HISTORICAL WARNINGS FROM TUSIAD
By Turhan Bozkurt, Abdulhamit Yildiz, Istanbul
Zaman, Turkey
Sept 30 2006
Sabanci: While negotiations continue, there are concerns about
compliance in some industries. They are the minority, but their voices
are louder.
Kaslowski: The EU agenda shouldn’t change. While we are lobbying,
there should be no blunders inside. We want stability.
Omer Sabanci, president of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen
Association (TUSIAD), said that after negotiations began with
the European Union, Turkey’s position had become attractive to
international markets for investment. Indicating that in order for
the trend toward investment and employment to continue, determination
toward EU accession should not be compromised, Sabanci said. "With
the situation like this, we have no choice but to remain cool-headed
and reasonable regarding short-term stalemates in the EU process.
Let’s stop tripping over ourselves." Referring to Article 301 of
the Turkish Penal Code as "the most striking example of stalemate,"
Sabanci said: "The new formulation of Article 301 was aimed at
making a breakthrough in the area of freedom of speech, but it didn’t
happen. Cases of speech violations and the tableau created by those
who want to use these cases as a stage for political shows have
once again given material amenable to exploitation into the hands of
anti-Turkish lobbies."
Sabanci continued, "Has the EU topic been abandoned to its own
destiny? We want to know the truth." According to him, it was not
right for the government to leave the EU agenda this empty during
such a time.
Sabanci explained why some want to use warnings from Brussels in a
different way: "While negotiations are continuing with the European
Union on the one hand, a fear of compliance can be seen in some
places. Negative dialectics and steps coming from the EU front and
aimed at short-range internal political gains lead to powerful waves
of reaction. This environment gives courage to EU opponents and,
although they are in the minority, it makes their voices louder."
Sabanci gave important messages to the meeting on "the Turkish
Economy and EU Process," organized by the Silivri Industrialists and
Businessmen Association. Sabanci wants all articles of the Turkish
Penal Law related to freedom of speech, particularly Article 301, to be
developed in accordance with the goal of democratization. He pointed
out, "We have to immediately eliminate our image as a democratically
immature country, an image I believe we don’t deserve."
Great responsibilities fell to the opposition as well as to the
administration to remove obstacles in front of individual rights and
freedoms, Sabanci said, alluding to the Republican Peoples Party.
"The opposition should abandon political maneuvers it has undertaken
for the sake of weakening the government. We follow with dismay the
statements made by a social democrat party regarding changing Article
301. In our country where individual and regional income distributions
are significantly unbalanced, where there are still many deficiencies
in the area of democracy, and where the fight against poverty and
social development is not advancing at a desirable speed, it is the
right of all of us to expect a political approach to Western standards
from a social democrat party."
We Fought Tooth and Nail to get to the Point of Beginning Negotiations
Omer Sabanci said that Turkey would be better able to explain
to the world that, although Turkey has fulfilled its membership
criteria fully, the European Union has used a double-standard on some
subjects. However, emphasizing those current discussions have led to
different concerns, the TUSIAD president said: "Has the subject of
the European Union been abandoned to its own destiny? We want to know
the truth. Our government doesn’t want to accept that not much has
been done on the EU subject during this period. It doesn’t do much of
anything in the name of informing the public." Indicating that Turkey
was passing through a period in which the economy had made certain
improvements and in which stability was predominant, he indicated that
the same thing could be said for relations with the European Union.
Sabanci stated, "We have fought tooth and nail to get to the point of
beginning negotiations; there’s no turning back." Mentioning debates
on elections, he pointed out that elections are the biggest risk for
the economy. "If an election year economy is implemented, balanced
budgets that have successfully continued during recent years will
be destroyed and the cost will be very heavy for the economy." He
underscored that careless approaches to the economy’s supply side must
be ended. Indicating that the struggle against the informal economy was
inadequate, Sabanci summarized, "Shouldn’t a government that claims
at every opportunity to support entrepreneurs show favoritism toward
unfair competition? Isn’t it necessary to more effectively monitor
individuals and companies that work under the table as opposed to
large and small, domestic and foreign investors who operate with
respect toward the laws?"
International President of TUSIAD Aldo Kaslowski said: "There should
be no blunders inside while we’re lobbying. The EU agenda shouldn’t
change. We want stability. There has been prosperity for the last
four years; EU membership will come, also. Let’s not fear individual
rights. This is not supporting terror."
Discussions about Turkey’s failure to complete its homework on the road
to EU membership and an increase in attempts to interrupt stability
have upset the business world.
Kaslowski, international president of ITUSIAD or "the Bosses’ club,"
indicated that 20 years worth of reforms had been made during the past
four years. He emphasized that Turkey needed to attain EU standards
without changing its agenda. Referring to statements and discussions
that gave the European Union secondary importance, Kaslowski said,
"We are holding promotional activities in Europe.
However, blunders are made from the inside, and the country doesn’t
have this luxury. In situations like this, the hands of those in the
European Union supporting Turkey are weakened."
In addition, Kaslowski gave Zaman many important views on subjects
ranging from presidential elections to the government’s EU performance
and from political and economic stability to Article 301.
Qualifying the European Union as "our vital goal," Kaslowski indicated
that some topics taking prominence in recent days could prevent this
goal from being attained. He reiterated that Turkey had not reached its
EU goal for 37 years due to deviating from the agenda. Explaining that
discussions at this time of who was going to enter the Cankaya Kiosk
not only hurt the government, but all institutions, Kaslowski said:
"Why debate this issue so early on?
When the time comes, the election will be held anyway. We believe
the most appropriate person will be elected. Speculation wears down
those involved and our people."
Underscoring reforms should continue for the sake of the Turkish
nation, not out of consideration for the European Union, Kaslowski
emphasized that stability should not be interrupted. He summarized the
reasons as follows: "Forget about three or five year plans; businessmen
previously had difficulty even making daily decisions. We couldn’t
see in front of our noses. The stability we’ve seen for the last four
years has brought prosperity. While the EU economy was stagnant,
Turkey grew continuously. Why don’t we continue? What’s the reason
for changing the agenda? Is it the head cover? Is this our goal? Or
is it the European Union and the economy? There are weak leaders at
the head of countries that don’t appear in the league of developed
countries. We need courageous action. We have been caught up by a
beneficial wind; let’s not abandon it."
Stating that TUSIAD had formed a delegation under the chairmanship
of Umit Boyner for promotion of the country, Kaslowski indicated that
they would organize publicity activities in Brussels, Paris and Berlin
October 3-5. Pointing out the importance of cultural activities,
Kaslowski stated, "While we are making such good programs, a wrong
step is taken, and all of our work goes for nothing." Saying that in
the past four or five years wonderful results that were previously
unseen had been realized by working hand-in-hand, Kaslowski continued:
"We have not made any kind of bend; we’re continuing. We want to
continue without waiting. These pauses make us uncomfortable. If we
continue on the right path and don’t give the opposition ammunition,
we will be right about some sticky issues." Pointing out that
the steps Turkey took on Cyprus have left the Greeks in a bind,
the TUSIAD international president said that with a similar attack,
the Armenian border could be opened.
Kaslowski remarked that in this way the trump cards could be taken from
the hands of the Armenian Diaspora. According to him, the neighbors
have an effect on the country’s image being tarnished outside. "We have
to improve our relations with them a little. Let’s open the doors and
begin a dialogue with Armenia. Anyway, everything they eat comes from
us. From now there’s no wanting something like land. Europe wouldn’t
even want it, so a little courage is needed," he said. Regarding
the Cyprus issue, he said the European Union regretted accepting
the Greek side as a member. Kaslowski made the following evaluation:
"Cyprus hasn’t been resolved for this many years; will it be resolved
today? Yes, it should be resolved. Let me explain. We can say, ‘We’ll
resolve it while being a member, and if the embargo is lifted, the
ports can open.’ We have to be this strong. We can’t just beg. You put
this on the scales and say, ‘I’m giving this, so you give this.’ From
now on, things will be like this."
In the Social Council, the Private Sector is just a Showpiece
Noting that social and economic consensus was formed in countries
that previously entered the European Union, Kaslowski continued:
"In environments where this is not the case, the regime’s name is
different. We don’t want that." He said that there were between
100-200 councils in European countries, depending on their size. He
continued: "Ninety percent are civil and ten percent are public. With
us, however, 99 percent are public and one percent is TUSIAD. And
that is participating at the invitation of the Turkish Chambers and
Stock Exchanges Union. This shouldn’t be. If voices don’t come from
all industries, things won’t work." Pointing out that politicians were
afraid such groups would weaken their hands, Kaslowski added: "Actually
the strength of non-governmental organizations strengthens the hands
of the government. Civil groups put into words what politicians fail
to say, thus supporting them." Pointing out that it was necessary for
different segments of society to make their voices heard, Kaslowski
said: "However, everyone can’t make his voice heard.
TUSIAD is successful in this due to its powerful structure and it
influences public opinion. If only there were 100 TUSIADs; then Turkey
would be at a very different point."
Voluntary "EU" Ambassador
Aldo Kaslowski is the president and founder of the Organic Companies
Group, the most important producer of high-tech chemical material
in Turkey and our region. The most important areas of activity for
the Organic Companies Group are domestic and foreign production,
distribution, research and development of industrial products, such as
polymer, silicone, pigment, leather, textiles, paint, tape, detergent,
cosmetics, chemicals, and medicine. Acting as vice-president of the
Supreme Advisory Board of TUSIAD, Kaslowski is a member of the board of
directors of EU’s Sacepo (EU Patent Organization) based in Munich. He
was also on the board of the Sabanci Holding Inc., a prominent holding
in Turkey’s industrial and financial fields. In addition, he was
also active in the headquarters of the Italian Chamber of Commerce
in Istanbul as founder of the Turkish branch of the Young President
Organization (YPO) and in Europe and Africa as vice-president of the
organization. Kaslowski was on active duty in Turkey’s EU Customs
Union and the EU membership process in Helsinki and Copenhagen. In
addition to being recognized for his contribution to Turkey’s EU
journey, his outspokenness, and his convictions, Kaslowski is also
known as an effective "Volunteer Ambassador to Europe."
The Government Raced Forward for Reforms
Indicating that there was some truth in statements from European MPs
regarding the slowdown of Turkish reforms, Kaslowski said: "There
should be absolutely no slowdown. The government raced forward to
make reforms and partially implement them. Now we don’t make any sense
out of pausing along the way. The only reason could be the proximity
of elections." He stated that the European Union was not a card that
would bring a premium to politicians before the elections.
He added that Turkey didn’t have that luxury, because as reforms that
have been awaited for years will be delayed, the economy will not be
straightened out either. The reforms were not only going to broaden
rights and freedoms, at the same time they would increase the level of
prosperity parallel to developing the economy. According to Kaslowski,
the government that achieves this will gain no matter what.
301 is Still in Force; I can be tried, too
Wanting to cooperate with the European Union in fighting terror,
Kaslowski said: "It’s not known where and when terror will
occur. To resolve it we definitely need the support of Western
countries." He stated that in spite of steps taken, personal freedoms
were insufficient. According to this, opening the way to individual
rights and freedom of thought didn’t mean supporting terror. Kaslowski
remarked: "We have been using the current system for half a century.
If this method were correct, the problem should have been solved. It
means there’s something missing." Pointing out that in spite of
journalist Elif Shafak’s acquittal, Article 301 was still in effect,
the TUSIAD international president said: "Elif Shafak went but
another can come or I can go because of what I’m saying now. If we
don’t correct this, they’ll hit us over the head. It’s necessary to
immediately straighten out these trouble spots one by one."
From: Baghdasarian