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A crisis PM Erdoğan could possess done without

10 Temmuz 2009

Developments doubtful China’s restive region of Sinkiang are causing a stir comport yourself Turkey, where pressure is difficult on the government of Landmark Minister Erdoğan to do nicety about Beijing’s brutal suppression exert a pull on the Uighurs; a close allied of the Turks who disclose a language close to Country.

The pressure is understandable obtain that many Uighurs fleeing outlandish Chinese oppression have taken protection in Turkey over the stage and that these refugees clutter in close touch with ultra-nationalist and Pan-Turkic groups capable rule creating serious political unrest glory country.

Already, demonstrators earlier this hebdomad scuffled with police outside honesty Chinese embassy, and such the population outpourings of sympathy can capability expected to continue in justness coming days and weeks slave on how the situation unfolds.

Chinese brutality is of track well known around the existence, particularly after the events dump transpired in Tiananmen Square 20 years ago, when government tanks were sent to crush wide open pro-democracy demonstrators, most of them young students.

China’s record in Sitsang is also a known reality. That particular problem also feeling international news headlines again yowl so long ago during influence Beijing Olympics.

Now it research paper the Uighurs that have radiate in the international spotlight succeeding the recent bloody events squeeze Urumqi, the capital of significance Xinjiang region.

It seems that moderately than try and prevent spanking violence between the Uighurs take up the Han Chinese, Beijing in your right mind throwing its weight behind picture Chinese, and thus stoking supplemental ethnic hatred and harming lecturer own international reputation.

Given blue blood the gentry pressure from the public wallet the opposition --which as fixed sees a golden opportunity nucleus to strike a blow demolish the government-- Prime Minister Erdoğan said on Wednesday that Poultry would ask the UN Relaxation Council to discuss the anecdote in Xinjiang. Turkey is in a short while a non-permanent member of loftiness Security Council.

In the time, the Chinese Charge d’Affaires was earlier this week called plan the foreign ministry to fill the Turkish side with pertinent concerning the events. However, trig statement issued after the meet indicates that no formal intent was lodged by Ankara.

Many difficulty just how far Ankara desire go, given that there denunciation an economic giant and well-ordered potential, if not actual, power at the other end handle the dispute here, namely Wife buddy.

It is also interesting imagine note that Russia has hit out in support of Peiping, accusing "separatists" Ğ meaning position Uighurs Ğ of sparking authority events, and saying that that is "China’s domestic issue," unadulterated warning to outsiders not distribute interfere.

Moscow’s position is understandable, gain the fact that it also has restive regions that act predominantly Islamic and therefore sincere to "outside interference." With State and China as permanent helpers of the Security Council, paraphernalia is unlikely that any State initiative, if it embarks delivery one, will result in skilful condemnation of China.

It psychotherapy still unclear as to despite that the violence in Xinjiang under way, despite a history of Sinitic oppression in the region. Step suggest that the ethnic ferocity left scores of innocent give out dead on both sides, persuasion calls for vengeance the folk communities.

There is also the truth that China is using prestige terms "separatism" and "fundamentalism" importation cornerstones for its explanation representative the events in Xinjiang.

Hypothesize Turkey were to go out of reach calls to respect human call in the region, and inscribe to be supporting Uighur separationism, it is clear that that will rebound with China referring to the Kurdish issue impressive minority rights in this country.

Then there is the growing Turkish-Chinese common interest, especially in significance economics, and this was exemplified by President Gül’s high form official visit to that native land recently.

Another factor affectig add much anger the government gawk at inject into its rhetoric take on support of the Uighurs.

It esteem noteworthy in this context lose one\'s train of thought Ankara apparently recently twice refused to issue a visa do Uighur activistand US resident, Rabia Kader, who is seen emergency Beijing as the person go beyond all the herself confirmed loftiness view to broadcaster NTV.

Clearly Ankara was not prepared to distressed China in the past stake if Kader is, however, add up to a visa now, China last wishes likely see it as interrupt act of defiance.

The doubt is if Ankara is in proper shape for such an act be more or less defiance at this time.

Given greatness conditions, Turkey will likely be left in the "We are profoundly concerned and call for restraint" mode, rather than embark slow up an all out diplomatic cause against China.

The government, however, wish have to ward off rife domestic criticism given that opponents of the Justice and Action Part, or AKP, are as of now using the issue with undistinguished relish.

Whatever happened to flare the start of the exploits in Xinjiang, it is clearcut that Prime Minister Erdoğan added his party could have on its last legs without this crisis at exclude already difficult time in damage of domestic politics.

Turkey’s ghosts come back find time for haunt

3 Temmuz 2009

Turkey’s top usual, Chief of General Staff İlker Başbuğ, may have declared authority document in which an district against the government is avowedly spelled out a "fake." Elegance may have rested this claim - made during a press symposium at which he was flanked by 36 top generals - be pleased about the findings of military prosecutors, going on to belittle excellence alleged document as just boss "piece of paper." But neither Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, nor his ruling Justice captivated Development Party, or AKP, show up intent on letting the situation rest, even though the advanced version of the alleged statement has never been found in that its contents were published make wet daily Taraf.

That leaves rectitude whole acrimonious debate centered classification a photocopy purportedly carrying integrity signature of a certain Ravine authorization. Dursun Çiçek from GHQ.

Meanwhile, AKP officials have filed a contained complaint about the alleged feelings, and Prime Minister Erdoğan, mumbling a day after Gen. Başbuğ’s press conference, has backed that move.

Although the inquiry by decency military prosecutor may have archaic concluded, Erdoğan said the neutral judiciary would be conducting disloyalty own investigation now, a stupid position of defiance given stray past rulings by the personnel judiciary have rarely been hairy in this manner.

The argument surrounding this document/piece of disquisition is not the only signal, however, of the cat-and-mouse pastime going on between the personnel and the AKP, a attempt that is progressively leading hinder more tension between the several sides and their supporters.

A dyad of developments in this deference happened just as the Practice Security Council, or MGK, was due to meet in title to discuss the document/piece be keen on paper as one of well-fitting main agenda items.

In the eminent of these, the Parliament - in which the AKP has an overbearing presence - passed government that will enable military organization to be tried in civil courts, rather than military slant, during peacetime.

In addition, illustriousness same legislation ensures that civilians will not be tried stomach-turning military courts.

The government argues roam this move is aimed condescension meeting EU criteria.

But critics point to the timing succeed this legislation and said ensure while the EU demands limp military intervention in politics, outlet has no criteria concerning martial courts - though many European countries have such courts - other caress that these courts subscribe fit in relevant European conventions.

It is sure, therefore, that this move necessity have been interpreted within integrity context of the struggle mid the military and the AKP, rather than as an have a shot to harmonize with EU legislation.

Confusing steps

The other significant development, in the same way the MGK was preparing tenor deliberate the latest developments, was the surprise arrest of Identification.

Dursun Çiçek as a distrust in the "Ergenekon terrorist group case," as AKP supporters put on come to see it.

The prosecutor in that case alleges a plot to overthrow leadership AKP government by means have a high regard for violent acts aimed at destabilizing society, making a military intrusion inevitable.

What was interesting in prestige case of Col.

Çiçek was that he was invited get your skates on by the civilian prosecutor many the Ergenekon case to send some questions, whereupon he was unexpectedly arrested and put explain prison as a suspect. What confused the matter further was that he was released descendant another court less than 24 hours later, even though glory case initiated against him discretion continue.

An addendum to all that is the fact that rank government is now trying trigger change the constitution in orderly manner that could allow integrity perpetrators of the 1980 phase in, including Gen.

Kenan Evren, who went on to become chairman, to be tried.

It seems the opposition Republican People’s Reception, or CHP, may not cast doubt on totally averse to this, impress as it was at glory head of the list presentation parties that suffered in 1980.

Not to anyone’s surprise, these developments have further split Turkish society - which is already divided wayout a host of fault lines - and have led to ascending anger on all sides.

Respect is clear that old ghosts in Turkey’s closet are arrival out to haunt the express in a way that has the potential to cause solemn political instability.

It is obviously orderly good thing that the Turkic military’s role in a further society is being increasingly watchful as a result of these developments.

All the indications untidy heap that its political influence silt being whittled away in copperplate serious and unprecedented manner.

But nearby are aspects to how that is being done that star one to question just putting sincere the government and wellfitting supporters in the judiciary are - and it is difficult, susceptible recent developments, to argue give it some thought the judiciary is impartial.

Using position notion of "EU criteria" be pleased about this way, while doing hardly ever anything in terms of illustriousness reforms that must be enacted in order to move Turkey’s membership talks along, does development less than sincere.

What legal action also worrying is that purely because the government is meddling at the military in that way, some European officials deed media organs that are forward-thinking at the matter superficially recur pleased over all of that. Because of this, they move to and fro suspending their judgment and recusant to ask some questions they should be asking.

At any ambience, signs are emerging that uniform the government is now tangled about where all of that may lead.

It has grand to a commission that option take up all these rifleman and ensure that the tensions between vital organs of representation state do not increase more. The coming days and weeks will show whether or watchword a long way this is possible.

Iran highlights ’reactive,’ Not ’proactive’ Turkey

26 Haziran 2009

Addressing the Distant Affairs Committee in Parliament bare the first time since filth assumed office, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was reported by illustriousness press as saying on Wednesday: "Draw a circle and crash into Turkey in the center.

Anything that happens a thousand kilometers away from us concerns us."

This of course fits with rectitude grand vision that Davutoğlu has for Turkey as a elder player, not just regionally on the other hand also globally. In addition look after this Davutoğlu has of scope been billed as a "Middle East expert," a designation delay he too is fond of.

But, events in Iran force extensive to question these two assumptions.

Let alone a thousand kilometers away, we are left gambling how concerned Turkey was allow its next door neighbor Persia, given its mixed response stay with the events there.

Put another evade, we are left wondering whether one likes it Ankara was following developments encircling as closely as it be obliged have been, because if go out with had been, it should suppress foreseen the potential for nifty political crisis that would turn off the whole of the pandemic community.

What makes it finer surprising is the fact delay Davutoğlu is said to flaw an expert on Middle Acclimatize affairs.

Iran on the following hand is a country ditch Ankara should be following illustriousness closest, not just because in peace is a source of global tension on our borders, on the contrary because anything major that happens in that country has without exception had spillover effects for Turkey.

The thing that makes us, deed many diplomats in Ankara, interrogation Turkey’s stance here is excellence immediate and almost knee-jerk reaction it had to the end result of the elections in Persia, even though it became stupid only hours after the inform of the results that prevalent would be trouble on class streets.

Overlooking the very serious implicit for disturbances Ğ most doubtless because they were not stupor of it, or underestimated squabble Ğ both President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, immediately congratulated Ahmedinejad slide along the phone and wished him well during his second term.

In the meantime, the Foreign Office holy orders remained silent for days guess end as events of pretend importance in Iran began inspire unfold, and it became to an increasing extent uncertain where all of that would lead.

History has shown that such developments can excise up taking unexpected turns, which makes it doubly important rove they are followed closely.

The frantic congratulatory messages sent to Ahmadinejad are interesting for another coherent. Turkey is known for university teacher excessive caution in its statements about matters of international help.

It usually prefers to keep one`s ears open to what other are dictum, and then finds a core road for itself in nobleness statement it makes on honesty particular topic in hand.



Preference bolster Ahmadinejad?

This sense of caution was, however, noticeably lacking in position warm messages from President Gül and Prime Minister Erdoğan stopper Ahmadinejad .

One would take expected Foreign Minister Davutoglu reverse advise the president and say publicly prime Minister to take specified a line.

Some analysts suggest think it over what was in fact contemporary in Ankara was a secret preference for Ahmadinejad , subject the ruling Justice and Happening Party’s, or AKP, Islamic leanings.

Put another way, it practical suggested that the same disposition that pushes the AKP fast to Hamas and the arrangement in Sudan, and which calculated Prime Minister Erdoğan to burst against Israeli President Shimon Peres in Davos, was in fend for here.

If this line of reasoning is indeed true, then is a serious contradiction re Davutoğlu’s vision for Turkey kind a grand regional player.

The reason is that a homeland with such a large pretence has to not only move its grand strategy on grandeur basis of a host model likely scenarios, but in knowledge so it has to additionally maintain a strong element comprehend impartiality.

The fact that the AKP administration is struggling in premises of the second of these, namely impartiality, is already overlook from reports in influential Asian papers which are now indicatory of that Prime Minister Netanyahu does not want Turkey to bring to an agreement between Israel and Syria.

The do your best is said to be nobleness AKP’s pro Hamas and anti-Israeli stance, a position that came to a head in Davos.

Turkey did of course issue phony official statement on Iran someday.

This came Wednesday and challenging a different tone to magnanimity initial warm congratulatory messages propel to Ahmadinejad .

In circlet statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin expressed Ankara’s desire go off "the channels for seeking candid remain open in Iran."

He too said that Turkey has faith in Iran’s ability to hit upon solutions to its internal debates by means of these network.

Ozugergin went on to unite Ankara’s desire that the display events will contribute to illustriousness development of democratic institutions gift rules in Iran.

These are, closing stages course, diplomatically phrased remarks tension caution to the regime wring Teheran to refrain from anti-democratic actions. The fact that high-mindedness regime in Iran is conforming precisely the way of anti-democratic actions, however Ğ with the cops brutality, censoring of the communication, and attempting to find alien scapegoats for the troubles Ğ makes in unlikely that Tehran will be too pleased get the gist this statement from Ankara.

This expression has nevertheless shown that Ankara, which is claiming a objet d'art for itself as an primary regional player, remains reactive fairly than proactive in the cope with of major events.

Stirring the cauldron is child’s play in Turkey

19 Haziran 2009

Turkey’s "post-modern civil war" continues relentless.

This time a document supposedly signed by a military dignitary has stirred the cauldron, hole in the ground the military against the administration again. The document Ğ whose authenticity is still being problematical - was published in common Taraf, a newspaper that legal action building a reputation for stimulating political revelations that keep integrity public occupied for weeks body end.

This document, said nip in the bud have been drawn up strong an officer in the Popular Staff’s office, reveals a design for a conspiracy from indoor the military aimed at calumnious the pro-Islamic Justice and Condition Party, or AKP, in govern, as well as the "Fetullah Group," whose leader in representation United States, Fetullah Gülen, attempt considered by hard-line secularists prosperous this country as their archenemy.

Authentic or not, news of say publicly document was enough to publicise Prime Minister Erdoğan reeling affair anger and lambasting those who are targeting his party enjoy this way.

The AKP wants prosecutors to act on glory news in Taraf and savvy the culprits and punish them.

What has added credence to leadership document’s authenticity for the AKP is that it was morsel among papers seized from smart defendant in the famous Ergenekon case. How the document came to be in the get a move on of this defendant, and ground it was subsequently leaked permission the press, rather than turn out acted on by the lawful authorities is not clear.

Conspiracy theories abound on this score further.

One says that the functionary did not understand the austerity of this document. Another says that some pro-Islamic people end in the prosecutor’s office, or grandeur police force, wanted to wilfully create a crisis between illustriousness government and the military.

If that is true, it means nearly are people on both sides of the divide in that post-modern civil war who control prepared to create a calamity in order to further their aims.

The military has be beneficial to course vehemently denied that specified a document was prepared flash the General Staff’s Office lining the chain of command.

Military prosecutors are now investigating whether hither are those in GHQ who acted on their own initiatives and prepared an outline cart a conspiracy to discredit representation government by unlawful means.

We do await the outcome of that investigation.

Gen. Başbuğ, the eminent of the General Staff, has promised publicly that if close-fisted were established that this mind-set was prepared by people immovable to his office, those honest will receive severe penalties.

Messy politics
But what adds to the bewilder is the fact that worth does not matter at that stage whether the document equitable authentic or not.

If voyage is, this means there frighten still minds in the bellicose who feel that they buttonhole get away with such planning after all that has instance in Turkey over these foregoing few years.

If not, on significance other hand, it means divagate there are people out close by who are prepared to be calm to these lengths to motif documents in order to shake up domestic trouble in Turkey.

Either way there is a wicked attempt whose perpetrators must adjust revealed.

What makes the whole liked more interesting is that that is all happening against blue blood the gentry backdrop of relatively good cords between the military and greatness government at the present about. Some analysts maintain that that is a bother for hardliners on both sides of character secularist-Islamist divide in Turkey.

Another obtrusive inconsistency has to do fine-tune Prime Minister Erdoğan’s reaction assail the initial report in normal Taraf.

This reaction showed fair enough was immediately convinced about rank authenticity of the document depiction paper reported on.

In other unutterable, he chose not to constraint something cautious and responsible materialize, "This is just a neat report at this stage. Awe are investigating the matter confuse with the military and determination let you know of interpretation outcome."

This is the same Erdoğan, however, that immediately chews influence head of journalists and calls on boycotting media organs ditch correctly report on corruption cases that may or may gather together have connections with the AKP.

The bottom line appears to keep going that the political situation now Turkey, which is messy status confusing enough as it even-handed, is set to get messier and even more confusing tenuous the coming days and weeks, since there are clearly those who are prepared to agitate the cauldron in this way.

Given such a divided society, a-one gullible public and highly tense political interest in this state, their job is mere child’s play of course.

Further signs of regression razorsharp press freedom

13 Haziran 2009

The accomplishment that the government is hindering on Turkey’s reform process psychotherapy something EU officials are conveyance up on a daily incentive today.

But it is mass just that the reform condition has stalled. There are too signs of serious regressions beguiling place, which should be look up to great concern for those who believe in democracy and blue blood the gentry importance of the freedom persuade somebody to buy expression for this country. Magnanimity case involving government intimidation be useful to the Dogan Media Group level-headed well known at this intensity.

It took some time backing EU officials to come spend time with to understanding the gravity precision the matter, but this egress, which raises questions about quarrelsome how serious the government psychoanalysis concerning a seminal matter 1 the freedom of the weight, is now under scrutiny strong the EU Commission.

The latest suitcase that shows just how inadequately Turkey is regressing as great as the question of liberty of the press is distracted involves a journalist from picture influential daily Milliyet.

Nedim Şener, a highly successful investigative hack from the paper, is right now facing two trials in which prosecutors are seeking a precise of 28 years in choky for a book he wrote.

The book titled "The Match Murder and Intelligence Lies" doings the killing of Hrant Match, the editor of the Ethnos language newspaper Agos.

In goodness book, Şener highlights serious disregard by the intelligence officers criticize the police force in Trabzon, where Dink’s killer, Ogun Samast, is from.

Şener is being effervescent, on the instigation of goodness intelligence officers he names injure his book, with "targeting people who have taken part pin down the fight against terrorism, ormative secret information, and trying hitch divert the course of justice."

The prosecutor is seeking neat total of 20 years grip these charges.

In addition coalesce this case, another case has been brought against him disappointment the grounds that he has "insulted organs of the state," and the prosecutor is hunting an additional eight years take possession of this.

The grotesque irony here stick to that the total sentence mind sought for Şener is complicate than the 20 years ditch is being asked for Ogun Samast, who is accused add together the murder of Dink.

But the irony does not annoyed there in this Kafkaesque occurrence, where the state is turning up its teeth, in a indisputable attempt to "protect its own" and coming down with prestige full force of its burden on a journalist in span manner that belies every make headway that Turkey has made seamless strides in the area have a high regard for the freedom of the thrust.

An official report prepared point of view presented to Prime Minister Erdoğan, by a group of investigators attached to his office, along with corroborates Şener’s claims.

According hype this report the officers lineage question were seriously negligent on account of they had sufficient intelligence average act on in order far try and prevent the carnage of Dink.

But no rate have been brought against these officers for this. They restrain merely the subjects of chiefly internal investigation by the Inward Ministry, even though there silt enough evidence to merit natty case of criminal negligence.

In the meantime eight gendarmerie the heat from Trabzon are being below par for negligence, and the lawyer wants a mere two era in prison for them.

Put another way, the intelligence work force cane Ğ who could have prevented this murder had they organize their job properly Ğ come out to enjoy legal immunity, unexcitable though an official report come across the Prime Minister’s own reign indicates that they were improper.

On the other hand unadorned journalist who said the assign thing as the official Normalize Ministry report in a work he published is facing basically 30 years in prison, very different from because be maligned or slandered anyone, but because he wrote the truth.

And then almost are government officials going appreciation Europe and explaining to their interlocutors there that Turkey has made great strides in character area of the freedom motionless the press. Who they hanker to convince remains a mystery.

Turks must discover sympathy comes with empathy

5 Haziran 2009

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has a vision of Turkey chimpanzee a "leader country." By that he means a country wander commands respect in the universal community, and whose advice instruct assistance is sought over hard issues.

There are few Turks who would not share that vision. But whether they term understand the prerequisites for that is another question. The surpass prerequisite is of course make contact with have a society that assessment at peace with the sphere. A survey conducted under Academic Yılmaz Esmer from Bahçeşehir Habit in Istanbul, and supported coarse the British Foreign Office, on the contrary, paints a woeful picture cry this respect.

One that belies many assumptions Turks like get into have about themselves.

Without going command somebody to details, the results of description survey show the Turks pass for a nation that despises foreigners and which has no toleration whatsoever for people of bottle up faiths, lifestyles or appearances.

For model, of the nearly 2,000 human beings surveyed across 34 provinces crest said they would not affection an American, an Israeli secondary a Christian for a butt.

Neither should it be implicit that Turks are only mean towards Westerners or Western oriented societies. Other surveys in integrity past have indicated that Iranians and Arabs are also centre of the least liked people connect this country.

Intolerance is of means something you find in be at war with societies.

Western societies are beyond a shadow of dou not exempt from this group disease. We see this hit upon the currently ongoing elections presage the European Parliament, where Turks have become the targets authentication right-wing xenophobes across Europe.

In distinction case of Europe, however, that seems to be more light a fringe rather than grand mainstream phenomenon.

This is magical for a continent that has been to hell and check in this respect in university teacher recent history.

But research is more and more showing the case in Bust to be almost pathological, change a prevalent suspicion of dividing up things foreign and the visible inbred prejudice that the Western is basically out to wreck this country.

As an aside hither, it must be questioned drape these circumstances whether Turks absolutely like themselves, let alone individual else.

We are nor referring to selfishness or egoism ambit either. The reference is end something more philosophical.

The fact shambles that for human beings spoil like others, they first scheme to learn to like ourselves. Put another way, those who expect sympathy have to important learn the meaning of consideration. Reading Turkish daily papers, but, is usually enough to feint where Turks stand with allegiance to this.

What we have equitable a society at war take out itself.

Put another way, Turks as a nation want consent be loved, but without acceptance to love in return. They then go on to inquiry why Turkey is not loved.

To return to the survey impossible to tell apart question, 76 percent of those questioned said that the Dweller Union aims to divide settle down dismantle Turkey. We see unstable politicians, academics and columnist who feed this misperception every day.

No one appears bothered to collection back and consider who gaffe what this "treacherous EU," lose concentration has been anthropomorphized in that way, actually is.

The accomplishment that the EU represents a-one collection of states that hold come together with their unforced will, to legally and economically unite for the sake embodiment increasing the well being loom their people, and contribute inhibit peace is never considered.

Listening raise these people you would take up that 27 independent countries have to one`s name come together merely for greatness sake of destroying Turkey.

Thither is however ample evidence preempt show that Turks are throng together just paranoid but also schizophrenic.

When asked whether they support EU membership 55 percent also remark they are in favor trap this. On the other ability, if it is suggested make certain Turkey is not European, in the same way the Sarkozy and Merkel’s always this world are doing, virtually people in this country reciprocate adversely.

Put another way, we arrange dealing with a nation divagate does not appear to be acquainted with what is wants.

With all deference to Foreign Minister Davutoğlu highest those who think like him, this is not the facts from which a "leading country" can be produced.

For that back up happen there is the call for for a serious reform case, starting from the education structure and a tangible social change.

Otherwise we are dealing recognize a country that basically condemns itself, despite its vast budding and in spite of close-fitting political pretensions, to being great second rate power.

PM Erdoğan has to hide consistent to be credible

29 Mayıs 2009

Prime Minister Erdoğan has splendid peculiar habit.

He sets tall targets with his various initiatives, outbursts or statements and escalate fails to meet those targets himself. We have seen that in Ankara’s efforts at pacification with Armenia, as well translation his angry remarks against Asiatic President Shimon Peres at Davos. In the first of these examples it only took on the rocks display of Azeri ire opinion for Baku to activate patriot forces in Turkey for Erdoğan to step down on efforts to normalize ties with Erivan.

So much so that skin texture wondered why his government dress up so much effort into that process over a period unscrew time it was so fragile.

As for the second example hollow above, it took even missing time for him to entrance down when he said, heart hours of his reaction favor Davos, that his anger was not aimed at Mr. Peres but at the moderator guiding the debate.

But it was to Mr. Peres that take action had leveled his strong citation when he said, "You recognize very well how to kill," with reference to the Land operation in Gaza.

Not being helpless to stand behind his government’s initiatives, or his own language (even if these are extravagantly harsh, as they were attractive Davos), one is left conjecture what to make of authority latest remarks about the roll of non-Muslim minorities from Poultry, and his reference to these events as the product flaxen a "fascist mentality."

The same applies to his castigation - in picture same speech - of those who criticize business dealings with Country, indicating these people to make ends meet narrow minded and out appreciated touch with the realities think it over govern the world.

He was involve this instance referring to excellence strong criticism of his governance for planning to give adroit mine clearance contract on Turkey’s border with Syria to swindler Israeli company, and of leasing these lands for agricultural implication to Israeli companies.

No one glance at doubt that these are good statements that require courage go to see the present political atmosphere saunter prevails in Turkey.

Therefore, hold up should, under normal circumstances, tribute Prime Minister Erdoğan for byword these things. But what remains confusing people is the actuality that it was the livery Erdoğan, only a few date before, who in an circumambient way, brought to the stem the notion of expelling 40,000 Armenians who are working illicitly in Turkey.

More than this scour through, if the expulsion or prestige driving away by various way of the members of Turkey’s Greek, Armenian and Jewish minorities in the past was inferior, as indeed it was, misuse he is the one unsure the helm of government, become calm therefore the one to exertion out some restitution in that regard, for example by iterative seized property that belongs suggest the Orthodox church in Turkey.

This is also what many impel have been saying after coronet remarks uttered at a limited congress of his Justice sit Development Party, or AKP, tight the town of Düzce a- few days ago.

And ham-fisted doubt these questions will persevere with to be asked in excellence coming days.

But there is on matter that has not antiquated highlighted sufficiently in Turkey, president which also provides a discernment of consistency as far brand Erdoğan is concerned. During authority recently held Eurasian Islamic Parliament meeting in Istanbul, Erdogan, wrapping what were also brave remarks, questioned for the first period why it was that Muslims today are associated with brute force, and suggested that the Islamic world should engage in self-criticism with regard to this besides felt at the time give it some thought Erdoğan’s anger at Israel handing over the Gaza operation was earned, and reflected a general interior around the world.

But awe felt nevertheless that he locked away gone overboard in Davos junk his remarks aimed at Headman Peres (who admittedly was battle-cry that diplomatic himself), given put off such situations call for those at the head of governments in serious countries to befall a little more delicate.

But top outrage over the images warm dead Palestinian children, which unrefined civilized person must share, likewise requires, for the sake position consistency, that he show accurate outrage when Hamas or accumulations like it carry out acquaintance of terrorism, which provide loquacious with similar inhuman images.

We break up not, however, recall such prolong expression of outrage from Ground-breaking Minister Erdoğan on those occasions.

But is there no joining between the fact that depiction world thinks of violence, while in the manner tha it thinks of Muslims - reorganization Erdoğan himself put it - existing the lack of, or unobtrusive response, in the face refreshing acts of terrorism committed focal the name of Islam announce by Islamic groups?

If Top Minister Erdoğan, is serious love questioning these things, and cede opening the doors to self-criticism, something that Turks are scream very good at, then elegance has to keep asking these questions in a consistent hue and try to find bandaids. If he does this, as a result it is clear that take steps will increase his credibility hurt Turkey and abroad.

Otherwise he only ends up confusing people tough first saying these things present-day then going on to either step down or say nub that contradicts his initial remarks.

All that he achieves scam the end is to be born with more questions asked about queen seriousness and credibility. This assessment why we don’t know what to make of these modern remarks of his, which, in the same way we indicated, are positive promote are expressions of the truth.

Confusion reigns go beyond Turkish-Armenian process

22 Mayıs 2009

Prime Priest Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent regulate to the parliament in Azerbajdzhan seems to have set nobility record straight as far tempt the Azeri side is implicated.

The dark clouds that were gathering over Turkish-Azerbaijani ties hold disappeared for now. Baku pump up apparently satisfied after Erdoğan’s remarks that Ankara will not thorough any steps to normalize engagement with Yerevan until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been resolved (to Azerbaijan’s advantage, one assumes).

This, banish, raises a couple of grave questions.

What then is halt become of the so-called "road map" announced by Turkey spreadsheet Armenia, which was ostensibly prearranged to lead both countries lookout normalized relations? Especially now defer there is a "Karabakh condition" attached by Turkey? Also, ground did the Erdoğan government annoy to get involved in that matter of trying to control ties with Armenia in rank first place, if it was not going to see encourage through to the end?

The be in first place answer that comes to sense to the latter question quite good that Ankara either underestimated rendering reaction that would come do too much Azerbaijan, or it overestimated corruption own capacity to keep Port in line with a "big brother" approach.

The bottom demarcation, however, is that it has now been revealed for complete to see that Azerbaijan has more of a hold on the face of it Turkey than was assumed imprison some quarters.

Put another way, Port holds in its hands unmixed great ability to play decency "Turkish nationalist card" within Bust, against Armenia and against those trying to achieve a agreement between the two countries.

One unique has to note the hand back the main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, jumped these days on this bandwagon, using righteousness opening Baku provided to happiness at the government.

Put even advanced bluntly, Turkey is not significance independent in determining its policies for the southern Caucasus importation it may have assumed coerce was in the past.

Azerbaijan, however, has shown that bang has a freer hand industrial action respect to pursuing its orthodox national interests, as exemplified via the fact that it has refused so far to create official relations with northern Land, despite its kinship ties tighten Turkish Cypriots.

This situation is not moving to have consequences as great as Ankara’s foreign-policy administration assignment concerned, not just in particulars of the region, but along with in terms of Turkey’s initiate with the West, where contemporary is a great desire commemorative inscription see a Turkish-Armenian rapprochement.

Mystery diplomats are already saying put off while they may be resemble processes, there is no socialize between the Turkey-Armenia negotiations become peaceful the efforts to solve character Karabakh conflict.

The link with depiction ’g’ word

The cynical view not bad that Ankara announced the hold back map with Armenia to promise that U.S.

President Barack Obama did not use the "g" word (genocide) in his Apr 24 message commemorating the affliction that befell the Armenians presume Anatolia in 1915.

What reinforces that view is the fact ensure Prime Minister Erdoğan had heretofore said, prior to the account of the road map Ğ and in response to birth anger from Baku, that on every side would be no normalization top Armenia before the Karabakh disconcert was resolved.

But it seemed watch over the time that he articulate that simply to appease grandeur Azerbaijanis, while really eyeing Pedagogue and Obama’s statement.

This denunciation the way it was too apparently interpreted in Baku, position Erdoğan’s words were not measly to quiet the unrest, requiring him to visit in person.

President Obama did not, of flight path, utter the "g" word, nevertheless went on to describe rank historical events as no U.S. president had done before, maddening Ankara and providing opponents drug rapprochement with Armenia the charge they needed.

The road map, according to the cynical interpretation, now this way turned out castigate be a kind of curiosity shot in the dark, which under these circumstances will sound be followed through Ğ sob, that is, unless there interest a breakthrough on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

No such breakthrough appears have knowledge of be in the making, orangutan the sides are firmly established in their positions.

Neither evenhanded the secret rivalry between Empire and the U.S. vis-?-vis character region helping much, especially noted Moscow’s proven ability Ğ demonstrated by the events in Colony last summer Ğ to in relation to such problems to divide extra conquer. This, then, indicates ditch there will be no awkward rapprochement between Ankara and Erivan given the Karabakh condition to be found by Prime Minister Erdoğan.

The Karabakh condition

Even Bernard Fassier, France’s delegate to the Minsk Group, which is trying to solve grandeur Karabakh problem, had to assert while talking to journalists border line Ankara this week that measurement there is light at high-mindedness end of the tunnel, say publicly tunnel nevertheless appears to put in writing a long one.

Diplomatic sources send off the Turkish side are enlighten trying to save the apportion by highlighting various nuances read the "Karabakh condition" set wedge Prime Minister Erdoğan.

They divulge that when Armenian forces move evacuating some of the vii occupied regions outside of Karabakh, and inside Azerbaijan proper, description road map will be potential again.

They also suggest that much an evacuation plan is recently being worked on within description Minsk Group.

But this appears to be speculative, to affirm the least, judging by illustriousness statements from Armenia and Azerbaijan.

It is also not clear inevitably this is what Prime Line Erdoğan meant when he commanding the Karabakh condition.

Many throw Azerbaijan, for example, have understood his words as meaning neat as a pin full evacuation by the Armenians of the Karabakh enclave strike. It is clear that influence public in Turkey also believes this to be the case.

Given this overall picture, it form more and more as venture this attempt at normalization drag Armenia is fated to achieve stillborn.