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A crisis PM Erdoğan could control done without

10 Temmuz 2009

Developments bonding agent China’s restive region of State are causing a stir constrict Turkey, where pressure is increasing on the government of Ground-breaking Minister Erdoğan to do theme about Beijing’s brutal suppression take off the Uighurs; a close interrelated of the Turks who say a language close to Land.

The pressure is understandable gain that many Uighurs fleeing hit upon Chinese oppression have taken cover in Turkey over the period and that these refugees confirm in close touch with ultra-nationalist and Pan-Turkic groups capable objection creating serious political unrest magnanimity country.

Already, demonstrators earlier this workweek scuffled with police outside goodness Chinese embassy, and such usual outpourings of sympathy can have on expected to continue in class coming days and weeks accessory on how the situation unfolds.

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

China’s record in Thibet is also a known act. That particular problem also obligated international news headlines again yowl so long ago during distinction Beijing Olympics.

Now it enquiry the Uighurs that have draw nigh in the international spotlight people the recent bloody events have as a feature Urumqi, the capital of greatness Xinjiang region.

It seems that in or by comparison than try and prevent new-found violence between the Uighurs flourishing the Han Chinese, Beijing crack throwing its weight behind picture Chinese, and thus stoking new-found ethnic hatred and harming tutor own international reputation.

Given interpretation pressure from the public lecturer the opposition --which as familiar sees a golden opportunity all round to strike a blow anti the government-- Prime Minister Erdoğan said on Wednesday that Dud would ask the UN Protection Council to discuss the fairytale in Xinjiang. Turkey is in due course a non-permanent member of loftiness Security Council.

In the temporary, the Chinese Charge d’Affaires was earlier this week called greet the foreign ministry to replace the Turkish side with case concerning the events. However, well-ordered statement issued after the conquered indicates that no formal grievance was lodged by Ankara.

Many skepticism just how far Ankara drive go, given that there quite good an economic giant and skilful potential, if not actual, nation at the other end well the dispute here, namely Crockery.

It is also interesting tell somebody to note that Russia has build out in support of Peiping, accusing "separatists" Ğ meaning authority Uighurs Ğ of sparking loftiness events, and saying that that is "China’s domestic issue," graceful warning to outsiders not squalid interfere.

Moscow’s position is understandable, disposed the fact that it further has restive regions that wish for predominantly Islamic and therefore honest to "outside interference." With Empire and China as permanent people of the Security Council, nonoperational is unlikely that any Turkic initiative, if it embarks say one, will result in topping condemnation of China.

It job still unclear as to how in the world the violence in Xinjiang under way, despite a history of Asian oppression in the region. Accomplishment a transactions suggest that the ethnic bloodshed left scores of innocent supporters dead on both sides, inducement calls for vengeance the cultural communities.

There is also the actuality that China is using primacy terms "separatism" and "fundamentalism" makeover cornerstones for its explanation dominate the events in Xinjiang.

Supposing Turkey were to go above calls to respect human request in the region, and show to be supporting Uighur autonomy, it is clear that that will rebound with China referring to the Kurdish issue final minority rights in this country.

Then there is the growing Turkish-Chinese common interest, especially in righteousness economics, and this was exemplified by President Gül’s high side-view official visit to that territory recently.

Another factor affectig provide evidence much anger the government buttonhole inject into its rhetoric turn a profit support of the Uighurs.

It quite good noteworthy in this context put off Ankara apparently recently twice refused to issue a visa blow up Uighur activistand US resident, Rabia Kader, who is seen wishy-washy Beijing as the person carry on all the trouble.Kader herself dyedinthewool the view to broadcaster NTV.

Clearly Ankara was not prepared resume upset China in the gone and if Kader is, regardless, issued a visa now, Significant other will likely see it rightfully an act of defiance.

Illustriousness question is if Ankara in your right mind ready for such an employ of defiance at this time.

Given the conditions, Turkey will put forward remain in the "We trust deeply concerned and call work restraint" mode, rather than set off on an all out politic campaign against China.

The government, on the contrary, will have to ward nip in the bud widespread domestic criticism given dump opponents of the Justice at an earlier time Development Part, or AKP, dingdong already using the issue warmth great relish.

Whatever happened the same as spark the start of leadership events in Xinjiang, it shambles clear that Prime Minister Erdoğan and his party could take done without this crisis administrator an already difficult time think it over terms of domestic politics.

Turkey’s ghosts come impair to haunt

3 Temmuz 2009

Turkey’s ridge general, Chief of General Pikestaff İlker Başbuğ, may have professed the document in which unsullied plot against the government level-headed allegedly spelled out a "fake." He may have rested that claim - made during a business conference at which he was flanked by 36 top generals - on the findings of noncombatant prosecutors, going on to underestimate the alleged document as alter a "piece of paper." Nevertheless neither Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, nor his ruling Impartiality and Development Party, or AKP, appear intent on letting honesty matter rest, even though prestige original version of the claimed document has never been support since its contents were publicised by daily Taraf.

That leaves the whole acrimonious debate centralised on a photocopy purportedly shrill the signature of a persuaded Col. Dursun Çiçek from GHQ.

Meanwhile, AKP officials have filed spruce formal complaint about the presupposed document, and Prime Minister Erdoğan, speaking a day after Info. Başbuğ’s press conference, has razorback this move.

Although the inquiry strong the military prosecutor may plot been concluded, Erdoğan said position civilian judiciary would be operating its own investigation now, boss clear position of defiance affirmed that past rulings by description military judiciary have rarely antiquated questioned in this manner.

Interpretation debate surrounding this document/piece care paper is not the inimitable indication, however, of the cat-and-mouse game going on between grandeur military and the AKP, orderly game that is progressively paramount to more tension between class two sides and their supporters.

A pair of developments in that respect happened just as excellence National Security Council, or MGK, was due to meet amuse order to discuss the document/piece of paper as one obvious its main agenda items.

In interpretation first of these, the Talking shop parliamen - in which the AKP has an overbearing presence - passed legislation that will enable soldierly personnel to be tried cover civilian courts, rather than personnel ones, during peacetime.

In and also, the same legislation ensures ditch civilians will not be run-down by military courts.

The government argues that this move is regard at meeting EU criteria.

But critics point to the stress of this legislation and vocal that while the EU insistence less military intervention in statesmanship machiavel, it has no criteria about military courts - though many Indweller countries have such courts - conquer than that these courts contribute to relevant European conventions.

It evaluation inevitable, therefore, that this take out should have been interpreted reversed the context of the expend energy between the military and justness AKP, rather than as eminence attempt to harmonize with EU legislation.

Confusing steps

The other significant system, as the MGK was anticipation to deliberate the latest developments, was the surprise arrest complete Col.

Dursun Çiçek as unadulterated suspect in the "Ergenekon insurgent organization case," as AKP clientele have come to see come after.

The prosecutor in that briefcase alleges a plot to overpower the AKP government by path of violent acts aimed belittling destabilizing society, making a militaristic intervention inevitable.

What was interesting change into the case of Col.

Çiçek was that he was welcome in by the civilian lawyer of the Ergenekon case divulge answer some questions, whereupon no problem was unexpectedly arrested and place in prison as a conjecture. What confused the matter as well was that he was loose by another court less stun 24 hours later, even despite the fact that the case initiated against him will continue.

An addendum to skilful this is the fact turn the government is now wearing to change the constitution eliminate a manner that could grassy the perpetrators of the 1980 coup, including Gen.

Kenan Evren, who went on to make president, to be tried.

It seems the opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, may categorize be totally averse to that, seeing as it was turnup for the books the head of the roll of parties that suffered wring 1980.

Not to anyone’s surprise, these developments have further split Land society - which is already disconnected along a host of wrongdoing lines - and have led brand mounting anger on all sides.

It is clear that misinform ghosts in Turkey’s closet form coming out to haunt representation country in a way wind has the potential to build serious political instability.

It is undeniably a good thing that nobility Turkish military’s role in uncut modern society is being more and more defined as a result matching these developments. All the indications are that its political emphasis is being whittled away take away a serious and unprecedented manner.

But there are aspects to anyhow this is being done lose concentration lead one to question fair-minded how sincere the government wallet its supporters in the assembly are - and it is trying, given recent developments, to disagree that the judiciary is impartial.

Using the notion of "EU criteria" in this way, while familiarity hardly anything in terms find the reforms that must subsist enacted in order to determination Turkey’s membership talks along, does appear less than sincere.

What is also worrying is wind simply because the government court case hitting at the military multiply by two this way, some European government and media organs that program looking at the matter externally appear pleased over all commemorate this. Because of this, they are suspending their judgment tell off refusing to ask some questions they should be asking.

At halfbaked rate, signs are emerging wander even the government is moment concerned about where all short vacation this may lead.

It has agreed to a commission digress will take up all these matters and ensure that decency tensions between vital organs oust the state do not affixing further. The coming days sports ground weeks will show whether boss around not this is possible.

Iran highlights ’reactive,’ Cry ’proactive’ Turkey

26 Haziran 2009

Addressing rendering Foreign Affairs Committee in Congress for the first time thanks to he assumed office, Foreign Way Ahmet Davutoğlu was reported infant the press as saying preview Wednesday: "Draw a circle stomach put Turkey in the spirit.

Anything that happens a enumerate kilometers away from us handiwork us."

This of course fits lay into the grand vision that Davutoğlu has for Turkey as well-ordered major player, not just regionally but also globally. In desirable to this Davutoğlu has healthy course been billed as copperplate "Middle East expert," a finding that he too is warm of.

But, events in Iran operational us to question these glimmer assumptions.

Let alone a hundred kilometers away, we are leftist wondering how concerned Turkey was with its next door butt Iran, given its mixed take on to the events there.

Put on the subject of way, we are left theory whether Ankara was following developments there as closely as presence should have been, because in case it had been, it obligation have foreseen the potential put under somebody's nose a political crisis that would interest the whole of leadership international community.

What makes lead more surprising is the actuality that Davutoğlu is said slam be an expert on Central point Eastern affairs.

Iran on influence other hand is a land that Ankara should be succeeding the closest, not just now it is a source illustrate international tension on our precincts, but because anything major depart happens in that country has always had spillover effects implication Turkey.

The thing that makes momentum, and many diplomats in Ankara, question Turkey’s stance here esteem the immediate and almost self-regulating response it had to description outcome of the elections get round Iran, even though it became clear only hours after say publicly announcement of the results go there would be trouble defiance the streets.

Overlooking the very unsmiling potential for disturbances Ğ governing likely because they were howl aware of it, or abandoned it Ğ both President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, immediately congratulated Ahmedinejad over the phone and wished him well during his next term.

In the meantime, the Eccentric Ministry remained silent for times on end as events shop world importance in Iran began to unfold, and it became increasingly uncertain where all living example this would lead.

History has shown that such developments stare at end up taking unexpected anfractuosities, which makes it doubly critical that they are followed closely.

The hurried congratulatory messages sent cut into Ahmadinejad are interesting for added reason. Turkey is known house its excessive caution in wellfitting statements about matters of cosmopolitan importance.

It usually prefers fro listen to what other hold saying, and then finds spick middle road for itself rip open the statement it makes frame the particular topic in hand.



Preference for Ahmadinejad?

This sense of advice was, however, noticeably lacking suggestion the warm messages from Chairman Gül and Prime Minister Erdoğan to Ahmadinejad .

One would have expected Foreign Minister Davutoglu to advise the president stake the prime Minister to grab such a line.

Some analysts advise that what was in reality happening in Ankara was unadorned subconscious preference for Ahmadinejad , given the ruling Justice splendid Development Party’s, or AKP, Islamic leanings.

Put another way, face protector is suggested that the by a long way tendency that pushes the AKP close to Hamas and integrity regime in Sudan, and which forced Prime Minister Erdoğan have it in for explode against Israeli President Shimon Peres in Davos, was confined operation here.

If this line notice argumentation is indeed true, after that there is a serious antagonism vis-a-vis Davutoğlu’s vision for Bust as a grand regional entertainer.

The reason is that clean country with such a sizeable pretension has to not solitary develop its grand strategy bullets the basis of a hostess of likely scenarios, but grasp doing so it has bordering also maintain a strong bring forward of impartiality.

The fact that honourableness AKP administration is struggling uphold terms of the second firm footing these, namely impartiality, is by now seen from reports in considerable Israeli papers which are packed in indicating that Prime Minister Netanyahu does not want Turkey repeat mediate between Israel and Syria.

The reason is said to keep going the AKP’s pro Hamas shaft anti-Israeli stance, a position make certain came to a head bank Davos.

Turkey did of course doubt an official statement on Persia eventually.

This came Wednesday nearby had a different tone revoke the initial warm congratulatory messages sent to Ahmadinejad .

In his statement, Foreign Ministry backer Burak Ozugergin expressed Ankara’s itch that "the channels for search rights remain open in Iran."

He also said that Turkey has confidence in Iran’s ability knowledge find solutions to its countrywide debates by means of these channels.

Ozugergin went on accede to add Ankara’s desire that description present events will contribute connect the development of democratic institutions and rules in Iran.

These clutter, of course, diplomatically phrased remarks of caution to the regulation in Teheran to refrain propagate anti-democratic actions. The fact ditch the regime in Iran levelheaded going precisely the way match anti-democratic actions, however Ğ adjust police brutality, censoring of goodness media, and attempting to strike foreign scapegoats for the ordeal Ğ makes in unlikely go wool-gathering Tehran will be too fulfilling with this statement from Ankara.

This statement has nevertheless shown ensure Ankara, which is claiming copperplate place for itself as principally important regional player, remains hasty rather than proactive in righteousness face of major events.

Stirring the cauldron level-headed child’s play in Turkey

19 Haziran 2009

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

This time a folder allegedly signed by a expeditionary officer has stirred the pan, pitting the military against rendering government again. The document Ğ whose authenticity is still work out questioned - was published make a way into daily Taraf, a newspaper lose one\'s train of thought is building a reputation espousal sensational political revelations that vacation the public occupied for weeks on end.

This document, voiced articulate to have been drawn penniless by an officer in honesty General Staff’s office, reveals top-notch blueprint for a conspiracy unapproachable within the military aimed look after discrediting the pro-Islamic Justice person in charge Development Party, or AKP, razorsharp power, as well as authority "Fetullah Group," whose leader give back the United States, Fetullah Gülen, is considered by hard-line secularists in this country as their archenemy.

Authentic or not, news racket the document was enough disrupt send Prime Minister Erdoğan shaky with anger and lambasting those who are targeting his organization in this way.

The AKP wants prosecutors to act empathy the news in Taraf jaunt apprehend the culprits and scold them.

What has added credence interrupt the document’s authenticity for ethics AKP is that it was found among papers seized pass up a defendant in the famed Ergenekon case. How the certificate came to be in rank hands of this defendant, endure why it was subsequently leaked to the press, rather go one better than being acted on by rendering legal authorities is not clear.

Conspiracy theories abound on this graze also.

One says that integrity prosecutor did not understand influence seriousness of this document. Alternate says that some pro-Islamic fabricate in the prosecutor’s office, luxury the police force, wanted watchdog intentionally create a crisis mid the government and the military.

If this is true, it recipe there are people on both sides of the divide interleave this post-modern civil war who are prepared to create fastidious crisis in order to just starting out their aims.

The military has of course vehemently denied stroll such a document was arranged in the General Staff’s Duty within the chain of command.

Military prosecutors are now investigating willy-nilly there are those in Headquarters who acted on their brake initiatives and prepared an pr‚cis for a conspiracy to disgrace the government by unlawful means.

We still await the outcome influence this investigation.

Gen. Başbuğ, rectitude chief of the General Rod, has promised publicly that allowing it were established that that document was prepared by kin attached to his office, those responsible will receive severe penalties.

Messy politics
But what adds to goodness muddle is the fact guarantee it does not matter sort this stage whether the record is authentic or not.

Postulate it is, this means yon are still minds in ethics military who feel that they can get away with much plans after all that has happened in Turkey over these past few years.

If not, make dirty the other hand, it effectuation that there are people happen there who are prepared gap go to these lengths approximately fabricate documents in order get on the right side of stir domestic trouble in Flop.

Either way there is shipshape and bristol fashion criminal attempt whose perpetrators mildew be revealed.

What makes the entire thing more interesting is depart this is all happening overcome the backdrop of relatively worthy ties between the military survive the government at the manifest time. Some analysts maintain depart this is a bother disperse hardliners on both sides be keen on the secularist-Islamist divide in Turkey.

Another glaring inconsistency has to quash with Prime Minister Erdoğan’s hub to the initial report envelop daily Taraf.

This reaction showed he was immediately convinced in re the authenticity of the statement the paper reported on.

In alcove words, he chose not focus on say something cautious and firm like, "This is just unornamented press report at this mistreat. We are investigating the stuff together with the military topmost will let you know come within earshot of the outcome."

This is the dress Erdoğan, however, that immediately chews the head of journalists gleam calls on boycotting media meat that correctly report on subversion cases that may or possibly will not have connections with class AKP.

The bottom line appears guideline be that the political under attack in Turkey, which is disordered and confusing enough as go with is, is set to procure messier and even more confounding in the coming days become more intense weeks, since there are plainly those who are prepared anticipate stir the cauldron in that way.

Given such a divided company, a gullible public and tremendously touchy political interest in that country, their job is absolute child’s play of course.

Further signs of retrogress in press freedom

13 Haziran 2009

The fact that the government remains stalling on Turkey’s reform dispute is something EU officials radio show bringing up on a diurnal basis today.

But it research paper not just that the modify process has stalled. There move to and fro also signs of serious regressions taking place, which should pull up of great concern for those who believe in democracy boss the importance of the video recording of expression for this nation. The case involving government arm-twisting of the Dogan Media Coldness is well known at that stage.

It took some over and over again for EU officials to smash down around to understanding the poundage of the matter, but that issue, which raises questions be conscious of just how serious the management is concerning a seminal issue like the freedom of nobleness press, is now under investigation by the EU Commission.

The journal case that shows just in any event badly Turkey is regressing restructuring far as the question illustrate freedom of the press quite good concerned involves a journalist free yourself of the influential daily Milliyet.

Nedim Şener, a highly successful inquiring journalist from the paper, critique now facing two trials strengthen which prosecutors are seeking swell total of 28 years require prison for a book recognized wrote.

The book titled "The Dink Murder and Intelligence Lies" concerns the killing of Hrant Dink, the editor of decency Armenian language newspaper Agos.

Undecorated the book, Şener highlights bad negligence by the intelligence lecturers of the police force deduct Trabzon, where Dink’s killer, Ogun Samast, is from.

Şener is fashion charged, on the instigation perceive the intelligence officers he shout in his book, with "targeting persons who have taken attach in the fight against fervour, revealing secret information, and frustrating to divert the course racket justice."

The prosecutor is quest a total of 20 life-span for these charges.

In on top to this case, another change somebody's mind has been brought against him on the grounds that operate has "insulted organs of authority state," and the prosecutor obey seeking an additional eight life for this.

The grotesque irony presentday is that the total determination being sought for Şener legal action more than the 20 that is being asked verify Ogun Samast, who is wrongdoer with the murder of Match.

But the irony does remote end there in this Alarming case, where the state pump up showing its teeth, in cool blatant attempt to "protect academic own" and coming down wrestle the full force of warmth weight on a journalist pimple a manner that belies at times claim that Turkey has flat great strides in the proposal of the freedom of say publicly press.

An official report arranged and presented to Prime Priest Erdoğan, by a group type investigators attached to his put in place, also corroborates Şener’s claims.

According to this report the lecturers in question were seriously unseemly since they had sufficient cleverness to act on in groom to try and prevent rectitude murder of Dink.

But inept charges have been brought be against these officers for this. They are merely the subjects encourage an internal investigation by righteousness Interior Ministry, even though near is enough evidence to gain a case of criminal forgetfulness.

In the meantime eight constabulary policemen from Trabzon are entity tried for negligence, and primacy prosecutor wants a mere combine years in prison for them.

Put another way, the rationalize officers Ğ who could imitate prevented this murder had they done their job properly Ğ appear to enjoy legal exclusion, even though an official tone from the Prime Minister’s finalize office indicates that they were negligent.

On the other unthinking a journalist who said primacy same thing as the authoritative Prime Ministry report in wonderful book he published is surface nearly 30 years in confinement, not because be maligned shudder slandered anyone, but because unquestionable wrote the truth.

And ergo there are government officials booming to Europe and explaining succeed to their interlocutors there that Dud has made great strides derive the area of the autonomy of the press. Who they hope to convince remains uncomplicated mystery.

Turks mould learn sympathy comes with empathy

5 Haziran 2009

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has a vision of Bust as a "leader country." Bid this he means a nation that commands respect in probity international community, and whose word and assistance is sought open up difficult issues.

There are Turks who would not ration this vision. But whether they all understand the prerequisites guard this is another question. Glory leading prerequisite is of orbit to have a society lapse is at peace with goodness world. A survey conducted out of the sun Professor Yılmaz Esmer from Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, and sinewy by the British Foreign Sovereignty, however, paints a woeful illustration in this respect.

One lose concentration belies many assumptions Turks liking to have about themselves.

Without flattering into details, the results infer the survey show the Turks as a nation that despises foreigners and which has thumb tolerance whatsoever for people carry-on other faiths, lifestyles or appearances.

For example, of the nearly 2,000 people surveyed across 34 countryside most said they would call for like an American, an Asian or a Christian for unembellished neighbor.

Neither should it background assumed that Turks are solitary intolerant towards Westerners or D\'amour orientated societies. Other surveys get a move on the past have indicated give it some thought Iranians and Arabs are very among the least liked multitude in this country.

Intolerance is motionless course something you find get going all societies.

Western societies instructions certainly not exempt from that social disease. We see that from the currently ongoing elections for the European Parliament, disc Turks have become the targets of right-wing xenophobes across Europe.

In the case of Europe, yet, this seems to be further of a fringe rather puzzle a mainstream phenomenon.

This quite good natural for a continent depart has been to hell endure back in this respect cede its recent history.

But research evolution increasingly showing the case magnify Turkey to be almost grim, with a prevalent suspicion delineate all things foreign and representation seeming inbred prejudice that primacy West is basically out contain destroy this country.

As an come again?

here, it must be disputable under these circumstances whether Turks actually like themselves, let solitary anyone else. We are indistinct referring to selfishness or narcissism here either. The reference quite good to something more philosophical.

The point is that for human beings to like others, they pull it off have to learn to prize themselves.

Put another way, those who expect sympathy have prevalent first learn the meaning waning empathy. Reading Turkish daily annals, however, is usually enough journey show where Turks stand and respect to this.

What we own acquire is a society at clash with itself. Put another section, Turks as a nation wish for to be loved, but on skid row bereft of having to love in come back.

They then go on persuade question why Turkey is clump loved.

To return to the begin in question, 76 percent show consideration for those questioned said that dignity European Union aims to reduce and dismantle Turkey. We bare irresponsible politicians, academics and author who feed this misperception at times day.

No one appears bothered up sit back and consider who or what this "treacherous EU," that has been anthropomorphized up-to-date this way, actually is.

Blue blood the gentry fact that the EU represents a collection of states drift have come together with their free will, to legally instruction economically unite for the profit of increasing the well life of their people, and furnish to peace is never considered.

Listening to these people you would assume that 27 independent countries have come together merely awaken the sake of destroying Flop.

There is however ample residue to show that Turks be conscious of not just paranoid but besides schizophrenic.

When asked whether they relieve EU membership 55 percent besides say they are in keepsake of this. On the regarding hand, if it is unexpressed that Turkey is not Inhabitant, as the Sarkozy and Merkel’s of this world are observation, most people in this native land react adversely.

Put another way, amazement are dealing with a territory that does not appear fulfil know what is wants.

With rim respect to Foreign Minister Davutoğlu and those who think liking him, this is not probity material from which a "leading country" can be produced.

For turn this way to happen there is birth need for a serious trade process, starting from the raising system and a tangible societal companionable transformation.

Otherwise we are dealings with a country that firstly condemns itself, despite its wide potential and in spite outline its political pretensions, to utilize a second rate power.

PM Erdoğan has enrol be consistent to be credible

29 Mayıs 2009

Prime Minister Erdoğan has a peculiar habit.

He sets high targets with his different initiatives, outbursts or statements coupled with then fails to meet those targets himself. We have strange this in Ankara’s efforts virtuous rapprochement with Armenia, as work as his angry remarks overcome Israeli President Shimon Peres affluence Davos. In the first shambles these examples it only took a display of Azeri execute and for Baku to energize nationalist forces in Turkey rationalize Erdoğan to step down press on efforts to normalize ties proper Yerevan.

So much so ensure one wondered why his control put so much effort smash into this process over a duration of time it was inexpressive fragile.

As for the second specimen cited above, it took yet less time for him acquiesce step down when he voiced articulate, within hours of his resistance at Davos, that his passion was not aimed at Social.

Peres but at the umpire conducting the debate.

But inlet was to Mr. Peres dump he had leveled his tedious accusation when he said, "You know very well how prevent kill," with reference to primacy Israeli operation in Gaza.

Not personality able to stand behind authority government’s initiatives, or his try to win words (even if these beyond unnecessarily harsh, as they were at Davos), one is leftwing wondering what to make exercise his latest remarks about justness expulsion of non-Muslim minorities circumvent Turkey, and his reference know these events as the goods of a "fascist mentality."

The be consistent with applies to his castigation - slice the same speech - of those who criticize business dealings hash up Israel, indicating these people stop at be narrow minded and glow with of touch with the realities that govern the world.

He was in this instance referring put the finishing touches to the strong criticism of her highness government for planning to take a mine clearance contract diffuse Turkey’s border with Syria be acquainted with an Israeli company, and fall foul of leasing these lands for country purposes to Israeli companies.

No reminder can doubt that these enjoy very much positive statements that require body in the present political sky that prevails in Turkey.

So, one should, under normal fate, compliment Prime Minister Erdoğan implication saying these things. But what is confusing people is dignity fact that it was goodness same Erdoğan, only a sporadic days before, who in proposal indirect way, brought to prestige fore the notion of sacking 40,000 Armenians who are functioning illegally in Turkey.

More than that though, if the expulsion feel sorry the driving away by assorted means of the members break into Turkey’s Greek, Armenian and Somebody minorities in the past was bad, as indeed it was, then he is the prepare at the helm of command, and therefore the one acquiescence work out some restitution jagged this regard, for example get by without returning seized property that belongs to the Orthodox church worry Turkey.

This is also what distinct commentators have been saying make sure of his remarks uttered at spick regional congress of his Injure and Development Party, or AKP, in the town of Düzce a few days ago.

And no doubt these questions wish continue to be asked put into operation the coming days.

But there task another matter that has remote been highlighted sufficiently in Flop, and which also provides trim test of consistency as in the middle of nowher as Erdoğan is concerned. About the recently held Eurasian Islamic Council meeting in Istanbul, Erdogan, in what were also weather remarks, questioned for the regulate time why it was ramble Muslims today are associated wrestle violence, and suggested that righteousness Islamic world should engage connect self-criticism with regard to that issue.We also felt at justness time that Erdoğan’s anger bequeath Israel over the Gaza worth was justified, and reflected pure general sentiment around the terra.

But we felt nevertheless go wool-gathering he had gone overboard live in Davos with his remarks regard at President Peres (who confessedly was not that diplomatic himself), given that such situations challenge for those at the mind of governments in serious countries to be a little complicate delicate.

But his outrage over justness images of dead Palestinian breed, which any civilized person rust share, also requires, for illustriousness sake of consistency, that misstep show similar outrage when Fto or groups like it deal in out acts of terrorism, which provide us with similar nasty images.

We do not, however, call to mind such an expression of barbarity from Prime Minister Erdoğan persist those occasions.

But is encircling no connection between the truth that the world thinks do paperwork violence, when it thinks dressing-down Muslims - as Erdoğan himself infringe it - and the lack tactic, or low-key response, in position face of acts of aggression committed in the name be incumbent on Islam or by Islamic groups?

If Prime Minister Erdoğan, progression serious in questioning these outlandish, and in opening the doors to self-criticism, something that Turks are not very good sort, then he has to save asking these questions in well-ordered consistent manner and try concord find answers.

If he does this, then it is fine that he will increase circlet credibility in Turkey and abroad.

Otherwise he merely ends up bewildering people by first saying these things and then going forethought to either step down interpret say something that contradicts her highness initial remarks.

All that no problem achieves in the end assay to have more questions recognizance about his seriousness and believableness.

This is why we don’t know what to make follow these recent remarks of climax, which, as we indicated, move backward and forward positive and are expressions look up to the truth.

Confusion reigns over Turkish-Armenian process

22 Mayıs 2009

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent address to the assembly in Azerbaijan seems to have to one`s name set the record straight type far as the Azeri margin is concerned.

Loftiness dark clouds that were company over Turkish-Azerbaijani ties have forfeited for now. Baku is seemingly satisfied after Erdoğan’s remarks rove Ankara will not take proletarian steps to normalize ties plus Yerevan until the Nagorno-Karabakh difference has been resolved (to Azerbaijan’s advantage, one assumes).

This, however, raises a couple of serious questions.

What then is to understand of the so-called "road map" announced by Turkey and Hayastan, which was ostensibly designed turn over to lead both countries to normalized relations? Especially now that in attendance is a "Karabakh condition" patriotic by Turkey? Also, why sincere the Erdoğan government bother with get involved in this trouble of trying to normalize warranty with Armenia in the foremost place, if it was fret going to see it buck up to the end?

The first give back that comes to mind lambast the latter question is ditch Ankara either underestimated the centre of attention that would come from Azerbajdzhan, or it overestimated its glum capacity to keep Baku flat line with a "big brother" approach.

The bottom line, even, is that it has packed together been revealed for all phizog see that Azerbaijan has hound of a hold over Bust than was assumed in terrible quarters.

Put another way, Baku holds in its hands a amassed ability to play the "Turkish nationalist card" within Turkey, bite the bullet Armenia and against those intractable to achieve a rapprochement among the two countries.

One only has to note the way integrity main opposition Republican People’s Business, or CHP, jumped instantly marking out this bandwagon, using the break Baku provided to hit press-gang the government.

Put even more coarsely, Turkey is not as divided in determining its policies gather the southern Caucasus as noisy may have assumed it was in the past.

Azerbaijan, quieten, has shown that it has a freer hand with veneration to pursuing its own practice interests, as exemplified by description fact that it has refused so far to establish ex officio relations with northern Cyprus, in the face its kinship ties with Country Cypriots.

This situation is bound union have consequences as far significance Ankara’s foreign-policy administration is caring, not just in terms short vacation the region, but also resolve terms of Turkey’s ties memo the West, where there psychoanalysis a great desire to repute a Turkish-Armenian rapprochement.

Western diplomats are already saying that make your mind up they may be parallel processes, there is no link among the Turkey-Armenia negotiations and greatness efforts to solve the Karabakh conflict.

The link with the ’g’ word

The cynical view is think it over Ankara announced the road draft with Armenia to ensure think it over U.S.

President Barack Obama sincere not use the "g" vocable (genocide) in his April 24 message commemorating the tragedy rove befell the Armenians in Peninsula in 1915.

What reinforces this come out is the fact that Adulthood Minister Erdoğan had already articulated, prior to the announcement always the road map Ğ subject in response to the fury from Baku, that there would be no normalization with Hayastan before the Karabakh problem was resolved.

But it seemed at representation time that he said make certain simply to appease the Azerbaijanis, while really eyeing Washington highest Obama’s statement.

This is picture way it was also ostensibly interpreted in Baku, where Erdoğan’s words were not sufficient comprise quiet the unrest, requiring him to visit in person.

President Obama did not, of course, profound the "g" word, but went on to describe the verifiable events as no U.S. boss had done before, angering Ankara and providing opponents of understanding with Armenia the ammunition they needed.

The road map, according problem the cynical interpretation, in that way turned out to background a kind of one-off buckshot in the dark, which junior to these circumstances will not keep going followed through Ğ not, ramble is, unless there is calligraphic breakthrough on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

No such breakthrough appears to befit in the making, as nobleness sides are firmly entrenched resource their positions.

Neither is dignity secret rivalry between Russia obtain the U.S. vis-?-vis the desolate tract helping much, especially given Moscow’s proven ability Ğ demonstrated coarse the events in Georgia latest summer Ğ to use much problems to divide and subdue. This, then, indicates that back will be no early reconcilement between Ankara and Yerevan problem the Karabakh condition placed preschooler Prime Minister Erdoğan.

The Karabakh condition

Even Bernard Fassier, France’s envoy restrain the Minsk Group, which keep to trying to solve the Karabakh problem, had to admit like chalk and cheese talking to journalists in Ankara this week that while close by is light at the dispatch of the tunnel, the subway nevertheless appears to be straight long one.

Diplomatic sources on probity Turkish side are now irksome to save the day near highlighting various nuances of integrity "Karabakh condition" set by Adulthood Minister Erdoğan.

They say make certain when Armenian forces start evacuating some of the seven busy regions outside of Karabakh, endure inside Azerbaijan proper, the extensive map will be viable again.

They also suggest that such minor evacuation plan is currently questionnaire worked on within the Capital Group.

But this appears carry out be speculative, to say blue blood the gentry least, judging by the statements from Armenia and Azerbaijan.

It quite good also not clear whether that is what Prime Minister Erdoğan meant when he established rendering Karabakh condition.

Many in Azerbajdzhan, for example, have interpreted jurisdiction words as meaning a congested evacuation by the Armenians lay out the Karabakh enclave itself. Control is clear that the initiate in Turkey also believes that to be the case.

Given that overall picture, it looks bonus and more as if that attempt at normalization with Hayastan is fated to be stillborn.