Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 11 2005

Turkish FM: We’ll Extend the Use Period of Incirlik
Kemal Balcý
The New Anatolian / Ankara

‘I went to the United Arab Emirates last week. The UAE is in an
incredible economic dynamo. If you look at the map you’ll see two
dynamic countries in the region, one is Turkey and the other is the
UAE’

‘Turkish-Greek cooperation moves forward with each passing day. There
have been encouraging decisions. Very important agreements were
signed. Trade between our two nations is developing. There is
friendship between our leaders, between our premier and his Greek
counterpart Karamanlis’

Speaking to The New Anatolian last week, Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul spoke on recent foreign policy developments and made many
interesting observations. Addressing the controversial issue of U.S.
requests to make greater used of Incirlik Airbase, Gul said that the
permission for U.S. use will be extended in June. The government
doesn’t need to go to Parliament to extend this use for humanitarian
purposes, such as aid for Iraq, he said. `Even if the decision comes
to Parliament, there won’t be any problem extending it,’ he added.

Answering TNA’s questions, Gul discussed Turkish-Greek relations,
developments with Armenia, closer ties with Arab countries, and this
week’s upcoming visit of the Greek foreign minister.

TNA: What will you be talking about with your Greek counterpart?

GUL: We’ll have talks in line with our mutual goodwill. The
friendship between our countries benefits us and the whole region. We
do have many problems. But we’re trying to solve them through mutual
understanding and for mutual benefit. Along these lines, we’re having
meetings and talks. I paid a visit to Greece last year. I’ve been
inviting the Greek foreign minister to visit for a while now. Next
week he’ll come to visit us. His visit will be an important event,
just as our visits are important for Greece. In truth, our
cooperation moves forward with each passing day. There have been
encouraging decisions to increase the trust. Very important
agreements were signed. Trade between our two nations is developing,
our economies are developing. There is friendship between the
leaders, between our premier and his Greek counterpart Karamanlis. As
you know we’re both conservative parties. We invited Costas
Karamanlis before. He came and made a speech to our party congress.
He then became Greek prime minister. The foundation for friendship
had been laid. We are together in Europe’s conservative union the
European People’s Party (EPP). Karamanlis contributed to our
membership in the EPP. His visit will be very successful and we will
discuss many subjects openly. This visit will be provide an
opportunity to improve relations.

TNA: We’ve been holding many talks to improve the relations at a
lower level. Does this visit means that the contacts have matured?

GUL: There were contacts not only at a lower level but also the upper
level. The undersecretaries have been contacting each other for a
long time. They are all goodwill contacts to solve the problems
between both countries and to protect mutual benefits and interests.
I’m hoping that these will yield positive results. We will have to be
patient about these things.

TNA: In recent days, Turkish-U.S relations have gone through a tense
period, especially over the use of Incirlik Airbase. As far as I know
the permission for use will end on June 23. Is the government
planning to extend the permission? And what about expanding the scope
of use? Are demands to use other bases also being made? How is the
government approaching this?

GUL: It is a decision of our government to allow the use of Incirlik
for humanitarian aid purposes. This also falls under a UN Security
Council resolution. It binds all countries that are members of the
UN. It’s related to the aid to Iraq and Afghanistan. Since Turkey
borders Iraq, we’re helping other countries that are helping Iraq. We
can also benefit from other countries’ help if a resolution of the UN
is concerned.

So when the time comes we’ll extend the term for use of Incirlik.
There’s no need to worry. Even if there is a need for a Parliament
decision, Parliament will extend the permission. Not all of the
stones in the Iraq mosaic are in its place. Everybody has to support
this period. There is international legality on this, so there’s no
need for hesitation. We have relations with the U.S. as allies. We
have relations and expectations as allies can have expectations from
each other. We will sit down and talk everything over. In the end,
there will be something done or not.

Incirlik is being used for humanitarian aid purposes for Iraq and
Afghanistan at the moment. This is an open implementation. There is
no secrecy there. There are requests from the U.S. to place this use
in a regular structure. We’re looking into this. We will also explain
the reasons for this to the Turkish public.

TNA: Has the use of other bases been mentioned?

GUL: Nothing else has been mentioned. Clearly the use of Incirlik
will be within the knowledge of the Turkish state. Incirlik is a base
on our soil. The Turkish Armed Forces (TCK) will be informed of all
developments.

TNA: Is the use without the knowledge of the Turkish commanders
possible? How is the government approaching this?

GUL: No that won’t happen. There won’t be any developments without
our knowledge.

TNA:You’ve been visiting surrounding countries recently. If you look
from there, how do you see Arab-Turkish relations? How will these
close relations with Arab countries affect Turkish-U.S. relations?

GUL: Every country has different foreign relations and interests. No
country will tie its relations to only one country. Especially for an
important country for the region such as Turkey, multifaceted
relations are very normal. We’re trying to advance our relations with
the European Union; on the other hand, we’re also trying to
strengthen our relations with our allies including the U.S. We also
have relations with our Muslim neighbors, Russia and other nations. I
visited Russia, China, Japan, Korea and other important nations in
Asia. We signed agreements with each country. I went to the United
Arab Emirates last week. We have economic relations with them as
well. The UAE is in an incredible economic dynamo. If you look at the
map you’ll see two dynamic countries in the region, one is Turkey and
the other is the UAE.

TNA: What does this dynamism mean?

GUL: There’s dynamism in the economy. They have tremendous funds at
their disposal. They have funds amounting to $500 billion. These
funds were directed to many parts of the world for various reasons.
They are looking for new channels to direct these funds. They have
new moves that will be examples to the rest of the world. Dubai
doesn’t have a single drop of oil but they had 6 millions visitors in
the last year. Dubai is a free trade zone, and the seaport in Dubai
is one of the biggest trade centers in the world, including the U.S.
and Singapore. It’s the biggest port in the world. The biggest firms
of the world are based there. They don’t have oil but they have the
sand and sea. But their trade expertise came to such a point that if
you look at Shanghai or Singapore they seem dated.

TNA: Are there Turkish firms in Dubai?

GUL: Of course. There are very successful Turkish firms in the free
trade zone. Big Turkish firms have big investments there. They’re
involved in big projects. I ‘m going to Algeria soon [note: Gul flew
there on Saturday night]. Algeria is a very important country in the
regional bloc MAGRIP. They have a $60 billion budget surplus. There’s
a friendship between Turkish and Algerian leaders.

TNA: What are the recent development in Armenian relations? Are more
flights or opening the borders possible? Or, if the Armenians’
occupation of Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh continues, will relations
stay as they are?

GUL: Relations between Armenia and Turkeys are developing. There are
flights and there is an increasing demand. Recently, the Yerevan
Symphony orchestra was invited to play here. They came and gave a
concert in Turkey. Parliamentarians from both sides are coming and
going as well. They are involved in efforts to develop relations and
trying to bring the region into a place where peace can be
established. This area won’t be left neglected for long. I’m talking
about Turkish, Armenia and Azeri relations. We have to proceed with
courage. Certainly we need a long stretch of time and more efforts.
We’re looking at things from the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). I hope we will solve our problems.

Source: The New Anatolian, 11 April 2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 11 2005

Turkish Parliament to Debate Armenian Claims

The claims of a so-called Armenians genocide will be debated by the
Parliament on Wednesday, declared Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul this weekend.

Gul also dropped some hints of a new `Turkish road mad’ to cope with
the worldwide campaign of the Armenians against Turkey, but did not
provide any details.

Admitting that Turkey’s efforts against that Armenian campaign were
late in coming, Gul said that he would have more to say about the
`new road map’ in his speech Wednesday to Parliament.

`Turkey could have been more active in the past in coping with this
campaign,’ he told reporters on his plane on Saturday en route to
Algeria. `We should make some extraordinary efforts to deal with it.
The Foreign Ministry is working on that.’

Asked about the possibility of establishing a commission within the
United Nations to deal with the Armenian problem, Gul underlined the
political character of the UN. `The UN is a political institution,
not a judicial one,’ he said. `In the UN, people raise their hands to
vote in accordance with their political aims.’

Speaking on Turkish-Greek relations after the surprise declaration of
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc last week suggesting an end to
Turkey’s `Casus Belli’ threat on the Aegean problems, Foreign
Minister Gul said that both Ankara and Athens are continuing their
efforts to consolidate peace.

`Both Turkey and Greece are countries that apply their will to
solving problems through peaceful means,’ he said.

Arinc’s surprise statement had drawn a declaration by Gul last week
that Turkey’s policy on the Aegean problems had not changed.

Meetings with Algerian officials

Foreign Minister Gul met with Algerian officials during his two-day
visit to this country, including Housing Minister Muhammed Nadir
Hamimid, Energy Minister Shekib Halil and Culture Minister Halide
Tumi. He was also received by Algerian Senate Speaker Abdulkadir
Bensalah.

Asked by journalists about Turkish-Algerian relations, Gul said that
Turkey could influence Algeria in some areas. Underlining that the
Algerian officials had praised Ankara’s reforms on democratization
and human rights, Gul explained, `Arab intellectuals and politicians
are watching very closely the progress within Turkey and praising
it.’ He added that Turkey and Algeria could benefit mutually from
each others’ experiences.

Source: The New Anatolian, 11 April 2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Kathimerini, Greece
April 11 2005

A gallery of many dimensions
Kalfayan Fine Arts specializes in a broad gamut from the
contemporary to the antique

A post-Byzantine icon of St George from the 17th century. (Photos
courtesy of Kalfayan Galleries.)
By Alexandra Koroxenidis – Kathimerini English Edition

A playful exhibition, well timed to welcome spring, brings humor to
the current art scene through the work of three artists: Constantinos
Kakanias, Tassos Pavlopoulos and Yiannis Pavlidis. Held at the
Kalfayan Gallery here in Athens, «Encounters,» the title of the
exhibition, shows just one aspect of the kind of art represented by
this multidimensional gallery.

At the end of the week, an entirely different exhibition opens at the
Kalfayan Gallery in Thessaloniki. Organized to reflect the Easter
spirit, the exhibition puts on view Greek post-Byzantine icons, a
field in which the Kalfayan has specialized for decades now.

Dealing in a broad gamut that stretches from contemporary artworks
through old masters, antiques and religious icons is what gives
Kalfayan Fine Arts a distinctive position in the Greek gallery scene.
Theirs is an eclectic approach that shows an appreciation for all
periods in art but is also based on connoisseurship.

Of Armenian descent, brothers Roupen and Arsen Kalfayan were born
into a family of antique and art collectors that goes back a couple
of generations. Their mother, an archaeologist, opened an antique
shop in Thessaloniki in the mid-’80s, and the Kalfayans, who have the
official and limited permission to deal in antiquities and icons
(permission having been granted by the Greek Ministry of Culture),
were among the founding members of the antique fair exhibition in
Athens.

In London at the time, Roupen was studying prehistoric archaeology of
the Middle East and Islamic archaeology while Arsen was specializing
in paper conservation. Shortly after their return to Thessaloniki
they opened a contemporary art space (in 1995), and four years later
began their operation here in Athens. Dealing both in the primary and
secondary markets, they have the exclusive representation of
contemporary artists such as Tassos Pavlopoulos, Lambros Psirrakis
and more recently, Marios Spiliopoulos. Other collaborators include
Edouardos Sakayan, Constantinos Kakanias and Miltos Manetas.

Besides exhibits on contemporary artists, the Kalfayans have
established an annual exhibition on Greek modern art. Works by
artists such as Alexis Akrithakis, Thanassis Tsingos, Yiannis
Spyropoulos, Yiannis Moralis and Nikos Kessanlis were part of this
year’s exhibition. «Through these exhibitions we would like to show
the continuity between modern and contemporary art and connect what
is happening now with the works of the recent past,» Roupen Kalfayan
explains.

Also set on an annual basis is the exhibit on post-Byzantine icons.
«We really think that icons are undervalued in the art market. It is
amazing what one can buy with the same amount that one would spend on
a contemporary artwork,» Roupen comments. The tight strictures and
licensing requirements placed on owning and marketing icons is the
main reason that discourages dealers from buying and selling
religious icons.

Drawing on their resources and motivated by an interest in all
periods in art, the Kalfayans have also dealt in Greek late 19th and
early 20th century masters (such as Constantinos Volanakis and
Nikolaos Gyzis), a field in which international auctioneers have
shown an interest in recent years (the annual Greek sales at
Sotheby’s and Bonham’s are an example).

The auctions, which began as a response to a demand that a mostly
Greek public living abroad have for these works, have created further
demand and stimulated competition in the field. «Today auction houses
have ended up selling more expensively than gallerists. In recent
years auction houses have become something like retail outlets, which
is not what they were in the past, when their role was to sell to the
dealers and not straight to the collectors. But auctions are now very
much in fashion so everybody runs to them. There is always the
incentive that a work might sell at a record price, but the problem
is that the percentage of the auction house’s commission is really
very high,» says Roupen. «There is also the problem that the
guarantee of authenticity that an auction house provides usually
expires after five years, which is not the case when a gallerist
sells to his client. Also with the auction houses, if some kind of
question comes up concerning the authenticity of the work, the
customer has to prove it himself. Things are much more flexible and
negotiable between professional gallerists and their customers. The
relationship is more personal, more customized,» Arsen Kalfayan
explains.

The growing competition in the art market is one of the many signs of
how art is increasingly becoming a commodity. «Most people do not
approach art for the sheer pleasure of art but are concerned with
profit. In the past, collectors were more of the connoisseur type,»
says Roupen. «Nowadays, there are many patrons of the arts, but
financial figures are very much something in their mind,» adds Arsen.

As far as the Greek market is concerned, the Kalfayans believes that
it is consistently expanding as new collectors are emerging and
galleries becoming more professional. But they are also skeptical
about the efficacy of the attempts – notably last year’s Greek
representation at Madrid’s Arco fair – that have been made toward
giving Greek art international exposure. Both Roupen and Arsen
Kalfayan will agree that most of these moves are more about politics
and lobbying, about advancing the interests of a clique. «With all
that money having been spent at the Arco, we should really expect
better results, like seeing more Greek artists being represented
abroad. Moreover, if the Arco was such a success for the Greek
galleries, I wonder, why is it that no Greek gallery participated in
this year’s event?» asks Arsen.

Strangely for a gallerist, the Kalfayan is also against the state
subsidizing Art Athina, the annual Greek art fair. «Why should the
Greek state keep spending money in order to support a commercial
event from which galleries profit? Everybody raves about how the
success of Art Athina is increasing by the year. With all this
success, why isn’t the event self-supported?» Arsen inquires.

Supporters of sponsorship coming from the private sector, the
Kalfayans believe it is time for visual arts events, institutions or
galleries to become more self-dependent and less reliant on political
decisions and liaisons. They also believe that there should be a
wiser distribution of money across art projects and better planning.
«When in Thessaloniki one museum opened after the other, everybody
was pleased, but now they all complain about meager budgets. Back
then, I proposed that the two museums, the Macedonian and the State
Museum, become one,» says Arsen Kalfayan.

Compared to the past, the visual arts scene in Greece has of course
changed for the better, and the Kalfayans will admit that with no
reservation. There is more to see, greater variety and different
angles. Kalfayan Fine Arts provides an example of this broader
phenomenon. Run by two driven, educated people with strong beliefs
about the field of art, it brings different perspectives to art and
connects the art of the present with that of the past.

«Encounters» at the Kalfayan Gallery in Athens (6 Kapsali,
210.721.7679) through 14/5. Greek post-Byzantine icons in
Thessaloniki (43 Proxenou Koromila, 2310.231.187) from 16/4-14/5.

Kathimerini, Greece
April 11 2005

Second `Turkish’ group is banned

Confirming a previous verdict on the sensitive issue of whether the
Muslim minority of northern Greece can be regarded as an ethnic
group, the country’s highest civil court has ruled against a Thracian
association describing itself as `Turkish.’

Judiciary sources said yesterday that the Supreme Court’s Fourth
Section rejected a bid by the `Cultural Association of Turkish Women
in the Rhodope Prefecture’ against a ruling by a Thrace appeals court
that had ordered the group’s dissolution.

It was the second ruling of its kind by the Supreme Court this year,
after a decision in January banning a 78-year-old Muslim minority
association named the `Turkish Union of Xanthi,’ a Thracian town with
a strong Muslim community.

This verdict, with which Ankara expressed dismay, had said the union
`served the interest of a foreign country in the attempt to present a
Turkish minority as living in Greece.’

Citing the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, which provided for an exchange of
populations between Greece and Turkey following the 1919-22 war,
Athens holds that the 100,000-strong Muslim minority in Thrace is not
ethnically Turkish.

The ruling made public yesterday – which has yet to be officially
announced – noted that the association’s aims were illegal and went
against the Treaty of Lausanne. At the same time, it established that
the lower court’s decision was in accordance with the Greek
Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.

According to judicial sources, Supreme Court judges found that the
association `is implicitly seeking to forward Turkish ideals, in
contrast to other lawful associations in Greece – of different ethnic
descent, such as Armenian or Israeli – which legitimately aim to
preserve their national customs, language etc.’

Turkish Press
April 11 2005

Erdogan: We Regret To See Negative Attitudes Against Turkish And
Muslim People In Some European Countries Recently

OSLO – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday,
”we regret to see negative attitudes against Turkish and Muslim
people in some European countries recently. It is impossible to
understand such attitudes against Turks and Muslims in a period when
the world focuses on dialogue among different civilizations and
cultures.”

Prime Minister Erdogan, who is currently paying a state visit to
Norway, met Turkish citizens at the Oslo Military Museum Meeting
Hall.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ”we saw
similar attitudes before December 17th. However, we overcame them.
The EU is not a Christian club. It is the outcome of compromise among
civilizations. The EU is a whole of political values.”

Upon a question about the allegations of so-called Armenian genocide,
Prime Minister Erdogan said, ”our parliament will hold a special
session on April 13th to debate the Armenian issue. A statement will
be signed by 550 MPs at the end of the session. It will be sent to
parliaments of several countries including Britain.”

”We have been advocating since the very beginning that a peaceful
world cannot be established on hatred and enmity. We have opened our
air corridor with Armenia. Unfortunately, our western allies take
some decisions about Turkey on ground of baseless comments of
marginal groups. It is seriously unfair. For instance, students held
demonstrations in France and in the other European countries. Police
used force to disperse demonstrators and beat some of them. None of
these events in Europe are mentioned and criticized. However, they
criticize any similar event in Turkey. In fact, we never allow any
attempt in support of terrorist organizations. Also, we never admit
such support as human rights since we have suffered much from
terrorism. Our first priority is the safety of our people.”

Replying to a question about the Cyprus question, Prime Minister
Erdogan said, ”the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has
been exposed to international isolation for years. Any country,
except for Turkey, does not recognize the TRNC. Our government has
been expending great efforts to find a fair and lasting solution to
the Cyprus issue. 65 percent of Turkish Cypriot people supported the
plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in the referendum
on April 24th, 2004. They displayed their will for a solution.”

Lowell Sun, Masssachussettes
April 11 2005

Events slated to remember 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide
The Lowell Sun

LOWELL — The Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center will host dozens of
events this spring and summer to commemorate the 90th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide. From 1915 to 1923, 1.5 million Armenians were
killed at the hands of the Turkish government and thousands more were
displaced., The commemoration began April 3 with an opening-day
reception at the cultural center, 40 French St.

Other events are:

* Thursday, April 14, 7 p.m., Mogan Center: Public forum on the
genocide moderated by Levon Chorbajian of UMass
Lowell. The forum includes Henry Therault of Worcester State College
on `Status of the Armenians in the Eyes of the Perpetrator,’ and
Dikran Kaligian of Westfield State College on `Reversing Historical
Revisionism and Denial in the Mass Media.’

* Sunday, April 17, 3 p.m., North Andover High School: Memorial
Service by area Armenian churches. Local survivors to be honored.

* Wednesday, April 20: Capitol Hill observance and visit to
congressional offices in Washington, D.C. Contact Joe Dagdigan for
details at 978-772-9417.

* Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m.: Annual procession and raising of the
Armenian flag at Lowell City Hall. Procession starts at the corner of
John and Merrimack streets. Reception to follow at the Mogan Center.

* Sunday, April 24: New York City Times Square Armenian genocide
observance and memorial service at St. Patrick Cathedral. Contact the
local Armenian Church for details.

* Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15, 1:30 to 3 p.m.: Walking tour,
`This Was Our Neighborhood,’ conducted by Alan Manoian of the Nashua
Conservation Commission. Starts at historic St. Vartanantz Armenian
Church, 60 Lawrence St.

* Tuesday, May 17, 7 p.m.: Fellowship evening, men’s clubs from area
Armenian churches. Buffet dinner at the Mogan Center. Lecture by
Mehmed Ali on `The Other Side of Genocide — The Turkish Community of
Lowell.’

* Thursday, May 19, 7 p.m., Mogan Center: Public Forum, `Issues in
Comparative Genocide,’ moderated by Levon Chorbajian. Featured
lectures are Henry Theriault on `Comparing Genocide Denials’; George
Chigas of UMass Lowell on `Is There an Effective Response to the
Genocide? The example of Cambodia’; and Adam Strom on `Why Teach
about Genocide.’

Additionally, the Mogan Center is showcasing paintings by Chelmsford
artist Danial Varoujan Nejinian; historical photos from Project SAVE
and photos of local genocide survivors contributed by Alan Manoian;
and documents, artifacts and photos from the Armenian Library and
Museum in Watertown.

The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays
through Fridays, Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information, call Aram Jeknavorian at 603-883-0535.

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
April 11 2005

PM calls for Armenians to apologise to Turkey

Prime Minister Erdogan said that his party and the opposition will be
united in challenging the Armenian claims.

April 11 – It is up to the Armenians to apologise to Turkey over
allegations of genocide during the First World War, Turkish Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.

Speaking in Norway while on an official visit Erdogan said
that Turkey was prepared to openly discuss the claims made by
Armenians that the Ottoman Empire had committed genocide against its
Armenian citizens
`We are opening up all of the state archives. Let everyone
come and study it, we are ready to settle accounts with our history,’
he said.
Erdogan said that they would send a letter to the 11 countries
that had chosen to use the Blue Book, a study of the allegations and
that is used as a basis for the Armenians claims, seeking for an
apology to Turkey. He said that all the 550 deputies in the Turkish
parliament would sign this letter.
From: Baghdasarian

FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS OF RA BANKS DECREASE IN EARLY APRIL

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Accroding to the 20 Armenian banks’
indices, in the period of March 25 to April 1, the broad money
increased by 2 bln 618 mln drams in Armenia and made 276 bln 996 mln
drams (about 615 mln USD). The amount of cash in circulation increased
1 bln 877 mln drams on last week to 91 bln 976 mln drams. According to
the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) data, the on-call dram deposits grew
212 mln drams to 36 bln 272 mln drams, while the time deposits grew 1
bln 545 mln drams to 16 bln 284 mln drams. The foreign currency
deposits decreased 1 bln 16 mln drams and made the amount equivalent
to 132 bln 464 mln drams. The monetary base decreased 288 mln drams
and made 123 bln 330 mln drams as of April 7. As of the same day, the
net foreign assets (without privatization resources) declined by 268
mln drams, whereas the net domestic assets – by 20 mln drams.

Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 11 2005

US Fury on ‘Anti-Americanism’ in Turkey
View: Dr. Ihsan BAL

Every day an article appears in US media about Turkey which accuses
Turkish government and media of conspiring about America and feeding
anti Americanism in Turkey. According to neo-con American media and
think-tanks, majority of Turkish people have become anti-American in
recent years and this trend is rising day by day. According to the
neo-cons Turkish people have become anti American because Turkish
government is Islamic and Turkish media, particularly Islamic one,
steaming hatred against Americans in Turkey.

Those assumptions need clarification and close examination.

First of all, do Turkish people hate Americans? There has been number
of surveys conducted recently in Turkey to find out what the reality
is. According to very recent survey which was conducted by Poll Mark
Company, Turkish people do not hate Americans but overwhelming
majority of the Turkish people do not approve President George W.
Bush’s policies. According to the Poll Mark Survey, % 81.5 of
respondents is not happy about Bush’s policies compare to only % 5.6
approves president Bush. On the other hand, % 64 of respondents has
no problem for choosing an American neighbor in next door. This is a
very significant result, considering that Turkish people are very
choosy about their neighbors. Poll Mark finds out another significant
result by asking marriage preference: In Turkey marriage parameters
are very important to find out public attitude and feelings. It won’t
be exaggeration if one suggests that Turks are obsessed about their
marriage preferences in particular they do not allow their children
to marry with foreigners. With these in mind % 37.3 of respondents do
not mind getting married with Americans. This is very high percent,
even regional preferences inside Turkey plays a big role in terms of
marriage.

Another public poll conducted by Ankara-based Turkish think tank ISRO
(International Strategic Research Organization) indicates that 74 %
of Turkish people still perceive US as a `strategic ally’. Only 16 %
of the whole contenders defined themselves as `anti American’, but a
timid 4 % of the respondents dislike American people. Consequently,
it is clear that Turkish people do not hate American people, but anti
Americanism is slightly higher compared to former. The most
significant result of the survey is about George W. Bush’s policies,
where 91 % of respondents disapprove Bush’s policies, compared to the
previous president Bill Clinton who has a 49 % full (41 %) and
partially (8 %) approval rate. ISRO Survey also confirms that Bill
Clinton had the highest approval with 69 % regarding world peace and
security. It can be argued that Turkish people are concerned about
American foreign policies (particularly regarding Turkey and the
region) and their attitudes are shaped in the light of these
policies. It is obvious that the some US analysts about Turkey are on
wrong track in suggesting that there is a widespread anti American
feelings in Turkey. Also as a clear indication of the misjudgments of
some American analysts about `anti Americanism in Turkey’ is the
survey result on the reason of opposition to the American policies
where 75 % of the respondents see the biggest problem to
Turkish-American relations is the American attitude towards PKK
terror organization in Northern Iraq.

There is no widespread anti Americanism in Turkey, however there is a
level of hostile feelings against American administration. This
feeling has been fueled by American policies towards the PKK and most
recently the assumptions of use of Armenian allegations as a carrot
and stick policy against Turkey.

One must realize that the problem between Turkey and US is not
cultural, social, economic and `love and hate relation’ between the
communities but Turkish public’s disapproval of the US government
policies. When this relationship is understood from this perspective
and analyzed in this ground, than there is a real chance to work on
and build a stable and sustainable relationship between two parties.
So what the Turkish people does not like about Bush’s polices? First
one is American tolerance to radical Kurds. Every public survey
evidently put the former president Bill Clinton top of the polls as
Turkey’s friend in contrast to president Bush on bottom of the polls
in Turkey. So what is the different? President Clinton did what a
strategic ally would do and help Turkey to apprehend PKK terror
organization leader Abdullah Öcalan. On the other hand President Bush
prevented Turkey to carry out military operation against this
notorious terror organization and although Turkey has fully supported
American declaration of `war against terrorism’ and send a military
personnel to Afghanistan. Turkey did not fully cooperate with the US
over Iraq where many European countries also did not cooperate with
US. However Turkey did a lot for Bush administration even in Iraqi
case; every day thousands of Turkish lorry drivers traveled to war
zone with the expense of endangering their life, many Turkish
businessmen and workers also supported the US with their very needy
logistics, and Turkey also opened her air corridor to US planes, just
to mention a few amongst so many.

Ironically Bush administration is not satisfied with these afford and
many Turkish people believes that Turkey is being punished for not
helping the US in its invasion of Iraq. On the one hand Bush
administration is so keen on democracy; on the other hand they are
not happy with democratically elected governments’ policies.
Democracy needs more effort to convince your counterpart over your
policies. Relationship between democracies is also must be based on
common benefit rather than dictating one sides policy.

Some American intellectuals need to look at the cultural, social and
historical backgrounds of the Turkish people to understand the public
tendency towards Americans and US administration. For this respect,
authors whom writing about Turkey and analyzing the Turkish public
must bear in mind that, there is not such overwhelming hatred towards
any nation in Turkish history. Through out the Turkish history there
has been coexistence, tolerance and harmony in Anatolia. Turkish
civilization is also one of the best examples of different nations
living together in peaceful manner looking back to Balkans, Caucasus
and Middle East. Therefore a nation with these characteristics and
background may never show any sign of hatred. Even the timid anti
American group is the result of deaf and blind virtues of American
policies.

Another point to be noted is that the Turkish government has made
great efforts to normalize Turkish-American relations since the Iraq
War while the US Government just accuses the Turkish Government and
media. The American image in Turkey could not be restored by just
blaming Turkish public, government and media. The Americans need to
listen what Turks say. They do not hate the Americans, but they
disapprove the Americans deal with the Middle East and Turkey. This
is a best outcome of Turkish democratic experience and richness, as
US has been trying to promote and mention as a model Muslim
democracy.

JTW
11 April 2005

SEMINAR DEDICATED TO WORKING OUT OF NATO INDIVIDUAL PARTNERSHIP ACTION
PLAN TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL, NOYAN TAPAN. The George C. Marshall European Center
for Security Studies will be conducting a seminar dedicated to working
out of NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan. The George C. Marshall
European Center for Security Studies will be conducting a seminar
April 12-14 at the Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan to support the
Republic of Armenia as it develops its NATO Individual Partnership
Action Plan (IPAP). An IPAP for a particular country outlines the
general objectives and timelines for its future activities within the
framework of cooperation with NATO. Scholars and experts from the
Marshall Center will work with representatives of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and other ministries that
will be involved in IPAP activities on the process of developing an
IPAP, and a discussion of what effects it will have on the various
ministries. U.S. Ambassador John Evans will also speak at the opening
session of the seminar on the morning of April 12. According to the
Public Relations Department of US Embassy to RA, the Marshall Center
delegation will be headed by Major General (retired) Dr. Horst
Schmalfeld, German Deputy Director of the George C. Marshall European
Center for Security Studies. The Marshall Center is located in
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.