19 July 2004

1. "Turkish human rights group sees improvement but room for progress", fewer cases of torture and arbitrary arrest were reported in Turkey in the first six months of this year but reforms are being badly applied and combat deaths have increased, a human rights group reported Saturday.

2. "Turkey woos France over EU membership bid", Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan begins an official three-day visit to Paris – and talks with French President Jacques Chirac on Tuesday.

3. "Israel's Alliances With Turkey", Israel's strategic alliances with Turkey and India have come under strain in recent weeks.

4. "Turkey Takes a Step Toward Islamic World", the recent trip of Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Ottri to Ankara and his talks with Turkish officials open a new chapter in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

5. "Turkish Cypriots spurn Greek plan", the Turkish Cypriot leader described as a distraction a proposal by the Greek Cypriot government to pull back forces from both sides of the dividing line.

6. "Here are the Turkish Intelligence Centers in South Kurdistan", the facilities of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization Milli Istihbarat Teskilati - MIT), which has begun in recent days to reorganize its intelligence network in South [Iraqi] Kurdistan, cover a wide area.

1. - AFP - "Turkish human rights group sees improvement but room for progress":

ISTANBUL / 17 July 2004

Fewer cases of torture and arbitrary arrest were reported in Turkey in the first six months of this year but reforms are being badly applied and combat deaths have increased, a human rights group reported Saturday.

The Turkish Human Rights Association (IHD) said 692 cases of torture had been registered, compared with 972 in the first six months of 2003, and 3,688 cases of arbitrary arrest compared with 5,353 in the same period last year.

The results were positive on the whole but needed to be seen in perspective, Husnu Ondul, IHD president, said in a statement. "Over short periods the figures rise or fall but the existence of torture is a reality which does not change," he said.

"To prevent torture, changes in the law are not enough," he said. "Declarations by ministers that 'we are going to carry out an inquiry, and send an inspector' or 'the case will be referred to the courts have no effect."

The association says the government should dismiss public officials involved in torture.

The Turkish government is hoping to get the go-ahead in December from European Union leaders to open discussions about EU membership and has introduced a number of reforms designed to increase respect for human rights.

The IHD called on the government to resolve "by peaceful and democratic ways" the problem with its Kurdish minority. The armed separatist wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (formerly PKK, now Kongra-Gel) ended a five-year ceasefire on June 1.

According to the association, 61 people have died in fighting, mostly between Kurdish separatists and Turkish forces, so far this year, 55 of them in the last three months, compared with 41 in the same period in 2003.

2. - EUpolitix - "Turkey woos France over EU membership bid":

19 July 2004

Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan begins an official three-day visit to Paris – and talks with French President Jacques Chirac on Tuesday.

Erdogan will be pleading Ankara’s case for EU membership ahead of a European Commission report in October and discussions among Europe’s leaders on Turkey’s prospects.

“It is an important visit to an important EU state,” said Turkey’s foreign ministry.

The Turkish prime minister will be holding talks with Chirac, the French PM Jean-Pierre Raffrain and leading members of the Paris political elite.

Chirac has described the momentum behind Ankara’s bid to join the EU’s exclusive club as “irreversible” but Turkey faces considerable opposition to European membership in France and Germany.

Erdogan will stress to Chirac that the timing for Turkey is not as important as the ultimate goal of EU membership.

And he will lobby strongly against calls for Ankara to be given a "privileged partnership” instead of full membership.

"I consider the negotiation process more important than full membership. After negotiation process starts, we will implement what is necessary and then the union will make Turkey a full member," Erdogan said on Saturday.

"It will take five years or ten years, it is not very important. What is important is Turkey`s fulfilling its task successfully."

Right-wingers and Christian Democrats in France and Germany are opposed to Turkey’s membership on religious grounds – arguing that the entry into the EU of 66 million Muslims will change Europe forever.

Many EU officials believe that Ankara’s ‘accession’ process could take up to ten years – 2014 or later – by which time Turkey’s population could be as large as Germany.

Under the EU’s new constitution voting rights are closely tied to population size, opening up the possibility of Turkey altering Europe’s balance of power in an unprecedented way.

Berlin with 82m citizens is the EU heavy hitter, with France in second place with a population of 60.4m – Turkey, if it joined the EU now, would immediately become a major player pushing France into third and the UK into fourth ranking.

German and French diplomats are concerned at giving Ankara a European voice if Turkey is unable to show it can uphold Europe’s secular and human rights traditions.

3. - The Daily Star - "Israel's Alliances With Turkey":

BEIRUT / 17 July 2004 / by Ed Blanche

Israel's strategic alliances with Turkey and India have come under strain in recent weeks, threatening to undermine its efforts to project military and intelligence capabilities far beyond its borders in the post-Sept. 11, 2001, world, in particular against the threat of Islamic terrorism and Muslim nuclear weapons. Both India and Turkey see themselves as victims of Islamic terrorism and have been seen as natural allies of Israel, whose influence in Washington and whose advanced defense industry they seek to embrace.

Turkey's new Islamic government has been fiercely critical of Israeli military operations against the Palestinians in Gaza and is increasingly at odds with Turkey's powerful military establishment, the driving force behind the 1996 defense agreement with Israel. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not mince his words when he met Israel's then infrastructure minister, Yousef Paritzky, on May 25. "What is the difference between terrorists who kill Israeli civilians and Israel, which also kills civilians?" he asked. Erdogan's ire appears directed largely at Ariel Sharon's government, but Turkish columnist Erdal Guven was prompted to comment in the Radikal newspaper: "It is obvious that the 'strategic alliance' is in a period of erosion."

Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Israel for a period to protest what Ankara said was Israel's brutality against the Palestinians. On June 24, Turkish authorities refused to allow Israeli security men to operate at Istanbul airport, triggering an aviation dispute in which flights to and from Israel were badly disrupted for two weeks.

But the rift goes much deeper than that. A US report that Israeli intelligence is working with Iraq's restive Kurds to infiltrate Syria and Iran, fearful they will get the short end of the stick in the new distribution of power in the post-Saddam era, has caused intense concern in Ankara. Turkey does not want to see Iraq fragment with the Kurds breaking away. Israel prefers a weak and decentralized Iraq.

Israelis are reportedly training Kurdish commando units in northern Iraq and infiltrating agents into Iran. One of their main missions: plot Iran's clandestine nuclear weapons program for possible pre-emptive strikes by the Israeli Air Force. Israel believes Tehran is about a year away from a breakthrough in that program and is accelerating its Shehab intermediate-range ballistic missile program. If all these reports are accurate, much trouble is looming.

Israel has denied it is operating in Iraqi Kurdistan, and spin doctors in Israel and the US have sought to minimize the emerging rift by insisting that Ankara's unusually harsh position on Israel was aimed at placating a Turkish public that is increasingly hostile toward Israel. But it seems that for the Turks, Israel is guilty until proven innocent. Israel believes Turkey's drive to join the European Union, no great friends of the Jewish state, has a lot to do with the Ankara's increasingly critical line.

Israel has sought to avoid an open rift with Turkey. "It is enormously important, now more than ever, to maintain a good relationship with Turkey to show that there is not necessarily any contradiction in a Muslim country maintaining good relations with Israel," Haaretz said in an editorial on July 13.

However, it appears that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, one of Erdogan's closest confidants, was behind the leak on Israeli interference in Kurdistan, to demonstrate Ankara's deepening anxiety that Kurdish aspirations of independence will be fueled by Israeli interference. Indeed, the US debacle in Iraq is driving neighbors Turkey, Syria and Iran into each other's arms as all fear chaos in Iraq in the coming months.

The worsening relations between Israel and Turkey, the two major non-Arab powers in the region, has caused serious concern in the Bush administration, which fears its strategic alliances in the Middle East, a key element in its war against terror, may be unraveling at a time when it can least afford it. The US, seeking to consolidate its influence in the Middle East and Asia, encouraged and fostered Israel's ties with Turkey and India.

US President George W. Bush raised the issue of the strains between Israel and Turkey with Erdogan at the NATO summit in Istanbul in late June and is reported to have urged him to normalize relations with the Jewish state in the interests of regional stability. It is not known how Erdogan responded, but his has shown determination since he came to power in 2002, with strong popular support, to move Turkey in new directions.

He has snubbed a request by Sharon to visit Turkey, and neither he nor Gul have visited Israel. Erdogan refused to see Israeli Vice-Premier Ehud Olmert when he visited Ankara this week, saying he was busy with his daughter's wedding, but did meet the visiting Syrian prime minister, Mohammed Naji Otri, on Tuesday.

Erdogan's government has embarked upon a high-profile diplomatic effort to bolster relations with the Arab and Muslim world which were blighted by Israel's 1996 military agreements with Turkey. Ankara has settled its disputes with Syria, is seeking to normalize its often fraught relations with Iran.

4. - Tehran Times - "Turkey Takes a Step Toward Islamic World":

18 July 2004 / by Hassan Hanizadeh

The recent trip of Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Ottri to Ankara and his talks with Turkish officials open a new chapter in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Syria and Turkey are Muslim countries with an 850-kilometer common border. Their ties have faced many vicissitudes during the past three decades during which the two countries made accusations against each other. These accusations led to Turkish troops massing on the Syrian borders in 1999, but the wise stance adopted by Syrian President Hafiz Asad prevented the outbreak of war between the two countries.

Although Turkey is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and is knocking on the door of the European Union, the country is considered to be part of the Islamic world due to its geography and population.

Turkey and Syria can play a significant role in resolving the problems of the Islamic world, especially the Palestine and Iraq issues, because of their proximity as well as their historical and cultural affinities with the two nations.

Turkey has adopted certain stances that have brought it back to its natural home in the Islamic world, such as its recent adoption of positive stances on issues of the Islamic world, its downgrading of diplomatic relations with Israel, its support of the Palestinians, and the hosting of the recent meeting of foreign ministers of member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

The moderate government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his firm stance toward the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian nation created the hope for Muslim nations that Turkey, despite its tendency toward the West, feels some responsibility about the complicated issues of the Islamic world.

Erdogan’s censure of the Israeli suppression of the Palestinian people caused Israel to recall its ambassador from Ankara to Tel Aviv, although the Zionist regime should have realized that Turkey would not put all of its eggs in Israel’s basket.

Since a Turkish politician was recently appointed secretary general of the OIC, Turkey feels greater responsibility toward Muslim issues.

Making efforts to resolve its problems with neighboring countries and to restore the Palestinians’ rights, focusing on the Iraq issue, and preventing the influence of the Zionist regime in the region will certainly be the first steps that Turkey will take in this regard.

Iraq’s neighbors are the countries in the best position to arrange meetings to resolve the crisis in that country.

Certainly, recent events in Iraq will have more influence on Iran, Turkey, and Syria than on other countries. At such a critical juncture, continuous negotiations between these three countries on the Iraq and Palestine issues could help reduce the negative consequences caused by these events.

The Zionist regime does not welcome the warming of relations between Turkey and Syria and the resolution of their longstanding dispute and will definitely attempt to sow discord between the two countries. However, the two sides will proceed in line with their national interests. The more Turkey distances itself from Israel, the closer it gets to its real family, the Islamic world.

5. - BBC - "Turkish Cypriots spurn Greek plan":

16 July 2004

The Turkish Cypriot leader described as a distraction a proposal by the Greek Cypriot government to pull back forces from both sides of the dividing line.
Mehmet Ali Talat said the plan would only get in the way of revival of the UN reunification plan, rejected by Greek Cypriot voters last April.

The pull-back proposal is among several "confidence building" measures put forward by the government.

The so-called 'Green Line' has divided Cyprus since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Proposals

The government's proposals include disengaging forces from the UN-guarded line within the medieval walls of the divided capital Nicosia and other points on the island.

Greek Cypriot officials said the proposals would require the Turkish military to match the gesture on the northern side of the ceasefire line.

The proposals also include:

the opening of eight further checkpoints along the ceasefire line

curbs on war games and establishing a 2km (1.2 miles) military-free area either side of the line

the opening of Famagusta, a port town currently controlled by the Turkish administration, for use by both communities.
The Greek Cypriot government has unilaterally decided to extend its programme to clear thousands of landmines inside the UN buffer zone.

"It is our conviction that these initiatives will form the basis of fostering trust and security among Greek and Turkish Cypriots," said Cypriot government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides.

But Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat dismissed the proposals, saying the same result could have been achieved with the UN plan.

"The measures are a diversion from the real issues," he said. "We cannot achieve anything by different packages of measures. The target on Cyprus should be a comprehensive solution."

The Turkish government was cautious.

"Let's look at what they say. We'll evaluate the proposals with our (Turkish Cypriot) friends and then we will make a decision," said Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

Criticism

The BBC's Tabitha Morgan, in Nicosia, says the Cyprus government hopes this proposal will take the sting out of some of the strong international criticism that was directed at the Greek Cypriot community after it overwhelmingly rejected the UN backed plan to reunite the island.

Many Greek Cypriots were not happy with the UN plan's limits on their right to return to property in the Turkish north and the rate at which the 30,000 Turkish troops would gradually leave the island.


The plan was accepted by the Turkish Cypriots but the Greek Cypriots' rejection meant only the south joined the EU.
The EU has said that in response to the referendum result it would reward Turkish Cypriots by easing economic sanctions in the north of Cyprus.

The government's plans have been submitted to the United Nations and the European Commission.

A UN spokesman said the UN welcomed the announcement and remained committed to facilitating all "confidence building measures".

6. - MHA - "Here are the Turkish Intelligence Centers in South Kurdistan":

AMADIYA / 15 July 2004 / translated from Turkish by Kurdish Media

The facilities of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization Milli Istihbarat Teskilati - MIT), which has begun in recent days to reorganize its intelligence network in South [Iraqi] Kurdistan, cover a wide area.

The MIT facilities that MHA has been able to identify and photograph on location monitor all the activities of the Kurds, and particularly, at first, those of the PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party] and then later those of the KONGRA-GEL [Peoples Congress of Kurdistan]. It is also reported that MIT, whose facilities are next to those of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, is planning provocation actions. In this way, efforts are underway to create instability in South Kurdistan and Iraq.

MIT has institutionalized itself in the towns of Amadiyah, Sulaymaniyah, Diyana, Kirkuk, and Hewler [Erbil], and especially in Zakho and Duhok, which are close to its own border, and is engaged in work to establish an extensive intelligence network within society.

Coordination Center is Zakho

The activities of MIT, which began to establish itself in South Kurdistan starting in 1991, are coordinated from Zakho, and transport and logistic support are also provided from here. It is noteworthy that the MIT building in the Mijemih Section of Zakho, at the entrance to the city when coming from the Khabur Border Point, is only 200 meters distant from the Iraqi Turkmen Front.

Arrangements for the MIT personnel in South Kurdistan, who come from Turkey in civilian vehicles, are made here, and transport and logistical support are also provided from here. Since the MIT and JITEM [Gendarmerie Counter Terrorism Department] headquarters in Zakho are close to the border, they also play a coordinating role.

The center here organizes intelligence work among the people, and by working through various tribal leaders, against KONGRA-GEL in particular. Work is also conducted in order to collect information regarding individuals within the KDP [Kurdistan Democratic Party] who are opposed to Turkey, in order to have them expelled. In addition, individuals, employers, and members of various professional groups who cross into South Kurdistan from Turkey are placed under surveillance by means of agents.

MIT Also Monitors the UN

In Duhok, MIT has set itself up in the Girebase quarter. It is noteworthy that the Iraqi Turkmen Front is near the MIT building here as well.

From this center, groups and organizations that are active in the Behdinan region, as well as civil society organizations, are monitored. The information obtained from agents that infiltrate these groups is sent along to Turkey.

The activities of the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) are monitored the most intensely. The UNHCR’s interest in Kurdish refugees has attracted Turkey’s attention. MIT also seeks to recruit agents among the refugees themselves. In this way, an effort is being made bring about the return of the refugees without any political or economic demands. At the same time, this center also monitors closely the Kurdistan policies of foreigners.

MIT Headquarters in Amadiyah Protected by Tanks

In the MIT headquarters at Amadiyah, the focus of the surveillance is on KONGRA-GEL [formally known as the PKK]. Tanks have been positioned in front of the MIT building, which is located in the Turkish military headquarters below the town of Amadiyah, which is located within a high fortress. At Amadiyah, MIT operates in conjunction with the military units at Derelok and Sheladize. In addition to engaging in intelligence activity aimed at enhancing the movement capability of the army in the region, plots are also occasionally hatched against people in South Kurdistan who sympathize with the Kurdish Freedom Struggle.

In Diyana, it is claimed that, in addition to surveilling KONGRA-GEL from its large headquarters at the entrance to the city, which is equipped with communications systems and a high antenna and is surrounded by high walls, it is also engaged in profit-making activities there. It is claimed that it is involved in organizing smuggling activities in this city within the Iraq-Iran-Turkey triangle. These smuggling activities include narcotics, motor vehicles, people, and historical artifacts.

Bribes to Have Arabs Adopt Turkmen Identity

Coordination of the organizing of Kirkuk’s Turkomans and Arabs is carried out from Sulaymaniyah. It is noted that MIT has been behind a number of armed attacks that have taken place in Kirkuk. It is said that all sorts of military and political efforts have been conducted in order that the Kurds not become dominant in Kirkuk. Efforts are underway to have Arabs change their identities to that of Turkmens by paying them money, and for the Turkish ideology to be spread by means of aid from the Turkish Red Crescent Society.

It is claimed as well that Turkish intelligence has been behind the attacks that have taken place against Kurds from time to time. The aim is to pacify the Kurds by assassinating leading Kurdish figures. At the same time, efforts are afoot to intensify the conflicts between Kurds and Arabs. Similar activities in Mosul are drawing attention as well.

Press in Hewler Controlled by MIT

In Hewler, the aim is for Turkey to become dominant by increasing its influence over press and publications, and in commercial activities. Material and technical support is being provided to the Turkmens in establishing radio, television and newspaper facilities. The newspaper Turkmeneli, and the Turkmen radio and television stations, are all based in Hewler. These organs follow a political line that is close to Turkey.

Various secret meetings take place in the buildings of the Turkmen Front in Hewler. According to the local press in South Kurdistan, one week after a meeting that MIT and pro-Turkey Turkmens held in Hewler, clashes broke out between Turkmens and Kurds in Tuzhurmatu, which is between Hewler and Kirkuk. The response that the new Iraqi government will show to these activities of Turkey in South Kurdistan is being awaited with considerable curiosity.