TURKEY: GOOD ENOUGH FOR NATO, BUT NOT FOR THE EU?
(Foreign Media Reaction Daily Digest - 14 March 1997)
The European media has run up warning flags over the
ongoing struggle between Turkey's Islamist prime minister
and his country's generals over demands that he toe the
country's traditional secularist line and Ankara's
statement that it would block NATO enlargement if its
European Union (EU) candidacy is rejected. Painfully aware
of Turkey's strategic importance as the southeastern
bulwark of Europe and NATO, commentators hoped that the
military and Prime Minister Erbakan would arrive at an
amicable understanding, thus preventing a coup. An army
takeover, London's conservative Times said, "would be a
disastrous setback for Turkish democracy and encourage
Islamic underground fanaticism." Journalists fretted that
Ankara's NATO threat would add yet another complication to
an enlargement to the East already made difficult by
Russia's determined opposition. Mass-appeal weekly Magyar
Narancs of Budapest worried that Turkey's importance to
NATO might outweigh the claims of Hungary and other NATO
candidates. "The Turkish military," it admitted, "is far
more valuable that the miserable 'operetta-militaries' of
the three Central European countries likely to be invited."
In Moscow, centrist Nezavisimaya Gazeta judged that the
Turkish move "is welcome news to Russia, which, fighting a
lone hand, has so far been unable to make NATO abandon its
plans." Turkish observers, convinced that "integration
with Europe is the highest priority objective of Turkish
foreign policy today," doubted that their government's
pairing of the NATO "card" with the EU application would
yield results. Mass-appeal Sabah wondered, "Why is Turkey
attracting the wrath, not only of the EU, but all the NATO
countries, including...the U.S.?"
Writers were also torn between the perceived need to
satisfy Turkey and resentment of what Brussels's liberal
weekly Knack dubbed "a classic example of Ottoman
blackmail." Resentment also surfaced in their criticism of
the U.S., which in recent statements by Secretary of State
Albright and the State Department spokesman championed
Turkey's case before the EU. Most editorials rejected the
U.S. comments as "inappropriate interference" in EU affairs
and defended the EU stand regarding Ankara's human rights
record and its history of conflict with EU member Greece.
Social Democratic Arbeiderbladet of Oslo declared, "Weighty
reasons militate against Turkish EU membership, including
its occupation of Cyprus, its human rights violations, and
the war against the Kurds." Center-left, pro-Pasok
Kiriakatiki Elevtherotipia of Athens eagerly seized on this
theme: "The main goal is Turkey's democratization....
This and only this is the road to a substantive approach
with Europe." Centrist Tribune de Gen ve, in turn, bared
what it judged were the real reasons behind European
opposition: "Europe...will do all within its means to
keep Turkey out of the 'Christian club.'" This assumption
appeared confirmed by a fresh rejection of Turkey's EU bid
at last week's gathering of leaders of European Christian
Democratic parties. Istanbul's mass-appeal, sensationalist
Sabah charged, "Christian Democrats are trying to isolate
Turkey from Europe because of religious biases." Regional
radio Hessischer Rundfunk of Frankfurt lamented, "(German
Chancellor) Kohl and his friends...again gave evidence of
the small-mindedness of the Europeans in strategic
questions.... This was an unwise move."
This survey is based on 39 reports from 14 countries, Jan.
29-March 14.
EDITOR: Mildred Sola Neely
EUROPE
TURKEY: "Albright Praised Ataturk"
Papers front-paged stories on Secretary Albright quoting
the founder of the secular Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk, at a conference on International Women's Day,
Yasemin Congar said in mass-appeal Milliyet (3/14),
"Secretary Albright mentioned Ataturk while she was
elaborating on the role of women in the modern world.
Addressing a very high-level audience, including Mrs.
Clinton, Secretary Albright talked about the role of women
internationally in the social, political and economic
spheres. She said that democracy is inadequate if women do
not participate equally. She stated, 'As Kemal Ataturk
said, you cannot reach the modern world by modernizing only
half of the population. ' This speech was a good response
to the Europeans as well, since they claim that Turkish
civilization is different from the European."
"U.S. Is On The Attack, Europe Is Nervous"
Following Nicholas Burns's most recent statement supporting
Turkey's membership in the EU, Yalcin Dogan observed under
the headline above in mass-appeal Milliyet (3/13),
"Washington sent classified cables to all its European
missions. The messages asked the ambassadors to work on
Ankara's EU application and to make sure that Turkey will
be listed among candidates. The United States is doing
this in a bipartisan way. Whichever party were in charge,
Washington would act in the same way. The reason is
simple: The United States does not want to experience
another Iran or Algiers; it does not want to lose Turkey.
That's why it is putting every possible pressure on the
Europeans to convince them of a multinational and
multiracial Europe."
"Turkey Is Part Of Europe: Let's Fight For What Is Just"
Mehmet Ali Birand held in mass-appeal, sensationalist Sabah
(3/13), "Christian Democrats are trying to isolate Turkey
from Europe because of religious biases. We have to fight
against this attitude. Turkey is a part of Europe, but,
oddly enough, Europe has been fooling us for 34 years
saying, 'One day, you will be a member.' If the EU does
not put Turkey on its 11-country candidate list, it will be
a grave mistake. Let's fight for what is just and right.
I am giving you an address list for the EU. Write to every
one of them, including the White House, and show them that
we are determined on this."
"Europe And Blackmail"
Cengiz Candar told readers of mass-appeal, sensationalist
Sabah (3/11), "Turkey's policy toward the EU is a blurry
picture. The prime minister and his deputy are projecting
two different views. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Ciller is persisting with her blackmail policy and
threatening multinational companies with the boycot of
German goods. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erbakan says
clearly how happy he is with Germany. He thinks that the
world is about to be reshaped completely and that Turkey
and Germany could easily work together on this. Can you
imagine such a foreign policy?"
"We Should Continue Relations With Europe"
On page one of pro-Islamic Zaman (3/11), Fehmi Koru
insisted, "We should challenge the European Union's
tendency to isolate Turkey from the Union. Even if we are
not accepted as a member of the EU, we should continue
relations with Europe. Even when things go wrong with the
EU, this should not be a cause to draw closer to the United
States."
"U.S. Model: Pluralism? Secularism?"
Turkish papers have recently focused on the U.S. "model" of
secularism because high-level
Refah Party (Welfare) officials were quoted as saying that
"Turkey needs a secularism modeled on that of the United
States." Yasemin Congar pointed out in mass-appeal
Milliyet (3/3), "The Refah Party has repeatedly claimed
that it wants a 'U.S. type of secularism,' pointing solely
to the example that American presidents are sworn in with
one hand on the Bible. Putting aside Refah's vague
explanation, let's look at what the American model of
secularism is, exactly? The United States includes almost
all of the religions in the world. In terms of national
integrity, secularism seems to be the only way for the
United States. The first article of the American
Constitution clearly states that the Congress can neither
establish a religion nor prevent a religion from being
freely practiced. According to political scientists, an
American president speaks for 'a civil religion' embracing
all Americans when he says 'God bless America.' It seems
that what Turkey really needs is the term 'pluralism.'"
"Integration With Europe At The Top Of Turkey's Diplomatic
Agenda"
Sami Kohen said in mass-appeal Milliyet (2/18), "This week
will be an important watershed in Turkey's relations with
Europe and the United States, or, in general terms, with
the West. This 'exam week' coincides with new U.S.
Secretary of State Albright's putting Turkey's place in the
Western community, along with many other international
issues, on her agenda during her first overseas visit.
One element of exam week is the special NATO foreign
ministers' meeting to be held in Brussels today. In the
course of discussions on NATO's 'expansion' policy, Foreign
Minister Tansu Ciller will try to explain why and under
what circumstances Turkey may be forced to play its 'NATO
card.'...
"In the words of Onur Oymen, the under secretary of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relations with Europe will
remain 'at the top of Turkey's diplomatic agenda.' What
that means is that integration with Europe is the highest
priority objective of Turkish foreign policy today. The
presence of the Welfare Party at the head of the Turkish
government as the senior coalition partner does not change
this objective and its priority, at least for now. Prime
Minister Necmettin Erbakan's recent warning to NATO
Secretary General Solana that 'we will oppose NATO's
expansion policy if the EU does not open its doors to
Turkey' suggests that even the Refah [Welfare Party] leader
has endorsed integration with Europe as Ankara's primary
goal--contrary to what he said in the past."
"Turkey, NATO And The EU"
Cengiz Candar commented in mass-appeal Sabah (2/4), "We
were at NATO headquarters in Brussels a few days ago.... A
NATO official referred to the July 8-9 meeting in Madrid as
the 'most important summit in NATO's history.' In other
words, we are very close to the most important summit in
NATO's half century of life and how can Turkey shape its
relations with NATO through 'threats' and 'blackmail'?
Why? Because Turkey's EU membership is not guaranteed.
But NATO is one thing and the EU is something quite
different.... Why is Turkey attracting the wrath, not only
of the EU, but all the NATO countries, including non-EU
member like the United States, and Central and East
European countries?... Pursuing a policy linking NATO to
the EU is not only wrong but stupid as well. What one
ought to ask, in fact, is: 'Is it necessary for Turkey to
be a full EU member?'"
"A Game That May End In Disappointment"
Sami Kohen cautioned in mass-appeal Milliyet (2/4), "It is
very risky to play an EU gambit with the NATO card. This
game may end in disappointment."
GERMANY: "Christian Occident Slams The Door On Turkey"
Peter Pastorius commented on regional radio Hessischer
Rundfunk of Frankfurt (3/6): "The Christian Occident has
slammed the door in Turkey's face with a loud bang. The
holy alliance
of the Christian Democratic Party and government leaders
with Helmut Kohl at the top used brutal frankness and told
the Turks that they would never be able to join the
European Union.... But Turkey is already a member of the
Customs Union with the EU, and the vast internal market
ends at the external borders of Turkey. Turkey is a
member of NATO and...has increasingly turned into a
bridgehead to the world of Islamic fundamentalism....
"Nobody will be able to reverse this decision of the
Christian Democratic leaders. Kohl and his friends have
put their foot down, and again gave evidence of the small-
mindedness of the Europeans in strategic questions. With
the enlargement to the East, the EU already has enough
problems.... This was an unwise move. Europe is now
closing its borders. And human rights are a welcome
pretext. If Turkey does not really drift to the camp of
radicals, then the second worst solution would be to set
up a special relationship with Russia, and Europe would
have to pay dearly for such a relationship."
"Rejection Carries A Price"
Stefan Avenarius maintained in an editorial in centrist
Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (3/6), "Only Dutch Foreign
Minister van Mierlo dared to tell the truth. Turkey is an
Islamic country, which is the reason why it has no seat in
the European Union. We can be surprised at these
arguments, since we can wonder whether we still live in the
era of the crusades.... It is a fact that the doors will
remain closed for Turkey. But the Europeans should be
aware of the fact that such a sharp rejection will have
its price. Turkey is more than a country of migrant
workers. For the West, Turkey is a strategically
important country at the crossroads between Russia, the
Middle East and Central Asia. This is why Europe must
offer compensations that will offer Turkey advantages,
otherwise Turkey will turn to other neighbors."
"A Russo-Turkish Alliance?"
Centrist General-Anzeiger of Bonn carried this editorial
comment (2/7) by Thomas Wittke regarding the success of the
Madrid summit in furthering NATO's enlargement: "If the
concept fails because of a Russian-Turkish alliance, a
massive loss of NATO's authority would be inevitable."
"U.S., Turkey And EU"
Bernd Pickert said in a front-page editorial in left-of-
center Die Tageszeitung of Berlin (1/31), "The U.S.
government is deeply concerned--and has fallen hard. The
day before yesterday, Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu
Ciller embarrassed her European colleagues and said that
Turkey would block NATO's enlargement to the East if
Turkey is not accepted in the EU. This is a brazen
blackmail attempt. Now State Department spokesman Nicholas
Burns called upon the EU not to make human rights questions
an obstacle to Turkey's acceptance in the EU. He added
that, for strategic reasons, Turkey's position in Europe
needs to be strengthened. This is a kowtow to the foreign
minister whose reputation has been ruined long since....
The United States plays Turkey's tune, because it needs
cooperation with the Turkish NATO partner regarding Iraq
and is also trying to play a mediator role in the Cyprus
conflict....
"Currently, nobody wants to accept Turkey in the EU. As
long as the conflict with Greece over Cyprus and the
controversial problems in the Aegean Sea have not been
resolved, it seems to be too much for the EU to withstand
such a row between EU members. In future, the human rights
question will then turn out to be of secondary importance."
"U.S. Ignorance About Europe"
Adrian Zielcke judged in an editorial in centrist
Stuttgarter Zeitung (1/31), "The United States is right
when it points out that Turkey's strategic value can
hardly be overestimated. However,
the pompous advice from Washington that Turkey should be
accepted in the EU despite its human rights violations
only shows the increase in the degree of ignorance in
Washington about European developments. A country as
problematic as Turkey, which does not know its own path to
the future, would bring along enormous problems to the EU-
-in a union that has enough difficulties shaping its own
future."
"NATO And Turkey"
National radio station Deutschlandfunk of Cologne (1/29)
aired this commentary: "The Europeans should realize that
the Turkish ally will continue to raise demands to the
West as far as economic and security policies are
concerned.... However, Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu
Ciller signaled in Rome that a different approach is also
possible. If the Europeans do not change their minds,
there is, in addition to the Islamic card, also a Russian
card in the poker game in the Middle East. But how
realistic are such threatening gestures? If Turkey were
not such a close European trading partner, its economy
would be in an even worse state. And if the Americans had
not made the Ankara government its most important ally
against Saddam Hussein and Assad, Turkey would never have
turned into a regional power in the Middle East. But the
West, too, must be interested in Turkey not giving up its
democratic development and falling back into the Orient,
because, despite all the rows, the Turkish Republic
continues to be a factor of stability at NATO's critical
southeastern flank."
BRITAIN: "Erbakan Should Listen To Turkey's Army"
The conservative Times' editorial pointed out (2/28):
"Turkey is a pivotal member of NATO. Its integrity and
democracy are vital not only to regional stability but to
the Atlantic Alliance as a whole. Turkish democracy now
looks increasingly imperilled.... Tension is running high
and rumors are rife. The threat of a military coup is
everywhere. To dismiss the army's concern as bluster is to
underestimate its power and growing dismay at the fumbling
of Necmettin Erbakan's ill-matched coalition. Turkey's
military establishment is far from happy....
"Yet no one wants the army to step in, as it did in 1960
and 1980. It would be a disastrous setback for Turkish
democracy and encourage Islamic underground fanaticism.
President Demirel has no power to dismiss the prime
minister. But he and the army officers can warn him of the
dangers of his political course. For the sake of Turkey
and the Alliance, he should listen."
FRANCE: "Washington Campaigns For Turkey's Entry In EU"
Right-of-center Les Echos' editorial remarked (3/13):
"Americans have a tendency to think that something which
is not good for the United States is good for Europe.
Turkey does not fit their bill.... But when it is a
question of having a strategic position for NATO on the
front steps of Central Asia and the Gulf region, then U.S.
criticism is toned down.... When it comes to the EU,
Washington does not hide its pro-active campaign to have
Turkey become a member.... The United States is probably
trying to avoid seeing Turkey's threats become reality:
blocking NATO's expansion if the EU leaves them out....
Not to mention the fact that the United States prefers to
see Europe as just a free trade zone rather than as a real
political entity."
"NATO's Stronghold On Southern Front"
Jacques Malmassari told readers of right-of-center France
Soir (3/6): "All it takes is a look at an atlas to
understand how a political change in Ankara would really
affect the West. Close to the Middle East, bordering on
the Caucasus and Central Asia, Turkey is NATO's stronghold
on the southern front. The loss of that position would
give the East a considerable advantage in its competition
with the West."
ITALY: "For A European Turkey"
An editorial in provocative, classical liberal Il Foglio
said (1/31): "It would not be wise for Europe to deprive
itself of its traditional Turkish ally, risking pushing it
into the arms of Islamic extremists, just to do Russia a
questionable favor.... The road to Turkey's integration
with the EU is full of obstacles, from Cyprus and
fundamentalism to human rights, problems which we need to
resolve with complicated negotiations, as the Italian
government is proposing. And appeals in this direction
(albeit made in bulldozer-style) by Secretary of State
Albright express a concern which we should share."
"Euro-Turkey"
An editorial in left-leaning, influential La Repubblica
concluded (1/31): "Turkey is a country which needs to
resolve very serious problems that weigh considerably on
its democratic development, first of all, respect for human
rights, the war with the Kurds, the dispute with Greece.
And Europe has to show total intransigence on these. But
we absolutely cannot give up the opportunity for trade,
communication and intellectual exchange that Turkey can
offer Europe. We risk abandoning Ankara's democracy to
itself--with the serious threat of instability--and leaving
in somebody else's hands the huge number of opportunities
which that country could instead reserve for this side of
the barricade. The firm warning issued yesterday to the
Europeans by the United States goes in that direction."
"Ciller: 'Europe At All Costs'"
Centrist, top-circulation Corriere della Sera (1/30) said:
"Tansu Ciller warned that, in order to achieve full
membership in the European Union, Turkey is ready even to
oppose the expansion of NATO, of which it has been a
member for years, should its expectations be frustrated
again.... But the Turkish government's determination to
become a full partner in the EU still clashes with problems
which remain unsolved: the respect for human rights, with
special reference to the Kurdish question, and democratic
rules; Cyprus and difficult relations with Greece.... The
United States yesterday intervened on this point,
criticizing the European allies for the new conditions
regarding human rights posed for Turkey's membership in the
EU: 'We need to look at the overall picture of our
relations with Turkey,' said State Department spokesman
Burns. 'We believe Ankara's integration in Europe is
important, despite the fact that there are still problems
concerning human rights.'"
RUSSIA: "Army Vs. The People"
According to Polina Makarova and Ivan Lensky in reformist,
business-oriented Kommersant Daily (3/13): "The generals'
problem is that they are trying to tame a popular figure
(Premier Erbakan), who came to power via a legitimate,
democratic process, and is as yet uninvolved in fraud.
They are hard put to disprove that the army is acting
against its own people, following instructions from
outside. The generals would hate to use extreme measures,
since they would then have to take control over the whole
country, finding it hard to explain against whom they are
going to 'protect' it this time."
"Turkish Scare"
Reformist Izvestia (1/31) published this comment by
Vladimir Mikheyev: "Americans urge their allies not to
require too much of those seeking EU membership, which
implies less criticism for human rights violations. At the
same time, they accuse Turkey of numerous cases of power
abuse, including with regard to Kurds. It turns out that
Americans think some things are more important than human
rights, and this is exactly what Tansu Ciller counted on
when she threatened a veto on NATO's expansion decision."
"Turkey May Foil NATO Plans"
Dmitry Gornostayev and Alexander Reutov in centrist
Nezavisimaya Gazeta, referring to the statement by the
Turkish foreign minister threatening to veto NATO
expansion, noted (1/30): "Tansu Ciller's warning may solve
the problem for Moscow..... NATO's plans may crumble
overnight, with the Alliance unable to do anything about
it.... No doubt, Ciller's statement is welcome news to
Russia, which, fighting a lone hand, has so far been unable
to make NATO abandon its plans. The problem may get
resolved by itself, of course, unless Turkey and NATO reach
a compromise."
AUSTRIA: "Raised Eyebrows"
Foreign affairs writer Otmar Lahodynsky commented in
widely-read Kurier (2/20), "Albright knows Europe better
than her predecessors back to Henry Kissinger.... Her
advice that Europe should not lose time in accepting Turkey
as a full member, however, caused many a raised eyebrow in
Europe, as Albright's move is interpreted as Washington
support for Turkey's blackmailing attempt of not agreeing
to the expansion of NATO should the EU not admit Turkey to
the Union."
"Inappropriate Interference"
Conservative, quality Die Presse's foreign affairs writer
Andreas Schwarz responded to the U.S. call on Turkey and
the EU (1/31), "With 'artificial conditions,' Albright was,
of course, referring to the sorry state of the human rights
situation in Turkey. This situation is one of the reasons
why Austria continues to have reservations against Ankara
(while in the United States, human rights concerns seem to
be taken somewhat less seriously these days). And when
she talks about Turkey's 'place in Europe,' Albright is
referring to an admission of Turkey into the European
Union, for which Ankara will once again apply in the
spring.
"Why is Washington suddenly intervening in favor of its
NATO partner, considering how angry Washington has been
with Turkey lately, particularly about Prime Minister
Erbakan's deliberate rapprochement with Tehran? The United
States is afraid that Turkey might drift toward the Islamic
world. Understandably, the United States has an enormous
interest in retaining the good will of the partner at its
eastern flank. (Those who dream that nevermore will there
be a threat from the East are located in Europe rather than
in the United States). And the United States does take
seriously the Turkish threat of blocking NATO's expansion
toward the East, should Turkey be rejected as a candidate
for EU membership. Washington needs anything but more
trouble with the issue of NATO expansion. This nervousness
explains the Americans' inappropriate interference with a
theoretically purely European issue."
BELGIUM: "Classical Example Of Ottoman Blackmail"
In his weekly editorial, chief editor Frans Verleyen
maintained in liberal weekly Knack magazine (2/26), "The
Turkish government...has already let it be known that it
will cast a veto against NATO's plans if it does not have
the certainty in advance that it will be allowed to enter
into the European Union. It is thus linking a military
scheme to a political one. That is a classic example of
Ottoman blackmail. Consequently, Washington is insisting
prudently with the Union to give the Turks what they want.
(Washington prefers) a problem country full of Islam and
light on human rights in the Union than a blocked NATO."
"Can EU Extend To Turkey?"
In conservative Catholic La Libre Belgique (2/6), Marc
Opsomer pointed out regarding the Turkish statement linking
enlargement to EU membership: "That kind of blackmail
should not have any influence on the decision which the
Fifteen might eventually take, even though
Washington already proclaims that it is imperative that
Turkey be integrated in 'all' European institutions. The
problem does not come simply from the fact that
Turkey....is a 'big Muslim country': Islam is already the
number-two religion in many European countries, including
Belgium and France.
"However, one must wonder whether the European Union, which
practices the free flow of persons, would be capable of
'absorbing' a possible important additional influx of
Turkish population, and whether it is Europe's calling to
extend to...Asia (only three percent of the 780,000 square
kilometers of the Turkish territory are in Europe) and
whether it is advisable to integrate into the European
Union a nation whose destiny has been and still seems to be
so different. These are the questions, among others, which
will have to be answered. But one must keep in mind that
the choice will be decisive and that a second chance will
not present itself and that if Turkey were not to be in the
Union, it would probably turn away from Europe and from the
West."
GREECE: "Does Turkey Belong In Europe?"
Center-left, pro-Pasok Kiriakatiki Elevtherotipia (3/9)
observed, "Recently, the European Christian Democrats
declared that 'Turkey does not belong to the EU.' The day
before yesterday, [Foreign Minister] Thedhoros Pangalos
surprised many when he said: 'Turkey certainly belongs to
Europe. It is a great part of European history. If Turkey
is not a part of European history, then neither is Greece.'
Theodhoros Pangalos' answer is correct but not complete.
Of course Turkey is part of European history since it
occupied a large part of Eastern Europe--up to the entrance
to Vienna--for 400 years and affected the European facts.
But Turkey is not a part of European civilization. On the
contrary, this is the difference that the foreign minister
probably does not ignore, but did not point out, obviously
for diplomatic reasons....
"So the question is: Should Turkey be outside or inside
Europe so that it can be helped effectively and not become
more dangerous? And under what conditions do the 15 want
it in Europe?... The main goal is Turkey's
democratization, which should happen not through words but
through acts of respect for human rights, international
law, and the international treaties and agreements. This
and only this is the road to a substantive approach with
Europe. Greece would have no reason to obstruct this."
"If Ankara Accepts Europe's Proposals"
Independent, center-right Kathimerini (2/19) concluded
regarding European proposals to solve the Greek-Turkish
dispute and the Cyprus issue, "The moment of truth about
Turkey is probably coming after a long period of stalemate,
conflagration, fruitless efforts, blind threats, pompous
inflexibility, and even the unrestrained stepping up of
demands. European diplomacy is preparing itself to promote
an initiative that could achieve disengagement in both the
Greek-Turkish problem and the Cyprus issue, with Ankara
seeing reason and abandoning its extreme positions and
aims, tempted by Turkey's expedited march toward Europe....
"The fate of this initiative will depend entirely on
Ankara, which will undertake the responsibility of
accepting it or rejecting it. If Ankara rejects this
initiative, then the door to Europe closes and the door to
Islamism opens, something that will be averted (at all
costs) by the Americans. If Ankara accepts and respects
this initiative, then conditions of security will prevail
in both Greece and Cyprus with all that this would entail
for the undistracted devotion of Hellenism to development
and progress. All this would happen in the best case. In
the worst case, that is, if Turkey accepts the initiative
but does not respect it, then the economic aid might be
suspended and the Turkish representatives dismissed from
the EU committees. From this perspective, the European bet
is really interesting since it makes Turkey a hostage of
its own aims and compels it to choose an identity."
HUNGARY: "Turkey's Trump Card: Enlargement"
Influential, liberal Magyar Hirlap (3/10) commented, "The
Erbakan-Ciller leadership in Ankara is well aware of
Turkey's strategic role so they decided to use the trump
card: Unless Turkey is admitted to the EU, it is ready to
block the NATO membership of Central European countries.
It seems that the West is unable to handle this situation.
Ankara can in fact veto NATO enlargement and Secretary
General Solana had to admit this recently. What is more,
Turkey is no longer ready to settle for small
concessions.... Given the risk of Turkey becoming an even
stronger Islam state, NATO member countries have become
very lenient towards Turkey: The EU as well as NATO are
both confident that Turkey must be kept close to the
European Union because if it is left alone, the country
will become the ideal soil for extreme nationalistic and
religious ideologies."
"Turkey Vs. Greece"
Top-circulation Nepszabadsag (3/1) held, "The West faces
the problem created by having admitted countries with
irreconcilable national conflicts. Turkey has no place in
the EU for two reasons: First it is not mature enough for
membership and second because Greece would veto its
request for membership anyway. Turkey in return wants to
take revenge for this humiliating Greek policy on Hungary,
Poland and the Czech Republic by threatening to veto their
membership in NATO. By doing so, Turkey has of course
infuriated other members of the Alliance.... Greece is no
better, either: They have decided to veto EU enlargement
unless in the issue of Cyprus's membership in the Union the
EU backs Greece's point of view. I believe that this will
never happen: Turkey is a strategically very valuable
(NATO) ally and thus through Cyprus, the EU wants to offer
the country some kind of a representation in the EU. It
remains to be seen whether the stubborn Greeks, who view
these plans as 'mad and evil' can be convinced of this or
not."
"Turkey's Lesson"
Mass-appeal weekly Magyar Narancs (2/6) remarked, "Turkey
is a key country for NATO.... The Turkish leadership is
not stupid: They know very well that the Turkish military
is far more valuable that the miserable 'operetta-
militaries' of the three Central European countries likely
to be invited. The Turkish military has once again become
a marketable product like during the Gulf War. It is very
unlikely that Turkey will succeed in its attempt to
threaten NATO but Eastern Europeans should learn from the
Turkish example. Membership in NATO or in the OECD does
not automatically mean membership in the European Union.
If a country does not have strong enough bargaining
positions, it may easily find that no matter what previous
achievements it has, the gates to the EU close before it
can get in."
"Turkey's Threat"
Leading N pszabadsag (1/30) remarked, "Although Turkish
Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller stated that Turkey is only
interested in full membership in the EU, it seems obvious
that the Islam country would not be welcome in the club of
affluent European states. To make things worse, Ankara
started to threaten NATO recently that unless the country
is granted full membership in the EU, it will veto NATO
enlargement. The situation is made even more complicated
because of the Greek-Turkish conflict in Cyprus. The EU
will soon have to start membership negotiations with
Cyprus, too and Greece has already hinted that should
these talks fail, it is determined to veto the EU
membership of Central European states.
"There are other concerns in the West, too: Western
countries are afraid that as a result of the crisis in
Cyprus and the stagnation of its ties with the EU, Turkey
may turn towards its Muslim neighbors, thus causing a
serious conflict within NATO. The time to make compromises
has arrived. The Turks want the world to take them
seriously."
NORWAY: "Weighty Reasons Militate Against Turkey"
Social Democratic Arbeiderbladet accused Turkey of
attempting to blackmail its way into the EU, adding
(2/10), "The Turkish attempt to hold NATO hostage to force
its way into the EU is intolerable. Weighty reasons
militate against Turkish EU membership, including its
occupation of Cyprus, its human rights violations, and the
war against the Kurds. The country is soiled by extensive
torture in its prisons, death squadrons murdering political
dissidents, politically motivated arrests, and political
prisoners.... Turkey's serious domestic problems cannot be
solved through EU membership. At this point in time, EU
membership would increase Turkey's problems and seriously
compromise the EU's principal values. The Turkish elite
must straighten up Turkey, stop the assassins and assaults,
and go for democratization, a healthy economy and social
equality. Leading NATO and EU countries must make it
absolutely clear that only this development, and not
blackmail, can bring Turkey to the position the country
desires in Europe."
"Turkey Becoming A Problem For Europe"
The Ciller remarks prompted this editorial in conservative
Aftenposten (2/3), "Once again, Turkey is becoming a
problem for Europe.... It is very rude, not to say
unforgivable, of one Alliance partner to behave in such a
way that it disturbs the transition process from within.
It is complicated and sensitive enough as it is. Turkey's
threat is sheer blackmail, and should be treated
accordingly.... The United States has made the unusual step
of pressuring the EU to open its doors to Turkey.... We
see this as a signal that the Unitd States intends to put
less emphasis on human rights in its foreign policies."
SERBIA-MONTENEGRO: "U.S. Imposing Turkey As Balkans'
Regional 'Boss'"
Belgrade centrist, pro-government Vecernje Novosti (2/20)
declared in a commentary by Andjelko Dragojevic: "For all
Christian peoples of Southeastern Europe, the most
important question is whether the Turkish turban--which
now, as the regional U.S. boss, does not hide its old
pretensions--is coming back to its Ottoman borders. That
strategically corresponds the interests of the United
States and Europe--to secure, through Turkey, not only
peaceful and cheap sources of oil, but also routes to
transport oil from the Near East. Germany is no longer--as
Holbrooke unthoughtfully and crudely said--our Christian
wall! That is Turkey now. (Turkey 'against' the Eastern
'Islamism!') However, are now--and particularly in the
future--the interests of Europe (after all, German Europe)
a little different than those of the United States?...
"The problems of Kurds, aggressiveness toward Cyprus,
inflation, human rights...all these are the reasons for
distancing oneself from Turkey, when it starts hurrying too
much toward its main interest--the European Union and its
capital. Apprehensive, with justification, of the
biological and other kinds of Muslim expansion, Europe is
at the moment even more concerned about the Islamic
government of Erbakan, which does not hide its
fundamentalist activities in the region.... With its huge
number of inhabitants, Turkey would be nearly the first
European power according to the number of seats and votes
in the EU parliament.... Through Turkey, the United States
would control both the right Turkish wing of the Asian
republics of the former USSR and the left southeastern wing
of the Mediterranean and of Europe, which in future it must
see as its rival."
SPAIN: "EU Needs To Offer A Solution"
Liberal El Pais of Madrid's editorial noted (3/6): "It is
understandable that the leaders of the popular European
parties, including Kohl and Aznar, have slammed the door on
Turkey. Turkey leaves much to be desired in terms of
respect for human rights, and the increasing Islamic
trends present all kinds of problems. Nevertheless, the
EU...needs to offer another
solution.... Leaving Turkey out amounts to aggravating its
internal problems.... Doing nothing will not solve the
problems."
SWITZERLAND: "Europe Dreads Turkey's Candidacy"
Philippe Dumartheray commented in centrist Tribune de
Gen ve (1/31), "Wednesday evening in Washington, Madeleine
Albright--mincing no words, as usual--met with EU leaders
and confided: 'We ought to bring Turkey into the main
Western institutions, not just NATO, and strengthen its
ties with the European Union.' EU officials didn't have to
decode the message: Washington wishes, and that's a
euphemism, to make Turkey part of Europe as soon as
possible.
"These same EU officials don't even bother reminding
Albright of Europe's warm feelings toward Turkey. They're
well aware that such words ooze hypocrisy and that the
Americans wouldn't be fooled. Neither would the Turks. In
short, Europe dreads Turkey's candidacy and will do all
within its means to keep Turkey out of the 'Christian
club.'... The Americans, meanwhile, are having a harder
time biting their tongues. Washington is wooing Turkey as
part of its plan to isolate Iran. But during Rafsanjani's
recent trip to Ankara, in December, the two nations
decided to build tanks and helicopters together.
Furthermore, Iranian gas will be piped via Turkey starting
this year.
"No surprise, then, that Americans are eager to cut short
this Turkish-Iranian honeymoon by pushing Turkey into the
arms of a Europe which, without daring to admit it, is not
exactly thrilled by the prospect of an Eastern bride."
##
For more information, please contact:
U.S. Information Agency
Office of Public Liaison
Telephone: (202) 619-4355
3/14/97
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