TURKISH PREMIER ON FIGHT AGAINST PKK, TIES WITH USA, EU MEMBERSHIP
La Repubblica
Nov 5 2007
Italy
[Interview with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan by Marco
Ansaldo in Istanbul; date not given: "Erdogan: ‘Ready To Strike in
Iraq’" – first two paragraphs are La Repubblica introduction]
Istanbul – "At this juncture the Turkish people’s patience has come
to an end. Too many soldiers have died in the PKK’s [Kurdish Workers’
Party] attacks. We will now take every possible measure, including
that of a military operation outside our borders, to protect our
citizens. Fighting terrorism has become my government’s priority."
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has the traditional warm handshake typical of a
political leader accustomed to meeting with hundreds of people. Even
in these difficult times he looks serene and calm as ever, with a
kind of silent, interior strength that keeps him going in times of
tension. But this time his words, which he usually weighs up with
great care, contained specific messages. The times demand it. This,
because the Turkish prime minister will be in the United States today,
to discuss with George W. Bush whether or not to order his 100,000
troops waiting at the border, to cross into Iraq. Tomorrow evening,
on the other hand, Erdogan will be arriving in Italy, and while there
he will be explaining his decisions. Before leaving from Istanbul bound
for Washington and for Rome, the Ankara government leader granted La
Repubblica this interview – an interview in which he addresses not
only the Kurdish problem, but also the issue of the Armenian genocide,
the ensuing spat with the United States, and the difficulties attendant
upon membership of Europe. Having gotten through the introduction in
fairly fluent English – "How are you?
Fine, thanks!" – his answers came in rapid Turkish.
"Fighting PKK has become our priority"
[Ansaldo] Prime Minister, the situation in North Iraq is getting more
and more serious by the day. How do you see things panning out over
the next few hours?
[Erdogan] I see that the PKK terrorist organization is continuing to
buy arms, to boost its finances with illegal activities, to train its
militants, and to conduct propaganda via the radio and on television.
But above all, it is perpetrating acts of terrorism against the
civilian population and the security forces, infiltrating across
the border.
[Ansaldo] In a conference on Iraq that recently came to an end here
in Istanbul, the Baghdad government joined the US Government in vowing
to wipe out the PKK’s camps. Is that enough for you?
[Erdogan] We have voiced our concern on more than one occasion both
to them and to the multinational force responsible for security in
Iraq. But so far no concrete steps have been taken. Turkey supports
Iraq’s territorial inviolability and it wants to see its people’s
difficulties resolved. But the terrorist threat coming from there is
an important problem in our relations.
[Ansaldo] And so?
[Erdogan] And so it is a problem that must be eliminated. Iraq has
an obligation to prevent these terrorist attacks. Many treaties
confirm that.
[Ansaldo] So do you consider it a possibility that your country may
intervene militarily across the border?
[Erdogan] The Turkish people’s patience has come to an end, on account
of the losses suffered. In the past few weeks alone the PKK terrorists
have killed more than 40 citizens and troops. This state of affairs
fuels alarm. Fighting the terrorist organization that has caused the
deaths of more than 35,000 people over the past 23 years has become
our government’s priority.
[Ansaldo] And what are you prepared to do?
[Erdogan] We will take every possible measure, like any country that
is responsible for protecting its citizens. Our Parliament has given
my government a mandate with a majority of 90 per cent of the votes,
calling on it to adopt all necessary measures including that of an
operation outside our borders. And while the government may very
well incline in that direction, our sincere hope is that Iraq will
fulfil its responsibilities as soon as possible and eliminate the
terrorist threat.
Armenian bill and US ties
[Ansaldo] The crisis began with a recent draft resolution on the
Armenian genocide approved in the United States. To what extent does
that jeopardize your ties with Washington?
[Erdogan] We were irritated over the decision adopted by the US
Congress’s Foreign Affairs Committee. The draft not only jeopardizes
our ties with a friend and ally, but it is counterproductive for our
efforts to normalize the situation between the Turks and the Armenians.
[Ansaldo] And what is your position in that regard?
[Erdogan] As people know, the nature of events in 1915 is still
controversial. Armenian circles and their supporters claim that the
deportation law which the Ottoman government passed at the time was a
deliberate act designed to wipe out all Armenians. On the other hand,
many well-known Turkish, US, and European scholars argue that none
of that can be characterized as genocide, but rather as a wartime
measure adopted for security reasons.
[Ansaldo] Be that as it may, do you not think that this problem can
finally provide Turkey with an opportunity to face its past history?
[Erdogan] But we are well aware of the fact that there are different
views in the two countries, regarding the accounts on those events.
Moreover, we know just to what extent both the Armenians and the
Turks are highly sensitive on this issue. That is why Turkey has
been making an effort for years now, to try to ensure that such a
controversial period in history should be assessed by historians
rather than by parliaments.
[Ansaldo] What do you propose?
[Erdogan] Back in 2005 I suggested to the Armenian head of state
that we examine our common history by getting Turkish and Armenian
historians to study the undisputed archive documents, and that,
if necessary, they be joined by historians also from other countries.
But our offer is still on the table. Armenia has not given us an
affirmative response yet. And thus the US committee’s decision was
unfortunate. We expect good sense to prevail and the draft now not
to be examined by Congress.
EU membership
[Ansaldo] You are coming to Italy at a time when relations between
Turkey and Europe are going through a very sensitive phase. Your
government has made quite a big effort over the past five years
in connection with your membership of the EU, and in the field of
reforms. Will all of that be enough to put paid to Europe’s mistrust?
[Erdogan] As in all long trips, it can happen now and again that we
may encounter difficult moments on the path leading to membership. We
are determined to pursue our goal, to join as fully paid-up members.
We have worked hard over the past five years, and we have achieved
more in that time than in the previous 50 years.
[Ansaldo] But to what extent do the Turkish people still believe in
a positive response from Europe to your application to join the Union?
[Erdogan] Naturally, the discouraging announcements that our Community
partners sometimes make have fuelled people’s frustration; although
it is natural that not everyone at this stage can be convinced of
the many benefits that Turkish membership will bring to the European
Union. What I say to the more reluctant members is this: Keep an open
mind. It takes a healthy dose of courage and a conscious effort to
shake off what is often gut-level prejudice. But both of us, both
Turkey and Europe, deserve more than this.
[Ansaldo] And do you, personally, feel that you get along better with
Romano Prodi or with Silvio Berlusconi?
[Erdogan] Italy is one of our great supporters in the European
process. In the course of my visit to Rome we will impart a fresh
boost to a relationship that is already solid. My personal relations
are excellent both with the previous prime minister and with the
current one.
[Ansaldo] But is the European process not also a question of timing,
for Ankara?
[Erdogan] Turkish membership is part of the Union’s global vision.
The important thing is whether both of us, both Europe and Turkey,
want to seize the opportunity being offered us to forge a common
destiny, proof that an alliance of civilizations is feasible.
[Ansaldo] Would it be acceptable for you to wait until 2015 or 2020,
or as some people have recently suggested, until 2025 or 2030 in
order to achieve full membership?
[Erdogan] We have to maintain the momentum of this opportunity and to
continue to build beyond our partnership. The quality of our membership
is as important as the length of the path necessary to achieve full
membership. There is still a great deal to be done, and Turkey is
going to have to face some difficult challenges. But it is a challenge
also for Europe’s governments. We should not forget that the ongoing
support of Turkish grassroots opinion is a crucial factor. Europe’s
leaders should issue messages of encouragement in order to keep up
and to impart renewed vigour to the people’s support. Of course,
that does not mean that we are indifferent to the passage of time.
[Ansaldo] Yet do you not get the feeling sometimes that Turkey is
isolated, busy as it is on two fronts: the PKK and Armenian front, but
also the European front, and now even the clash with the United States?
[Erdogan] No, I see no reason for that. We have been a member of NATO
since 1952, we are strategic partners with the United States, and we
are a candidate country negotiating full membership of Europe. We are a
democratic, pluralistic country with a nonconfessional political system
and a free and vigorous market. Considering the greater importance
of international solidarity against terrorism since 11 September,
Turkey neither is nor should it be left in the lurch in its battle
against the PKK. This, because only a firm commitment against the
pestilence of terrorism can ensure its total defeat.