Zaman, Turkey
Oct 28 2006
Is Turkey’s EU Bid Becoming a Mirage?
SELCUK GULTASLI
10.28.2006 Saturday – ISTANBUL 14:55
The EU progress report on Turkey, to be released on Nov. 8, is just
as important as the one that paved the way for membership talks with
Ankara two years ago.
The report’s tone and the recommendation to be made on the Cyprus
issue will, to a great extent, affect the opinions of leaders who
will be attending the EU summit in December.
While an ordinary report was being expected on a country which has
already started membership talks, both Turkey and the European Union
agree that the document has become very important, amid rumors that
the negotiation process will be suspended, making many people wonder
how far the entanglement will go.
Or, as eloquently stated by an Arab writer, have the negotiations
become a mirage? And if they have, is it wise to vent anger only
against the European Union?
Turkey has started to believe that what it has done for the sake of
progress does not mean much to the European Union. If the already
ambiguous full membership goal is further diluted by the influential
EU leaders, who believe 2025 is Turkey’s most probable admission
date, it means it is time for those in Brussels to clarify their
minds over what they have offered to Turkey. Jose Manuel Barroso, the
president of the European Commission, whose remarks imply that Turkey
cannot be a full member in 15-20 years, is as irrational as France’s
bill on the so-called Armenian genocide. Just as the voices of those
who sought amendments to Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code have
become weaker since the French bill was adopted, Brussels is now
compelled to figure out how to encourage a candidate country to
embark upon further reforms for the sake of a very vague membership
perspective that will materialize in 15 years at the earliest.
And just as the anti-Turkey meeting between Paris, the capital of
secularism, and the Vatican, the capital of Christianity, is seen as
contradictory; it is also strange that the Justice and Development
Party (AKP) administration, the innovator of the Ankara criteria,
cannot comprehend what the reluctance in implementing the reforms
signifies. This is because for the AKP administration, the EU
membership process is like riding a bicycle; when the reforms come to
a halt, the pedals of the administration’s bicycle spin aimlessly.
In such an environment, the visionary politician turns into a
populist, while President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and People’s Republican
Party leader Deniz Baykal `confuse’ official messages with Ramadan
holiday messages, and issue `progressive’ warnings against
reactionary movements. Then, Washington-based think tanks express
support for the remarks of Baykal, who gives assurances that they
will replace the reactionary order with the enlightened revolution of
the secular republic. All of a sudden, these think tanks label Sezer
and Chief of Staff Yasar Buyukanit as the Turkish `Senate.’ Hence,
the generals, aware that their statements will be reflected on the
progress report, partake in politics with their uniforms on to show
that the EU membership goal, in fact, is nothing more than a mirage.
No matter how negative it might be, the Nov. 8 report and the
decision to be made at the December summit may present new dynamics
that could possibly prevent the process from turning into a mirage,
and make both Turkey and the EU question the weight of the whole
issue. We are getting closer to the days when both sides will need to
make such evaluations.

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 28 2006
An Open Letter to Orhan Pamuk
MEHMED NIYAZI
10.28.2006 Saturday – ISTANBUL 14:57
Dear Mr. Pamuk:
As you know, no other novelist’s writing style has been discussed as
much as yours.
Some tend to portray you as the author of best-selling novels that
are not widely read. Some argue it is only when your books are
published that you create a commotion. Some describe your command of
the Turkish language as weak, your linguistic style as stuttering and
your novel technique as poor. And some regard you as a top novelist.
As you know quite well, a novel as a work of art has its own limits;
however, these limits are not based on units; they focus on
subjectivity because they entail beauty, pleasure and harmony.
Otherwise, we cannot explain why a man with great interest in the
arts and culture like Cengiz Aytmatov, who boasts such works as `The
White Ship,’ `Jamilya,’ and `The Day Lasts More than a Hundred
Years,’ has not won a Nobel Prize. However, no matter what they say,
it is really pleasing to see you win the Nobel Prize as a citizen of
the Turkish Republic.
Apart from the debates about what distinguishes Nobel Prize winners
from the rest of us, your being awarded this very important prize
will keep you in the spotlight for at least a year. You will
gradually be relegated to the list of Nobel laureates because someone
else will be awarded the prize next year. But nowadays, your
utterances will have wide-ranging repercussions. Those recently
included on this list, which excludes the names of several literary
giants such as Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, Andre Malroux and Marcel
Proust, have no significance today. Hence, their words have lost
their impact. We sincerely wish that your name and works are never
forgotten.
We have no right to expect the boldness of Fedor Dostoyevsky from you
or any other novelist. Dostoyevsky was a pious Orthodox of pure
Russian origin. The young man fainted from excitement during his
nationalistic speech upon the death of Aleksandr Pushkin, which shook
the whole Russian nation. He was never afraid to speak his mind
because he believed he could resist international rejection and
condemnation with his outspoken nationalistic writings. As an
ordinary citizen, I do not expect you to defend our nation since
great nations have always had great enemies. I am well aware of the
fact that it is not easy to stand up against them, but expressing the
truth is the first prerequisite for being an intellectual.
You certainly know that our historians, journalists and others really
do not say anything when talking about the so-called `Armenian
genocide.’ I don’t know the circumstances under which you spoke on
this issue; but it is clearly obvious that you did not do the
necessary research. Of course, human beings are not flawless or
faultless. We all make mistakes. Stubbornly insisting on making
mistakes is tantamount to bigotry, whereas admitting a mistake and
regretting it represents wisdom. Bigotry definitely does not befit an
intellectual and world-renowned author. In fact, such an author does
not have the right to insist on bigotry.
Even if you make a superficial review, you will see that the Armenian
Diaspora did not even dare to launch an initiative during the British
Empire to make the so-called genocide allegations recognized because
there were millions of Muslims living in that country. Instead, they
opted for recognition of their allegations in the United States.
President Woodrow Wilson sent the U.S. chief of staff, along with a
crowded delegation, to our country to investigate the claims. The
delegation comprised mostly of sociologists, psychologists,
anthropologists and historians began its inquiry with Armenians who
migrated to Paris from Turkey.
When they asked an Armenian how the genocide was committed, they
received this response: `It was awful, I was slaughtered twice.’ They
sensed the populist dimension of the issue and then conducted an
investigation at Turkish sites where the genocide was allegedly
committed. After completing the entire investigation process, the
chief of staff submitted his famous report indicating no evidence of
genocide. When the Armenians, unsatisfied with this report, put
pressure for further investigation, Rear Admiral Marc L. Bristol was
ordered to substantiate the genocide. However, he also conceded that
no genocide was committed on Turkish territory. Istanbul was occupied
and those suspected of committing genocide were arrested. Ziya Gokalp
and those who shared the same fate were exiled to Malta. War crime
tribunals were set up in Istanbul and Malta to try the suspects. All
of them were acquitted. Sait Halim Pasha, the prime minister of the
time, who was notified of the tribunals while he was in Italy,
applied to the League of Nations and the International Court of
Justice in The Hague for a trial in an effort to clarify and conclude
the matter. Both replied that there was no need for a trial. It is
stated in the book, on which the Armenians base their allegations,
that we committed this heinous crime under instructions from the
Germans. In the mid-1920s, the British government notified the German
government that this was merely war propaganda. If you conduct basic
research on this matter, you will discover these facts, and most
probably many more. And if you so desire, I can send all of them to
you by e-mail.
Mr. Pamuk, your style as a novelist has come under intense
discussion, but you are an enlightened person anyway. An enlightened
person is someone who understands his responsibilities. These
responsibilities start from his family, then the society to which he
belongs and the human race at large. You are expressing this as a
fact, but this does not put you in a position to criticize the
promotion of Turkish nationalism because you should definitely
recognize the Turks as part of the human race. After all, past
unanimity among Christian countries in making all these decisions to
accuse Turkey must have relieved you of your doubts that a nation was
facing a Crusader mindset. It is time to speak up if you are also
upset by this mindset.
Yours truly,

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 28 2006
French Radio Halts Broadcasting in Turkish
By Ali Ihsan Aydin
Saturday, October 28, 2006
zaman.com
Radio France International (RFI) has cut Turkish broadcasts, which
have been on the air for 35 years, on grounds of financial
difficulties.
The radio station, which broadcasts in 19 languages, cut only its
broadcasts in Turkish.
Ugur Hukum, coordinator of Turkish broadcasts at the RFI, called the
decision an example of France’s imprudence and added, `This move
confirms that France has never viewed Turkey and Turkish as a
strategic partner.’
However, Hukum said the decision to halt Turkish broadcasts had
nothing to do with the Armenian genocide bill, adding that it had
been planned long before the bill was passed.
Dutch and Swedish radios had also cut their Turkish broadcasts.
The radio management announced the end of Turkish broadcasts was a
part of financially-triggered reform program, but they decided to
continue broadcasting in Lagos, Bulgarian, Albanian, Vietnamese and
Serbian.
The broadcasts in Turkish will be replaced with a website to inform
the public on Turkey-EU relations.
Hukum said they had suggested to the radio management a project
called `Paris’s Europe Agenda.’
The RFI had broadcast Turkish programs once a week since 1971.
RFI Turkish broadcasts were set up to inform Turkish emigrants to
France. The radio broadcasts in Parisian neighborhood and is
available worldwide on the Internet.
The RFI Turkish broadcasts lost much of their audience when Turkish
TV channels started broadcasting in Europe.

TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 28 2006
Azeri Foreign Minister Met with Delegation of German Marshal
Foundation

Source: Trend
Author: S.Agayeva

28.10.2006

Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with the delegation of
German Marshal Foundation, Trendreports with reference to the
statement of the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister informed the guests about the
situation in the region, interrelations with the neighboring
countries, Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the
ways of its settlement.
Mammadyarov answered to the questions of the guests regarding the
geo-policy of Azerbaijan, realization of global-economical projects,
religious situation, efforts of Azerbaijan to restore peace and
stability in the region.

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Oct 28 2006
Turkey set to bring dynamism to BSEC
Turkey is aiming at bringing a new dynamism to the organization of
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), during its six-month term
presidency starting Wednesday.
BSEC Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Murat Sungar told The New
Anatolian that Turkey will carry out a more active policy during its
Term Presidency and as a sign of that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
is expected to participate in the upcoming 15th meeting of the
Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Moscow next week.
“International developments are making the Black Sea region much more
important for almost all countries. The region, which lies at the
crossroads of Europe and Asia has big economic potentials. Turkey,
which led efforts to establish the BSEC 15 years ago, now aims at
bringing a new momentum to the organization,” Sungar said.
According to Sungar, despite various interesting projects being
raised by BSEC members in the past, most of them haven’t been
realized. “One of the projects that will gain more importance in the
coming period will be the so-called ring-road project, which aims to
link the countries of the region,” Sungar said.
Turkey is also planning to host a major meeting of the BSEC next
June, which will bring the heads of states of the member countries to
Istanbul. The event will mark the 15th anniversary of the BSEC.
On June 25, 1992, the heads of state and governments of 11 countries
signed in Istanbul a summit declaration and the Bosphorus Statement
giving birth to the BSEC.
The organization came into existence as a unique and promising model
of multilateral political and economic initiative aimed at fostering
interaction and harmony among the member states, as well as to ensure
peace, stability and prosperity encouraging friendly and
good-neighborly relations in the region.
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova,
Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine are the founding members of the
BSEC. Serbia and Montenegro also later joined.
The United States and Israel are among the 13 observer states.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Oct 28 2006
Linden: I don’t expect Cyprus crisis this year
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Rene van
der Linden said on Friday that he does not expect a major crisis in
Turkey’s European Union process late this year over the Cyprus
problem.
“Turkey has the right to become a member of the EU, and it has to be.
It is important to maintain the EU perspective,” Linden was quoted as
saying by the Anatolia news agency during his press conference at
Istanbul’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. The PACE head underlined that it was
not only in Turkey’s but also Europe’s interest to continue the
reform process during the EU accession talks. Stressing that the EU
membership process is a long road, Van der Linden argued that not
only Turkey but also the EU’s mentality will change during that time.
Van der Linden also cited his displeasure on the resolution passed by
the France’s lower house of Parliament to make questioning Armenian
genocide claims a crime. “I’m against this resolution, and I hope
that the Senate will not pass it,” he said.
The PACE head also underlined that Armenian genocide claims should be
left to historians and should never become a condition in Turkey’s EU
process.
The EU and Van der Linden’s Council of Europe (CoE) are separate
institutions.

Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
Oct 28 2006
FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS
By a scribe called Haji Mike
ENTER-EXIT recent elections in DiKO mean the affable but overloud
Cleanthous lost the presidential race to relative newbie Karoyian.
Most disturbing was the last minute `scare mongering’ on the part of
some Cleanthous backers that Karoyian was in fact… Armenian! Playing
the dangerous `race’ card in this case backfired like an A-Bomb on an
acid trip.
Karoyian represents a new breed of politician in Cyprus, and whether
I agree with him or not, it is always good to see change, in whatever
shape or form it comes. Added to this. he is a far more eloquent and
fluent speaker than Cleanthous, who at times reminded us of a raging
bull in a fine china shop.
One thing I would point out though, maybe Karoyian could speak a
little slower – at times his over-enthusiasm sounds like he is trying
to rush things through – and that leaves an air of mistrust.
Reminds me of the first person who sold me an insurance policy in
Cyprus back in 1993. He raced through a five page contract in one
minute `zirt-zart-zourt’ and then just said `oh by the way you sign
here!’ I spent the next hour or so with him analysing the whole thing
paragraph by paragraph!!!
JOHN IS A LEGEND AGAIN sophomore music releases are the trickiest of
things – especially when your first CD sells so much and wins
grammys. John Legend’s new release `Once Again’ has the confidence
and style of anything by Marvin Gaye during his most creative heyday.
Even the cover has that retro vibe to it.
But this is by no mean a backward looking old soul meets neo-soul
effort. It is simply John Legend being his expected talented and
moving self, which makes him one of the best living songwriters of
our times. The first single is a classic case in point. `Save Room’
has this ethereal quality to it. Initially I felt it had this Jim
Morrisonesque baritone quality to it – even making me wonder whether
Legend was actually covering an old Doors tune! Then when he hits
that bridge – wow! More info on the `Ledge’ and the new CD @
CRYING TIME: Each Thursday we wait with bated breath on the latest
revelations from various neo-Mcarthyite MPs and the parliamentary
committee that is allegedly investigating the so-called facts on
UNOPS funding and the referendum.
This week there was a sort of numbed silence – which applies just as
equally to our President. The media were more concerned with car tax
decreases than hunting down so-called `traitors’.
The issue, however, as predicted last week in `sublime…’, has taken
on a new dimension, with UNFICYP Chief of Mission Michael Moller
stating that the witch-hunt was `poisoning the atmosphere’. As few
politicians are speaking publicly about the need for a real inquiry
into referendum funding, I’d like to bring to their attention an
insight by Yiangos Mikkelides, the wise commentator on life in the
Banananation from last Sunday’s Politis newspaper. As one of the
founding members of the `Yes’ platform, Mikkeliddes confessed that
`we had to beg to raise the £700 needed to pay the money for renting
the Conference Centre for our mass rally’. And I thought these people
had all the bucks!
In addition, the mythical `Nathan’ report, which is nowhere to be
found, and believe me I have for over two years been searching high
and low for a widely available copy, is actually a complete farce.
What certain MPs have in their hands and some journalists is
presumably a first draft by Nathan Associates, who for whatever
reasons never finished the report.
Its real title is `Final Report Cyprus Bi-Communal Development
Program Evaluation’ submitted by Development Associates. And if no
one believes me just go to
, it’s public information and downloadable for free. Nowhere in this
document are any names listed regarding funding – which leads one to
presume that the `evidence’ referred to as `The Nathan Report’ is
highly dubious as a valid official source.
It’s `puzzling’ how MPs in the Republic of Cyprus, and elements in
the press acquired such documents without, it seems, official
endorsement from UNOPS. Perhaps what we need is transparency all
round on this issue. Maybe an investigation of the investigative
process itself would reveal a few surprises.
In a week when phone tapping was endorsed by the government, in this
light, I admit I have some serious doubts if this will not be abused
for other purposes. Trust has been violated, starting with the
President himself, who, let’s face it started off this bad atmosphere
in the first place.

TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 28 2006
No Grounds to Remove France from OSCE Minsk Group, French Ambassador
Assures

Source: Trend
Author: A.Ismayilova

28.10.2006

Trend’s exclusive interview with the Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan, Bernard due
Chaffout
Question: in the beginning of 2007 the Presidents of Azerbaijan and
France will pay mutual visits. What are your expectations from the
French President’s First Visit to Baku? What major issues will be
discussed during the visit?
Answer: For the time being it is too premature to speak about the
topics of mutual visits, which will be paid in January 2007, or more
probably in March. Taking into consideration that the heads of the
states themselves will select the topics for discussion, including
the actual issues of the world policy, it would be a bit incorrect to
answer this question on their behalf.
Nevertheless, I am sure that along with the bilateral
relationships, it will be very interesting for French President
Jacques Chirac to know President Ilham Aiyev’s ideas on the issues of
the world’s concern. Undoubtedly, the French President’s first visit
to Azerbaijan will give impetus to the bilateral cooperation and
friendship.
Question: France holds one of the leading positions in terms of
investments into Azerbaijan. Are you satisfied with the current
economic relationships between the two countries?
Answer: Indeed, economic relations between the two countries are on
an excellent level and in 2005 the turnover of goods reached EUR
500mln. There is still potential for further development of
relationships in some sphere, including food industry, production of
drinkable water, public services (automobile roads, parking, and
water), and electricity distribution network. French companies lead
worldwide and can share with Azerbaijan experience and knowledge.
Question: A French company, Total, came out with an initiative on the
construction of a new terminal in the Azerbaijani section of the
Caspian for the oil admission through the Baku-Ceyhan. Is the idea
still actual?
Answer: An idea by Total on the constriction of a new terminal in the
Azerbaijani section of the Caspian for the oil admission through the
Baku-Ceyhan is still actual.
Question: The adoption of a legislation penalizing for denial from
the so-called `Armenian genocide’ at the French Parliament caused
resonance worldwide, including Azerbaijan. They frequently sound
statements on the toughening of bilateral relationships, as well as
removal of France from the co-chairmanship at the OSCE Minsk Group.
What are your views on outlet from the situation?
Answer: The adoption of a legislation penalizing denial of the
`Armenian genocide’ at the French Parliament, does not mean that the
law will enact into law even today. The legislation should pass long
and by-stage procedure: first the Senate should include it into the
agenda, then the Senate is to adopt the law on identical text
(content), submitted by the Assembly.
Taking into consideration the friendly attitude of the Senate
Chairman, Christian Ponsle, towards Azerbaijan, I would doubt it. In
case there is any difference between the contents, which would be
voted at the National Assembly and the Senate, there will be hearings
to achieve a common text (content) and the law will have to get an
approval of the President, who can return the document to the
parliament for re-consideration. Unless the document passes the
barriers until April 2007, the proposal will be regarded as
inefficient. Moreover, the legislation will be considered at the
Constitution Board, which can regard the document as contradictory to
the principles of freedom of idea and speech specified by the
Constitution of France.
In any case it is not dealt with the government which comes out
against the law and considers the document to be inconsiderable and
inappropriate. It is dealt with the forwarding a proposal on the bill
at the parliament.
The government and the President are involved in the foreign policy
of France. The co-chairmanship of France at the OSCE Minsk Group is
not under disposal of the parliament, but the government, in
particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thus, there is no ground
to remove France from the composition of the Minsk Group, where for
many years it has taken neutral and objective position on the
peaceable resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. There is no
ground to discuss the co-chairmanship of France at the Minsk Group.
With respect to the bilateral relationships between two countries
I’d say that in this stage there is no ground to affect on the
approval of a bill at the National assembly on the first reading. The
Azerbaijani Minister for culture and Tourism has recently paid a very
successful visit to France on the occasion of the Azerbaijani Week,
held within the framework of the 60th anniversary of UNESCO. On the
other hand, we are establishing very fruitful and reliable
cooperation with the Ministry of Emergencies in the sphere of civil
defense.
Question: How could France, as a member of the European Union, assist
in Azerbaijan’s integration onto the region?
Answer: France as a member of the European Union can take an active
part in Azerbaijan’s further integration into the organization and is
prepared to do so, if Azerbaijan desires it. France can concretely
prepare Azerbaijan within specific cooperation frameworks in the
political, social and economic sectors, in the form of technical
assistance mission, training, exchange of experience and information
for upgrade of the state of Azerbaijan and bringing Baku closer to
the European experience, as well as future integration of the country
in to the European Union.
For instance, I guess France could be useful for Azerbaijan in
reforming the health system, upgrade of civil defense system,
management over crisis and natural calamities, organization of rules
for public tender markets, organization of public expenses training
of , high ranking state officers, protection of rights of women and
children, social protection system, etc. Thus, France’s experience
could bring real benefit in every sector of Azerbaijan

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 28 2006
PACE President Visits Turkish FM Abdullah Gul
By Zaman, Ankara
Friday, October 27, 2006
zaman.com
Rene van der Linden, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE), said he did not expect Turkey to have a
`train wreck’ in its EU accession process.
Noting that it was in the interest of both Turkey and Europe to
continue the reform process, Linden asked for Article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code to be amended and said, `Everyone in Turkey should
be able to speak their mind freely.’
Van der Linden met with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
Thursday. At a press conference where he made clear statements about
the recent developments and strongly criticized the French parliament
for passing a controversial bill criminalizing even questioning an
Armenian genocide, Linden remarked that he did not believe that the
Upper House would approve the bill, further noting: `This bill is a
mistake because while what we need here is reconciliation, it sets a
bad example in regard to the freedom of expression. This is a back
step from the freedom of expression.’
Remarking that Ankara must continue the reform process for full
membership, the PACE president said the following as regards to the
train crash metaphor: `I prefer not to use the term `train crash,’
because we have lately seen that some politicians invent terms to
ostracize the process. This is not advantageous for either Turkey or
Europe. Both parties should adopt a balanced approach. Sometimes I
see that Turkey is very frustrated.’
Also criticizing the veto system of the European Union, van der
Linden said, `There is no football team or music group where any
member can stop the entire process alone,’ adding that such a system
served only to slow down the decision-making process.
Linden also referred to the news that there was no one to welcome him
at the Istanbul airport when he arrived but the security guards: `It
stemmed from a misunderstanding,’ he said.

Sabah, Turkey
Oct 28 2006
Pamuk is not invited for the October 29
The president Sezer invited many authors, artists and scientists to
the reception of October 29; however, he did not invite Orhan Pamuk.
The President Ahmet Necdet Sezer showed his sensitivity about the
author Orhan Pamuk with a Nobel Prize who said: “30 thousand Kurds
and 1 million Armenian people were killed” in the reception of
October 29. Sezer invited many authors, artists and scientists to the
reception of October 29; however, he did not invite Orhan Pamuk.