a prisoners' support group, TAYAD, said.
Abdulbari Yusufoglu, a former inmate fasting in solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners, died early Thursday in a house in Kucukarmutlu neighbourhood in Istanbul's European side, the TAYAD spokesman told AFP. Yusufoglu, 21, was on the 236th day of his hunger strike, the spokesman added.
He was speaking from the house in Kucukarmutlu where more than a dozen outside supporters of the hunger strike are pursuing their fast-to-the-death. The strike, which began last October, is in protest against new jails, commonly known as "F-type" prisons, where cells holding a maximum of three people replaced large dormitories for up to 60 inmates. Prisoners and human rights activists say confinement in the smaller units will alienate inmates from fellow prisoners and leave them more vulnerable to mistreatment and torture by prison officials.
The death toll of the inmates' protest includes both prisoners
and relatives fasting in solidarity. On Wednesday, a far-left Turkish
prisoner, who was on hunger strike, died in an Istanbul hospital from
burns he sustained when he set himself on fire in an apparent protest
against a police crackdown on a funeral procession for a hunger-strike
victim. The government has categorically refused to retract its decision
on the new jails, arguing that packed dormitories are the main factor
behind frequent riots and hostage-taking incidents in its unruly jails.
It has also charged that the strike was orchestrated by far-left underground
organizations, mainly the People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).
Last Monday, a suicide bomber blew himself up in Taksim in Istanbul's European quarter, killing himself, two policemen and injuring about 20 people to protest the new jails. The DHKP-C claimed responsibility for the attack.
Prisoner on hunger strike burns himself to death in Turkey
A far-left Turkish prisoner, on a hunger strike against controversial jail reforms, died Wednesday in a hospital from burns he sustained in an act of self-immolation, a source close to the hunger strikers told AFP.
Ibrahim Erler set himself ablaze Saturday in a jail in the northwestern town of Tekirdag in an apparent protest against a police crackdown on a funeral procession for a hunger-strike victim, said the man, who identified himself only as Vedat.
Erler was jailed for links to the outlawed People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), which is the chief architect of the months-long hunger strike, he added. The source was speaking from a house in Istanbul, which DHKP-C associates have been using as a base for hunger-strikers fasting in solidarity with their fellow activists in prison. Turkey's leading rights group, the Human Rights Association, which backs the strikers, confirmed Erler's death in Istanbul.
The strike, which started last October as a protest at
jails with tighter security, has so far claimed 34 lives -- both prison
inmates and outside supporters. 
2. - Turkish Daily News - "Fogg: Turkey may surprise us":
European Union Turkey Officer Karen Fogg claims Turkey is not ready for membership negotiations yet, however, she kept hopes alive by stating that Turkey had potential to fulfil its requirements for the membership in a short time.
Speaking in the "EU-Turkey Relations" conference organized by the Political and Social Researches Foundation, Fogg said the European Union had challenged a lot of problems since its establishment. She stated that the candidate countries had a long way to go for membership, however, this was not the case before, when the currently member countries had made their applications when they were ready for membership.
Fogg noted that the income-per-capita of the candidate countries were way below EU average, moreover, they come from very different cultures.
She went on to point out that the market structure had become gradually complex particularly after the introduction of common currency in the 90s, therefore candidate countries had to challenge additional difficulties. However, Fogg added, the reversion and the ease of the process depend on the performances of the candidate countries.
Fogg continued: "Compared to the former process, Turkey does now have to challenge a more complex one. There are criteria to comply with, the first being the Copenhagen Criteria. All the candidate countries have to apply common EU rules and policies, and adapt the criteria to the domestic policies. The other criteria are the political ones, in other words, the enhancement of an effective democracy in all the candidate countries. The economic criteria briefly means the requirement of a healthy market and competitive economics."
Turkey's candidacy is not convincing
Fogg stated that budget, agriculture, regional policies and the conditions of negotiation were the most difficult issues to be determined by the candidate countries. Fogg said Turkey's application was not as convincing as the other candidates considering the criteria above.
Fogg related that Turkey is in the pre-membership phase since 1999, there is a common impression that the European Union doesn't help Turkey, however, the aid increased twice after the Helsinki Summit. Fogg stated that the European Union is to donate $170 million to Turkey, plus loans to the Small and Medium Enterprises for infrastructure.
She added: "One of the most important prerequisites of negotiations is the fulfilment of the political criteria. Turkey is not a candidate for negotiations yet. There are 30 topics for Turkey to assess on her legal status for the adaptation to the European Union. Despite the general impression being different, we observe the positive steps taken by Turkey for membership. However, these are not apparent for the moment."
November report likely to arise discussions
Fogg said legislation on tenders in the candidate countries are among the most important issues. Fogg stated that the state intervention to the electricity and telecommunication institutions must be ended, and the Constitution must be modified consequently.
Fogg stated that the annual EU report, expected to be issued in mid-November is likely to provoke discussions. She said the nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and private sector are ready for the relations with the European Union, and followed: "My personal view is that the economic performance of Turkey in the next couple of months is crucial. If the economic achievements cannot be performed, other aspects will also be challenging than ever."
Fogg noted these aspects as political and international aspects, Cyprus issue in particular and stressed the importance of Cyprus talks under EU surveillance to come to a conclusion; and said if no compromise would be achieved until summer, hard times await all the relevant parties.
Fogg concluded her speech by saying Turkey always has
a potential to surprise everyone, and claiming Turkey is facing a very
complex process, which will turn either to a great acceleration or to
a halt.
3. - AFP - "Turkey backs US, wants EU action against terrorism":
ANKARA
Turkey, the only Muslim NATO country, reasserted on Wednesday its
support for the US anti-terrorism campaign and said it would push the
EU, which it hopes to join, to strengthen laws to fight against terrorism.
"In the US struggle against terrorism, of course, we are in, we are beside the United States," Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said in an interview with the NTV news channel. But he declined to comment when asked whether Turkey would back eventual strikes against any of its neighbors, which include countries accused by Washington of supporting terrorism such as Iraq, Iran and Syria. "Nothing like this is on the agenda at the moment. Let's not talk about hypotheses," Cem said.
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, however, has earlier said that Turkey would take part in a joint NATO strike even if it targeted one of its neighbours. Cem said that so far Washington had not asked for any particular assistance from Turkey, whose southern base of Incirlik is already home to US and British aircraft enforcing a no-fly zone over northern Iraq. Cem stressed that Ankara would also launch a campaign within the European Union, to which Turkey is a candidate, for the outline of a legal definition of terrorism by the pan-European bloc to strengthen efforts to combat terrorism.
"We will prepare work on this issue and bring it to (the attention of) EU members and candidate countries. We will ask the EU to finally make a legal definition (of terrorism), to build a legal infrastructure on this subject," he said. Ankara has long accused EU countries of tolerating on their soil radical Turkish Islamist and leftist movements as well as Kurdish militants, who have waged an armed campaign for self-rule in mountainous southeast Turkey and carried out terrorist attacks in urban areas.
But Ankara's appeals have found little backing within
the EU due to the country's troubled human rights record. "Everybody
should take up seriously the issues related to terrorism. A common understanding
should be established," Cem said. The minister also denounced as
"unfortunate terminology" expressions such as "Islamist
terrorism," saying that terrorism should not be identified with
any religion.
4. - Middele East Newsline - "Now, Turkey is wary of missle defense":
ANKARA
Turkey appears to be having second thoughts regarding an effort
to forge missile defense cooperation with Israel and the United States.
Turkish officials said the government in Ankara does not want to be seen as the bulwark for U.S. strategic interests in the Middle East amid the increasing terrorist threat. The officials said the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York and parts of the Pentagon in Washington could turn Turkey into the next target of Islamic insurgents.
The new position appears to reverse five years of Turkish lobbying in Washington for Ankara to be included in a missile defense umbrella. Turkey had urged Washington to allow Israel to sell Ankara the Arrow-2 missile interceptor.
The issue of missile cooperation was discussed last week by leading Turkish officials. They included members of the National Security Council, the military's General Staff and the Foreign Ministry.
The Foreign Ministry officials were said to have been the most wary of any public effort to launch missile defense cooperation with either Jerusalem and Washington. They said Ankara would encounter a backlash by identifying its neighbors as missile threats.
Instead, the officials urged the government to wait until NATO establishes a missile defense umbrella for Europe. This umbrella would include Turkey and avoid a bilateral relationship with either Israel or the United States.
"Turkey must not participate in such a project without being totally aware of the real policies of her neighbors and the United States," a National Security Council member was quoted as saying in the forum, organized by Asam, the Eurasian Strategic Researches Center. "It is more rational to take part in such a project via NATO rather than the United States."
This position was shared by Turkish military commanders at the meeting. The Ankara-based Sabah daily quoted a General Staff member as saying that the missile threat to Turkey from such neighbors as Iran, Iraq and Syria is not significant.
"Turkey should be cautious about the missile defense project," the General Staff member said. "There is no such great threat in the region today. Our policy must be based on not irritating our neighbors."
Officials said Turkey would not abandon efforts to participate
in a missile defense umbrella. But they said they don't expect Ankara
to raise the issue publicly until at least next year.
5. - Sabah - "Advantages of Turkey":
Columnist Okay Gonensin comments on Turkey's role in the shaping of the new world order. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Turkey must be considered among the countries with an advantage on the eve of the shaping of the new world order. However, this depends on how well Turkey can play her role. As a Muslim country she is a part of the Islamic world and as a secular democracy, a part of the Western world. This special identity will have great significance for new formations. Turkey, who is acting together with the Western World, may be the guarantee of an imminent war from turning into a clash between 'Western and Islamic' civilizations.
It is hoped that Washington and the Western capitals take utmost care not to divert this war into a clash with Islam. In the new process, in line with the position Turkey will take, the EU policy towards Turkey may change. This may mean that Turkey's full EU membership process may be expedited.
Turkey has delayed completing her homework on the road to the European Union membership and in fact dragged her feet. In return, Europe has delayed keeping its promises for the realization of Turkey's membership. However, with the attack on the twin towers, it has become inevitable for the Europeans to review their point of view towards Turkey. Certainly, there may be opposition to Turkey's admittance to the EU as she is a predominantly Moslem country.
However, Turkey has to play her cards right and if she
accelerates the constitutional amendments and legal reforms it will
create a different atmosphere. The stance Turkey will adopt will display
her will to take place in the Western World and shorten the path to
the membership in the European Union. It is natural for the US to help
Turkey in line with her political plans on this isssue."
6. - Anadolu Agency - "President Denktas of TRNC says they do not intent to grant Greek Cypriot administration right to rule Turkish Cypriots":
GAZIANTEP
President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
said on Tuesday, ''we do not intent to grant Greek Cypriot administration
the right to rule Turkish Cypriots. We are ready to solve the problems
on the basis of equal states.''
Denktas visited Gaziantep Governor Erhan Tanju, Fifth Brigade Commander General Metin Ozdegirmenci and Gaziantep Mayor Celal Dogan. Speaking at the meetings, President Denktas said, ''Greek Cypriots have been trying to take away our freedom. We cannot give up our independence.'' Stressing that they were ready to solve the problems with the Greek Cypriot side on the basis of equal states, President Denktas said, ''we do not intent to grant Greek Cypriot side resorting to terrorism, the right to rule Turkish Cypriots. We are ready to solve the problems on the basis of equal states. However, we will never accept the Greek Cypriot side as our government.''
''Terrorism has been high on agenda of the world since the terrorist attacks in the United States. I hope that terrorist activities in Cyprus from 1963 to 1974 would be reviewed within this framework,'' he said. When asked of Greek Cypriot leader Glavkos Clerides' visit to the United States, President Denktas said, ''Clerides bewildered foreign diplomats by leaving for New York to attend a meeting in which Turkish Cypriots decided not to attend. Cyprus question can be solved only between two equal nations. His attitude was meaningless. For the time being, Greek Cypriots are concerned about that Turkey's importance has increased following the recent developments.''
When reminded that U.S. President Bush named the fight against terrorism as ''the Crusade'' and asked about his evaluations, Denktas said that Bush made a ''slip of the tongue.'' Denktas went on saying, ''it was an unfortunate word; it was said and then taken back. We should accept this. It is a battle among civilizations, it is this or that. All these are words in vain. You have also experienced terrorism. Terrorism does not have any aspects, which can be defended. Killing or annihilating innocent people for this or that case can no way be defended. They say that a upcoming fight may turn into a World War III. There is not such thing. The upcoming fight will be a fight against terrorism. Because, groups which are called terrorists can obtain many modern weapons for their own interests or for the interests of tycoons and illicit drug traffickers or some political reasons. They can declare terrifying wars against an unknown place at an unknown time. An international organization should be set up to fight against terrorism.''
''It would really mean 'the Crusade' to associate this with Islam and create enmity against Islamic world if Muslims staged the attacks. It will be very wrong because those who call themselves Muslims do not have any links with such inhuman behaviours,'' Denktas added. Responding to a question about his meeting with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Denktas said, ''I held one of my regular meetings with Cem and we debated what may be done to overcome the impasse in Cyprus proximity talks.'' Denktas noted that they have not received any new demands regarding Cyprusquestion on the other hand they have some new demands. ''We want a realistic diagnosis of Cyprus question. They have not made such a diagnosis so far.
What is Cyprus question? They are trying to settle it
down but they cannot achieve it. They did not make the right diagnosis
but they caused an impasse by calling the Greek Cypriot administration
as the 'legal government of Cyprus'. Let's find a diagnosis. What was
demolished? It was the partnership. What will be re-established? A new
partnership,'' Denktas said. Denktas added, ''among who? Among former
partners. Then, what does Turkish partner want? A stronger, more permanent
partnership, which cannot be demolished again by the Greek Cypriots.
We are talking about all these and inform the foreign world about these.''