2 November 2004

1. "Report on minority rights too hot for Turkey", a debate over a report criticizing breaches of minority rights in aspiring European Union member Turkey turned ugly on Monday when members of a government-sponsored human rights group that authored the document clashed in public.

2. "BIA Media Monitoring Report", the BIA third quarterly Media Monitoring Report for the period July-September 2004 deals with 26 court cases and 69 journalists. Two journalists are threatened by ruling AKP officials and a daily is heavily fined for a cartoon critical of Erdogan.

3. "Ankara and European Objections", several days ago, the EU commission issued a report recommending the official negotiations with Ankara regarding its membership in the Union. However, this recommendation is not a guarantee for Turkey to enter the European club; for the Union could still place many obstacles in front of Turkey to prevent it from joining the EU.

4. "Which way is West for Turkey?", when Turkey's parliament voted in March 2003 against allowing American troops to open a northern front against Iraq, Turkey's traditional strategic partnership with the United States ended. The two countries still recognize many mutual interests, but now they manage these interests on a far different basis.

5. "EU Aid to Turkey Grows to 2 Billion in 2007", as Turkey begins membership negotiations with the European Union (EU), the amount of aid earmarked for Turkey will increase. Turkey will receive 300 million euros in aid from the EU in 2005.

6. "Plan To Intervene In Kirkuk In 8 Hours", Turkish General Staff, feeling uneasy over the plans of Kurdish groups to change demographical structure particularly in Kirkuk, prepared a plan to launch an operation against north of Iraq with 40 thousand soldiers.

1. - AFP - "Report on minority rights too hot for Turkey":

ANKARA / 1 November 2004

A debate over a report criticizing breaches of minority rights in aspiring European Union member Turkey turned ugly on Monday when members of a government-sponsored human rights group that authored the document clashed in public.

The incident was the latest episode in a row within the Human Rights Advisory Board, a body attached to the office of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which highlighted widespread hostility in Turkey to advanced cultural freedoms for the country's Kurdish and non-Muslim communities.

Nationalist members of the board, which is comprised of government officials, academics and civic groups, sabotaged a news conference called to formally release the report, which makes some controversial recommendations to the government and excerpts of which were last week leaked to the media.

Shortly after the head of the board, Ibrahim Kaboglu, had started to speak, a nationalist unionist grabbed the papers from his hands and tore them to pieces, yelling: "This report is a fabrication and should be torn apart."

Kaboglu was forced to leave the hall, lamenting: "We cannot even hold a news conference. This is the state of freedom of thought in Turkey."

The EU, which Turkey is seeking to join, has long pressed Ankara to grant equal cultural freedoms to its sizeable Kurdish minority as well as smaller, non-Muslim communities such as Greeks, Armenians and Jews.

Government officials, including Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, have also raised eyebrows at some of the reforms the report recommends.

The document maintains that Turkey's understanding of minority rights had fallen behind universal norms and proposes far-reaching amendments to the constitution and related laws, atop reforms that Turkey had already undertaken as part of its EU membership bid.

The report describes as a "paranoia" widespread concerns that equal cultural rights for minorities could lead to the country's break-up, fuelled by a bloody Kurdish rebellion in the southeast in the 1980s and 1990s.

There is no doubt that a more humane treatment by the state of its own people will be much more helpful for the country's unity... The citizens the state should fear the least are the ones whom it has granted their rights," it says.

The report also underlines that for decades Turkey had breached its founding treaty, the 1923 Lausanne Treaty, which envisages the free use by all Turkish citizens of any language in commercial activities, meetings and in the press.

It maintains that non-Muslims in particular are subject to discrimination and are sometimes treated as foreigners rather than equal Turkish citizens.

"Today, non-Muslim employees are nowhere to be found in the Turkish armed forces, the foreign ministry, the security department and the national intelligence organization," the report says.

In one of its most criticized proposals, the document recommends amendments to a basic constitutional article which the constitution itself bans from being changed.

The article speaks of "the indivisible unity of the nation," an expression, which according to the report rejects the existence of different cultural groups, and describes Turkish as "the language of the state" rather than the country's official language.

Critics last week blasted the report as "a document of treason" and asked an Ankara court to launch legal proceedings against its authors.

2. - Bianet - "BIA Media Monitoring Report":

The BIA third quarterly Media Monitoring Report for the period July-September 2004 deals with 26 court cases and 69 journalists. Two journalists are threatened by ruling AKP officials and a daily is heavily fined for a cartoon critical of Erdogan.

ISTANBUL / 2 November 2004 / by Erol Onderoglu

The "Network for Monitoring and Covering Media Freedom and Independent Journalism" (BIA2) project has published its third quarterly Media Monitoring Report, which covers the period July-September 2004.

The 13-page report provides a chronological account of all rights violations under the topics: "attacks and threats," "detentions and arrests," "trials and attempts," "European Court of Human Rights," "RTUK practices," "regulations and legal procedures," and "reaction to censorship."

According to the BIA2 report, two out of six reporters in the provinces of Van and Ordu, who said they were threatened, filed a complaint at the prosecutor's office against the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) officials.

The report, which covers 26 court cases and the situation of 69 journalists, shows that three cases have ended in a court decision of lack of grounds for legal action, and five have ended in sanctions. The Supreme Court of Appeals overturned lower courts' rulings about three journalists, while four new cases were opened against media members and one preliminary inquiry was launched.

The "Gunluk Evrensel" (Daily Evrensel) newspaper was handed a fine of 10 billion Turkish liras (USD 6,700) in damages for publishing a caricature of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Tavir" (Manner) magazine was closed down for 15 days for another caricature.

Visit the following link to read the full version of the report: http://www.bianet.org/index_eng_root.htm

3. - Al-Hayat - "Ankara and European Objections":

1 November 2004 / by Nizam Mardini

Several days ago, the EU commission issued a report recommending the official negotiations with Ankara regarding its membership in the Union. However, this recommendation is not a guarantee for Turkey to enter the European club; for the Union could still place many obstacles in front of Turkey to prevent it from joining the EU.

If Turkey were able to join the EU, it would be an historic event; not only because of Turkey's preparations and Ankara's willingness to answer the European demand but also because it would be a chance to prove that both the Islamic and Christian cultures could share democratic values under the framework of an open market. The Turkish Prime Minister said, "the spirit of the European Union is the unification of values, and it is not the geographic or borderline unification."

In spite of this, what are the reasons behind the European objection to Turkey's accession to the Union? Why are the Europeans resisting Turkish membership? According to Turkish researchers, public opinion in many European countries does not welcome the intention of adding Turkey to "their Union." This might be true; however, public opinion was never a direct measure in such a kind of a situation. Turkish researchers believe that the real reason behind this European objection or resistance is the fact that if Turkey joins the EU, it would make it the second largest European country after Germany in terms of population size. This means that Turkey would enjoy an equal power of voting similar to Germany. The second reason is that the Turkish people with its Muslim majority are not helping a lot along that line. The third reason is the poverty of the Turkish people and the low levels of wages in Turkey in addition to the incommensurable competition between Turkey and the EU are all considered to be a burden for the EU.

What is the real aftermath if Turkey were able to join the EU?

For Turkey: There is a consensus in Turkey that after the Iraqi war, the country stands amidst new strategic and geo-strategic variables. In addition to Turkey's military might there is a strategic importance of the country due to the nature of its political system and its alliances. Whoever is calling upon Turkey to turn its back on Europe and form alliances with Russia and Iran are outside the sphere of influence and support. However, the Eurasians are waiting for the EU to commit a mistake. No doubt Turkey's membership in the EU will depend heavily on Turkey's stability and prosperity. If the next EU summit gives a green light to begin negotiations, this means that Turkey's track for the coming years will be determined. Despite all the security and economic predicaments, Ankara will be the center of economic activity for all neighboring countries.

For the Europeans: The European Commission clarified that the negotiations between Turkey and the EU regarding the Turkish demand of joining the EU might drag on into the next decade, and Turkey might not benefit from all the European aids until 2025. According to the EU, Turkey's membership is a challenge for both the EU and Turkey. Conversely, the Europeans are concerned about the Islamic influence if Turkey were able to join the EU, and this is another imperative issue for the Europeans. The French Prime Minister questioned last month if the Europeans really want the Islamic river to flow into the heartland of secularism?

The Americans look upon the relationship between Ankara and the EU through the door of grander American strategic interests. Despite the fact that Turkey was the Iron Curtain that prevented the Soviet expansion towards the Middle East during the Cold War, Turkey still reflects a mounting strategic importance for the U.S., which strongly supports Turkey's membership in the EU. The American administration considers that this membership is a strategic alternative that would influence the future political challenges for Turkey and the EU, as well as American interests in the Middle East.

4. - The Korean Herald - "Which way is West for Turkey?":

2 November 2004 / by Soli Ozel

When Turkey's parliament voted in March 2003 against allowing American troops to open a northern front against Iraq, Turkey's traditional strategic partnership with the United States ended. The two countries still recognize many mutual interests, but now they manage these interests on a far different basis.

The vote shocked "old Europe" and the Arab world as much as the Bush administration. Europeans who considered Turkey a potential Trojan horse for America within the European Union were forced to reconsider. For many Arabs, the vote showed that Turkey was not an American lackey and would not cooperate with American imperial designs, despite close Turkish-Israeli relations.

Long-simmering disagreements between Turkey and the United States came to a boil with the emergence of the Kurds of northern Iraq as the Pentagon's main allies in the Iraq War. The American administration made it clear that military intervention by Turkey in northern Iraq would not be tolerated.

That message was confirmed on July 4, 2003, when American forces arrested several Turkish Special Forces troops in the town of Sulaimaniya, humiliating them by putting sacks over their head as they took them into custody. Only intervention by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney two and a half days later secured the release of the soldiers, who were alleged to have been planning clandestine operations within the Kurdish zone.

Despite ongoing tensions, the Turkish government has been eager to mend relations with America, as it is anxious to have some influence over developments in Iraq. So the authorities responded quickly to the Bush administration's request for Turkish troops to join the coalition, although the idea was stillborn - rejected by both the Kurds and the American-appointed Governing Council in Iraq.

America has its own reasons to patch up the relationship. Turkey's secular, capitalistic, democratic order has become especially valuable to the Bush administration as it seeks to integrate the wider Middle East into the world system by liberalizing its economy and democratizing its polity. Thus, America trumpeted its continuing support for Turkish membership in the EU, notably in President Bush's speech in June at Istanbul's Galatasaray University - at a bridge that joins Asia and Europe.

But serious bilateral problems remain. The government is irritated by U.S. occupation forces' neglect of the northern Iraqi bases of the PKK, the Kurdish separatist insurgents who have fought a 15-year war against Turkey. More broadly, the government regards the United States as too complacent vis-a-vis Kurdish political developments and unmoved by Turkey's concerns about Kurdish independence. The United States, for its part, is unhappy with the government's objections to unrestricted American use of the Incirlik airbase in southeastern Turkey, as well as by recent tensions with Israel.

In the meantime, Turkey is moving closer to the EU, with the government overcoming nationalistic objections in the parliament to push through comprehensive reforms. Turkey also showed its goodwill over Cyprus, removing a nagging political obstacle to EU membership. These steps led to the European Commission's recent recommendation to begin accession negotiations with Turkey.

The EU accession process has also underpinned a shift in Turkish policy on Iraq. Previously, Turkey viewed Iraq solely in the context of its domestic Kurdish problem. But widespread European opposition to the war removed the possibility of Turkish military intervention, forcing the government to develop another vision of Turkey's interests.

At the same time, the Iraqi Kurds also appear to appreciate how much they need a friendly Turkey. The northern border with Turkey is their lifeline to the outside world. As a result, Turkey no longer considers a federalized Iraq a threat to its security, as long as each federal unit maintains a measure of ethnic diversity.

Of course, Turkey remains opposed to an independent Kurdistan. But now its concern is more closely tied to regional politics than to the Kurdish issue. Turkey has no desire to serve as a strategic counterweight to Iran and believes that only a territorially intact Iraq can continue to play that role. Furthermore, Turkey is concerned about the possibility of civil war in Kurdistan between the two largest Kurdish factions.

But, unlike either Iran or Syria, Turkey genuinely wishes to see a strong and representative government in Baghdad. Thanks to EU pressures, Turkey's domestic Kurdish problem is well on the way to being resolved democratically, with most Kurdish leaders in Turkey expressing their commitment to Turkish unity.

For Turkey to consider military intervention in Kurdistan, EU member states would first have to renege on their commitment to negotiate Turkish accession. Equally dramatic would be any attempt by the Kurds to forcibly change the demographic balance of the multiethnic city of Kirkuk.

Turkey would prefer that Kirkuk, with its large Turkmen population, be given special status in the forthcoming draft Iraqi constitution. The United States also shows signs of understanding the importance of maintaining a multiethnic Kirkuk and is putting pressure on its Kurdish allies.

Turkish diplomacy has thus become a well-calibrated balancing act, moving closer to European positions in the Middle East, but eager to maintain close relations with the United States. If this approach succeeds, Europe's bridge to Asia may also become its bridge to America.

* Soli Ozel teaches in Bilgi University's Department of International Relations and is a columnist for the Turkish daily newspaper Sabah.

5. - Anadolu News Agency - "EU Aid to Turkey Grows to 2 Billion in 2007":

ANKARA / 1 November 2004

As Turkey begins membership negotiations with the European Union (EU), the amount of aid earmarked for Turkey will increase. Turkey will receive 300 million euros in aid from the EU in 2005.

The amount will increase to one billion euros in 2006 as adaptation projects accelerate. By 2007, the amount will have grown to two billion euros as adaptation efforts necessitate. Officials say the number of subcommittees will be increased once a negotiation date is received from the EU and the number of meetings held by these committees will increase as well. Officials also say that at the end of committee meetings, the number of foundations in Turkey related to the EU will increase, thereby increasing EU donations.

6. - Milliyet - "Plan To Intervene In Kirkuk In 8 Hours":

1 November 2004

Turkish General Staff, feeling uneasy over the plans of Kurdish groups to change demographical structure particularly in Kirkuk, prepared a plan to launch an operation against north of Iraq with 40 thousand soldiers.

It was reported that the United States did not want to leave oil regions in north of Iraq to the control of Kurdish groups, and to this end, it expended support to preparations of Ankara.

Demands of Iraqi Kurdistan Democrat Party (KDP) and Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) toward Kirkuk, where Turkmens were heavily populated, caused great uneasiness in Turkey. Statements of KDP leader Massoud Barzani that "Kirkuk is the heart of Kurds" further escalated the concerns.

Upon the developments, General Staff prepared a plan to intervene in the region with two army corps.