21
December 2004
1. "Women's Movement in Turkey's EU Bid", although the EU is more advanced than Turkey in terms of equality between sexes, there still exists the dominance of men in EU's institutions and the political, economic, social and cultural lives of EU members. A difficult mission awaits Turkey's women's
2. "Turkey braces for reality of EU talks", now Ankara must face the reality of negotiations which in practice mean being told to do better in areas as mundane as sewerage treatment, or as sensitive as minority rights.
3. "Yasar Kemal writes on Turkish-EU relations", however, I do not understand why the EU perceives putting the Copenhagen criteria forward as if accepting them is a sacrifice for Turkey. Is it a sacrifice for Turkey to recognize the rights of its Kurdish people?
4. "Analysis: Turkey divided over Europe", recovering from some last-minute nail biting moments that revolved around Turkey's recognition of Cyprus, the news from Brussels was treated with elation in Turkey.
5. "France to include "Armenian genocide" in Turkey's EU bid talks: FM", France will include the issue of the"Armenian genocide" when negotiations over Turkey's admission to the European Union (EU) start next October, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier told F rench RTL radio on Monday.
6. "Turkey Should Force Greekcypriots for ...", for the representatives of political parties in northern Cyprus, the developments at the European Union summit in Brussels, have created a "new and important opportunity for peace in Cyprus."
Dear reader,
Due to the holiday time our
"Flash Bulletin" will not be forwarded to email addresses
from December 22, 2004 until January 2, 2005. It will also not be
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The next edition will be forwarded on Monday, January 3,2005.
We wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year.
1. - Bianet - "Women's Movement in Turkey's EU Bid":
Although the EU is more advanced than Turkey in terms of equality between sexes, there still exists the dominance of men in EU's institutions and the political, economic, social and cultural lives of EU members. A difficult mission awaits Turkey's women's
ISTANBUL / 20 December 2004 / by Gonul Dincer
Turkey will begin European Union accession negotiations in 2005. The negotiations will, of course, boost our struggle for the democratization of Turkey and for the equality between men and women in every field.
But our women's movement should not think that steps would be taken to maintain equality between sexes in every field, in line with the EU regulations.
The EU has not yet been able to get over the Common Market mentality, especially in the field of equality between men and women. The bloc's binding resolutions about social equality between sexes are mostly limited to economic and social areas.
For example, there are no binding decisions or regulations on an equal and balanced representation of men and women in political and public decision-making processes in the EU member countries.
The new EU Constitution doesn't bring about clear rules to force member countries to ensure equality between sexes in every field.
In summary, although the EU is more advanced than Turkey in terms of equality between men and women, there still exists the dominance of men in EU's institutions and the political, economic, social and cultural lives of the EU member countries.
Because there are no binding rules, there are important differences between the levels of social equality between sexes in EU countries. The Enlargement period may further widen these differences.
The European Women's Lobby (EWL), which is an umbrella organization for the women's movements in EU countries, has for years, struggled for the elimination of these shortcomings, and for the creation of binding and comprehensive rules and constitutional regulations in this field. With the additional strength of new EU members and candidate countries, the lobby has to be more forceful in its struggle.
The women's groups in Turkey have also joined the women's movements of EU countries this year under EWL. During the EU Constitution Convention period, the EWL's demand that "the social equality between sexes should not only be emphasized as a principle of the EU, but as one of the basic values of the EU," was not adequately met.
EWL's demand that a comprehensive and binding regulation, that would enforce the maintenance of equality between sexes, not only in economic and social fields but all other fields too, has still not been accepted.
The same situation goes for the creation of special funds and a special and separate mechanism within the EU, to "ensure social equality between sexes," and "to guarantee that women's views are reflected in the decisions that are taken."
Moreover, the accession of 10 new members into the EU has created the danger that issues such as abortion ban, which have long been eliminated from the agenda of EU countries, are brought back onto the agenda.
The EWL's struggles in such fields have to grow stronger. Thus, a difficult mission awaits Turkey's women's movement in the path toward the EU.
Turkey holds the record for the "prevalence and depth of the inequality between men and women," among EU candidates. For that reason, we need to struggle so that the EU rules for equality between sexes are implemented with speed.
Moreover, as a component of EWL, we have to struggle for the adoption of binding decisions and special measures on sexual equality and the creation of institutions and funds.
Women, by fighting for sexual equality in Turkey and the EU, will
become the actors of creating a different and social EU. Good luck
to all of you! 
2. - Reuters - "Turkey braces for reality of EU talks":
BRUSSELS / 20 December 2004 / by Mark John
Last week’s European Union summit offering Turkey talks on membership finished with hugs, kisses and a toast to a decision of historic moment.
Now Ankara must face the reality of negotiations which in practice mean being told to do better in areas as mundane as sewerage treatment, or as sensitive as minority rights.
"The very term ’negotiations’ is a misleading way of describing the accession talks," said Heather Grabbe of the Centre for European Reform thinktank.
"The EU is a tough and unyielding partner because 95 percent of its agenda is immovable," she said of the 80,000-page book of EU rules known as the "acquis communautaire".
The process is seen taking a decade or longer and will be unedifying to public opinion both in Turkey and across the EU, many of whose citizens are yet to be convinced of the poor Muslim nation’s claim to membership.
Friday’s summit had all the drama a Brussels event is able to muster, with squabbles, a walk-out threat by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and genuine elation as EU and Turkish delegates celebrated together the final deal.
The offer of talks met with euphoria in Turkey, where one newspaper quoted the words of respected 20th century poet, Nazim Hikmet: "Beautiful days beckon us, lads, sunny days beckon."
But in fact, Turkish negotiators are unlikely to see the light of day for 10 years or more as they wrestle with EU civil servants over obscure entry conditions.
COSTLY REFORMS
Even before talks can even start next October, Turkey will have to take the tough step of acknowledging the Greek Cypriot government in Nicosia, something it has said it can only do when a settlement for the divided island is reached.
Assuming that hurdle is passed, the negotiations will oblige it to make reforms more costly and far-reaching than those required by other clubs such as NATO or the United Nations.
Turkish industry, at present a strong backer of EU entry, will have to make expensive upgrades to its machinery to comply with EU standards on health, safety and the environment.
The EU, its parliaments and a legion of non-governmental bodies will demand concrete proof of improvements on human rights, be it the eradication of torture, treatment of women or acceptance of the use of the Kurdish language.
One of the big challenges will be in revamping an economy still recovering from the crisis of three years ago, and whose reputation for corruption and red-tape still scares off many much-needed foreign investors.
"It barely manages to attract 0.1 percent to 0.5 percent of gross domestic product in foreign investment," estimated Belgian business daily L’Echo, comparing that to the rates of five and 5-10 percent seen now in the EU’s new east European states.
Moreover Turkey can no longer rely on the vocal support of EU leaders. From now on, their priority is to win a series of upcoming referendums on the EU’s first constitution, and to resolve a brewing row over the bloc’s future funding.
That could leave the field open for sceptics of its membership to
push their campaigns. Nicolas Sarkozy, the French conservative expected
to run for presidency in 2007, did just that on Saturday, telling
French television: "If Turkey were European, we’d know it".
3. - Turkish Daily News - "Yasar Kemal writes on Turkish-EU relations":
Kemal: I do not understand why the EU perceives putting the Copenhagen criteria forward as if accepting them is a sacrifice for Turkey
ANKARA / 20 December 2004
Italian newspaper Corriera della Sera has given space to the opinions of Yasar Kemal, a leading figure in Turkish literature, on Turkish-EU relations in its Dec. 18 edition. In Kemal’s article entitled, “We will overcome our enemy with more democracy,” Kemal said that Dec. 17 – when EU members decided to give a date for membership talks with Turkey -- was the day Turkey had been waiting 40 years for.
“I am very happy. Turkey is an important country for everyone,” wrote Kemal, adding, “Turkish citizens have been supporters of peace for a very long time. They can make a very meaningful contribution to the EU, which was formed to guarantee peace. I know my people very well and I know what it means to them as 90 percent support EU membership. However, I do not understand why the EU perceives putting the Copenhagen criteria forward as if accepting them is a sacrifice for Turkey. Is it a sacrifice for Turkey to recognize the rights of its Kurdish people? What would Turkey lose if it recognizes the rights of 20 million people to speak in their mother tongue? To have two cultures which are strongly integrated with each other will help Turkey to integrate with other cultures. This is a unique opportunity, moreover, what do EU democracies want more? Is it Cyprus? If so, then this serious problem is in need of a solution that would be accepted by all the people of Cyprus,” said Kemal.
Qualifying the EU as the most meaningful order regarding the issues
of democracy, peace and stability, Kemal said: “I have heard
it mentioned that there are deficiencies in the approach of the EU
to cultural issues. Birds cannot fly with one wing. It is not possible
for technology, economy and inventions to fly without cultural wealth.”
4. - UPI - "Analysis: Turkey divided over Europe":
ISTANBUL / 20 December 2004 / by Claude Salhani
Recovering from some last-minute nail biting moments that revolved
around Turkey's recognition of Cyprus, the news from Brussels was
treated with elation in Turkey. The local press dedicated their front
pages to the event with such headlines as "historic agreement,"
and "historic compromise."
After an interminable waiting period of 41 years, Turkey was finally
given a date Friday by which it can start negotiating its entry into
the European Union. Talks between Ankara and Brussels are due to start
on Oct. 3, 2005. If all goes well, the earliest Turkey can expect
to become a full member of the EU is 10 years hence.
Newspapers published pictures showing jubilant European parliamentarians
holding up signs reading "yes," "oui," "ja"
and the Turkish "evet," after the "yeses" won
a non-binding vote to accept Turkey into the Union. In reference to
last minute support from France's President Jacques Chirac, whom earlier
appeared to be somewhat hesitant on Turkey, one newspaper printed
a big "Merci Monsieur," in large font spread across its
front page.
For the good part of the week, Turkish television stations were showing
all-Brussels, all the time.
But if the Turkish media showed satisfaction over what is certainly
a landmark change for both Europe and Turkey, not everyone is pleased
with the potential deal that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
agreed to in Brussels.
Sinan Aygun, president of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, does not
place much trust in future relations between Turkey and the EU. He
told United Press International that he did not believe the European
Union was "honest or reliable."
Aygun is one of Turkey's Euro-skeptics who believes Europe has ulterior
motives in extending its hand to Turkey. "Europe," said
Aygun, "did not treat Turkey the same way it is treating other
applicants.
Aygun was referring to less rigorous conditions placed on other EU
applicants, Bulgaria and Romania. While Turkey's accession to the
EU was accompanied by much fanfare and media coverage, the applications
of the two former communist countries passed by almost unnoticed.
The EU notified Bulgaria and Romania that membership treaties would
be signed next April, and they could effectively become members in
January 2007 -- at least 8 to 13 years ahead of Turkey.
Aygun thinks the goal of Brussels is not to admit Turkey, but instead
to lead it on. "They are playing for time," he said. Pushing
his skepticism, Aygun said he did not believe Turkey would be allowed
to become a "real member" anytime soon.
While the "anti-Europeans" in Turkey do not seem to be in
the majority by any means, Aygun is not alone to question the EU.
Several people this reporter spoke to echoed similar cynicism.
A prominent newspaper editor said that while joining the EU would
overall be positive, some people feared they would lose their soul
and their identity by joining Europe. "Some people fear Turkey
will lose its culture," he said.
Turkey's opposition party, the Republican People's Party, or CHP,
blasted the EU for being "discriminatory" against Turkey.
The party's leader, Deniz Baykal, speaking at a press conference in
the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Friday, said the talks "should
be put on ice."
Baykal called the EU's open-ended negotiations proposal "an insult"
to Turkey. However, political analysts say, "Baykal is playing
politics."
Russia, one of Turkey's neighbors is also unhappy, not to mention
worried, with Turkey joining the EU. With Turkey, and most likely
Ukraine, (if Viktor Yushchenko wins the Dec. 26 elections, chances
are Ukraine will apply for and receive membership) joining the EU,
Russia must quite literally be feeling Europe closing in on it.
The headline in Russia's Noviye Izvestia newspaper on Tuesday was,
"Farewell to Turkey." The paper lamented that Russia would
lose its "closest neighbor."
Turkey's Zaman newspaper reported Russia worries that "if Turkey
joins the EU, Turkish businessmen will no longer purchase raw materials
from Russia." Russia also worries over the Bosphorus, as the
straits will now be considered EU territory. Thousands of Russian
ships pass through the straits every year on their way to Black Sea
ports.
Others anticipate positive results. In Europe as well as in Turkey
there is hope that Turkey's entry into the EU will help Europe deal
with the growing problem of radical political Islam. Then there is
also hope that the "Europeanization" of Turkey will have
a positive rub-off effect on its Arab and Islamic neighbors.
"It is important for Europe in that it will no longer be a Christian
club," said Ali Bardakoglu, president of the Diyanet, or religious
affairs, the highest religious authority in Turkey. Speaking to UPI,
Bardakoglu believes a union of Muslim Turkey with mostly Christian
Europe "will eventually break the radicals."
"Turkey joining the EU will set a good example that different
cultures can live in harmony," said Bardakoglu.
"I cannot make it clearer that a clash of civilization is a theory
-- it is wishful thinking. In the 21st century we have to leave clashes
behind. People have to decide how much or little they follow religion,"
Bardakoglu said. "A multi-cultural, multi-religious Europe is
better off."
Columnist Mehmet Yilmaz, quoted in the Turkish Daily News said the
decision to admit Turkey into the EU was "a light for the Islamic
world."
5. - Xinhuanet - "France to include "Armenian genocide"
in Turkey's EU bid talks: FM":
PARIS / 20 December 2004
France will include the issue of the"Armenian genocide" when negotiations over Turkey's admission to the European Union (EU) start next October, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier told F rench RTL radio on Monday.
"What has to be done now is to start membership negotiations which are going to be very long, very difficult, during which we will put all issues on the table, including that of the Armenian genocide, with the hope of obtaining a response from Turkey before membership," said the minister.
Barnier used the term "Armenian genocide" last Tuesday in frontof the French parliament instead of "tragedy" -- the term used by the Turkish authorities -- which Barnier had earlier used in debates on the issue.
The 1915-1917 massacre of Armenians, in which an estimated 1.5 million people died under the Ottoman Empire, has been a sensitive subject of Turkey's EU bid.
On Jan. 18, 2001, the French parliament passed a resolution stating that "France recognizes publicly the Armenian genocide of 1915" without designating responsibility.
French President Jacques Chirac supports Turkey's bid to join the EU but faces deep opposition from his own ruling party and the majority of French voters.
During the EU summit meeting last Thursday and Friday, Chirac firmly backed negotiations for Turkey's EU membership scheduled tostart Oct. 3, 2005.
However, he promised the final decision on Turkey's membership,so
far as French voters are concerned, will come in a referendum at the
end of the negotiations.
6. - Bianet - "Turkey Should Force Greekcypriots for ...":
"Turkey will have to recognize Cyprus during EU negotiations," said Akinci from BDH, Soyer from CTP and Angolemli from TKP. "There has to be peace in Cyprus. Turkey should take initiative for peace on the island."
LEFKOSA / 20 December 2004 / by Burcin Belge
For the representatives of political parties in northern Cyprus, the developments at the European Union summit in Brussels, have created a "new and important opportunity for peace in Cyprus." They believe that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have to take action as soon as possible to encourage Greek Cypriots to reunite the island.
"If Turkey recognizes a Cyprus Republic, which is governed by Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots will have to forget their rights granted to them under the Annan Plan," said Mustafa Akinci, head of the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH) in northern Cyprus. "In that case, Turkish Cypriots will only have a diluted version of their rights granted to them by the 1960 Agreement."
"The settlement in Brussels has provided Turkish Cypriots and Turkey with a new opportunity to defeat the blackmailing attitude of the Papdopoulos government," said Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the Secretary-General of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP).
"Turkey, in its bid to join the EU, will have to recognize the Cyprus Republic, and it will always run into this problem during negotiations," said Huseyin Angolemli, head of the Socialist Liberation Party (TKP). Angolemli expressed that Turkey has to avoid a step that would reduce the status of Turkish Cypriots into a minority, and called on both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to initiate the peace process.
The following are opinions of Akinci, Soyer and Angolemli about the developments in Brussels:
Akinci: It is not enough to recognize 24 members of a 25-member bloc.
* It was pretty clear that Turkey would get a date to start EU negotiations at the Brussels summit. What needs to be done now, is to solve the Cyprus problem by October 3, and get Turkey recognize a united Cyprus Republic.
* When Turkey sits at the table on October 3, it will negotiate with a 25-member bloc. It can't get away with just recognizing 24 of the 25 members.
* If a solution on the island is delayed, the economic relations Turkey will have to build with the Cyprus Republic governed by Greek Cypriots, will in time, turn into political relations.
* We need to make clear that the lack of solution will be to the disadvantage of Greek Cypriots too. Cypriots, Turkish and Greek Cypriots, have to take action for peace on the island.
Limited negotiations on the Annan Plan
* We propose limited negotiations on the Annan Plan. We need to bring about peace by making small changes but preserving the essence of the Annan Plan, so that we can change the "no" of Greek Cypriots into a "yes" and keep the "yes" of Turkish Cypriots as it is.
* General elections will be held on the Turkish Cypriot side on February 20. A pro-peace government has to take power in the elections.
* The messages from the Turkish government are very important for Turkish Cypriots. The Erdogan government will have to play a constrictive role in the process toward peace.
Soyer: A new opportunity to defeat the blackmailing approach of the Papadopoulos government
* The Papadopoulos government tried to use the advantage, which was
provided to it by the pro-status quo officials who blocked peace in
The Hague and Copenhagen, against the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey
in Brussels. The settlement in Brussels has provided Turkish Cypriots
and Turkey with a new opportunity to defeat the blackmailing attitude
of the Papdopoulos
government.
* The success today, will show the Greek Cypriots that Papdopoulos' policy of "no to peace" is unsuccessful. If the international community stands beside Turkish Cypriots, that will help Greek Cypriots eliminate those who are against peace.
* Turkish Cypriots and Turkey will have to demonstrate their will to solve the Cyprus problem by October 3.
* What's important is to speed up the peace process and the eliminate the isolation of Turkish Cypriots. We have to make the Greek Cypriots question Papdopoulos who says: "I rejected the peace plan and I didn't lose anything.
Angolemli: Turkish Cypriots have to take measures for a solution
* The summit will boost Turkey's EU bid and trigger peace initiatives in Cyprus. Turkey knows that the absence of solution on the island will always haunt it on the negotiations table.
* Greek Cypriots don't seem to want peace. They have to be forced to want a solution. Greek Cypriots have to understand that a lack of solution will hurt them too. Turkish Cypriots have to take some measures to make that happen.
* For example, we have to bring onto the agenda the creation of a Turkish Cypriot State, which was going to be a constituent state of the United Cyprus Republic under the Annan Plan. We have to defend our rights arising from the 1960 Agreement.
* Turkish Cypriots, who had to leave their houses because of oppression and pressures between the years 1963 and 1974, have to go ahead and sue the Cyprus Republic, and demand to be compensated. Turkish Cypriots will have to bring onto the agenda a case similar to the Loizidou case.
* Under the Annan Plan, two of the six Cypriot lawmakers to have a seat at the European Parliament, would be Turkish Cypriots. Turkish Cypriots need to pick those two people and send them to the European Parliament. The Turkish Cypriot lawmakers can sit at the parliament's corridors, even if they can't enter the parliament, and send a message to the world every day. An approach has to be adopted to encourage the Greek Cypriots to want a solution.
* Moreover, north Cyprus doesn't seem to have will for a solution right now. Although the negotiations in Brussels were focused on the Cyprus problem, there was not a single politician there to represent Turkish Cypriots. Neither our prime minister, nor our foreign minister or any other politician was there.
* Turkish Cypriots and Turkey have to take initiative for peace right
now. They have to face the problem and ask for their rights without
ever giving up.