29 September 2001, Copyright © Turkish Daily News

• Cem: Turkey will do everything within its power
• Cakmakoglu disapproves Gen. Tolon on remarks over Article 5
• Pearson praises Prime Minister Ecevit and government
• China's bad record makes Varyag's passage unlikely
• Sezer speaks to Mubarak
• Turkey presses on 'German Connection'
• Fukuyama: The West should support liberal Islam

Turkey consolidates her position against terror,
satisfied with the reasonability of the US attitude

Cem: Turkey will do everything within its power

No doubt it was the busiest day of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's life. He met U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld and Jordanian King Abdallah. He was also interviewed by CNN, and will have met the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan by last night at 11 p.m. Turkish time.

The busy schedule signifies how Turkey comprehends the threat of terrorism, which was appreciated by the Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Powell stated he was pleased to express to Cem the U.S.'s appreciation for the messages of condolence they received from the Turkish government and the Turkish people over the events of Sept. 11. Powell also expressed his appreciation of the support Turkey provided in that time of crisis, overflight support, and the support given in the United Nations and within NATO councils.

Cem told reporters that the parties had the opportunity of comparing their analyses and views, and had tried to look into some areas of mutual interests of some particularities which will bear, in effect, on the composition and effectiveness of the coalition against terror.

Cem repeated Turkey's position that terrorists do not have a religion or geography; and terrorism can not distinguished between Muslims or Islamic terrorism or Jewish or Christian terrorism. Cem said that was one aspect of importance and relevance.

On a question about the Middle East peace process, Cem said Turkey has always advocated that a U.S. presence and involvement in the peace process was the decisive factor, and no other country could play such a role, and he was content that the meeting between Shimon Peres and Arafat had taken place. Cem said the United States had a lot to do in this process.

Turkey briefs American authorities

Meanwhile, it was the first time the U.S. top-level officials were briefed by a country on Afghanistan since the terrorist attacks.

Cem and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice met in the White House yesterday, and Vice President Dick Cheney unexpectedly attended the meeting 10 minutes later. Afghanistan Special Envoy Aydemir Erman, who recently visited some Mid-Asian countries after the terrorist acts, gave a briefing on Turkey's Afghan policy, history, and humanitarian aid.

Cheney and Rice expressed gratitude over Turkey's support, and called Turkey a strategic partner. They voiced their expectation for the continuation of support. Cheney and Rice told Cem that this war against terrorism must not be compared with any other war.

Lehrer interviews Cem

Cem was also interviewed by Jim Lehrer, having the opportunity to stress on Turkey's policy on the issue. Cem said in the interview that he was happy to find the American officials calm, resolute, determined and unemotional. He stated that was very positive, and a relief in a way to see that they're doing their job very cautiously.

Answering Lehrer's question as to what Turkey is prepared to do concerning the use of bases, Cem said it will depend on the needs and environment. Cem continued: "What I can say is that we will do whatever we can within our own realities and possibilities. And I'm rather cautious in speaking on that subject, because I think the worst harm that one can do to the United States administration at present is to be misleading, is to speak in big words and then not deliver."

Cem blames Europe

Cem kept a strong line against some European countries, accusing them of tolerating and backing the terrorist organizations. Cem reminded Lehrer of the suicide bombing in Istanbul a couple of weeks ago, and said all that kind of terrorism is encouraged and directed, even from some European capitals. He said: "I don't mean European countries themselves, but countries that tolerate those kinds of manipulation, finance and encouragement to take place in their countries. This is what I mean when I say terrorism doesn't have a geography."

Answering a question as to whether Turkey had any international concerns, Cem said one concern was the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Cem stressed the importance of the cease-fire, because if it was not consolidated, it would have a negative affect on the composition and the effectiveness of the coalition.

Cakmakoglu disapproves Gen. Tolon on remarks over Article 5

• Turkish defence minister cautions against allowing US to use Turkish territory for strikes
• Turkey's Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu described General Tolon's statement that evidence would be required to invoke Article 5 as unnecessary and untimely, while cautioning against allowing the US forces to use Turkey as a staging ground for attacks against terrorist camps of Osama bin Laden. Answering TDN's questions Cakmakoglu has also hinted at a possible solution to the already stalemated attack helicopter dispute with the US

Lale Sariibrahimoglu

Turkish National Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu has disapproved remarks made by Commander of the Aegean Army Gen. Hursit Tolon, who said that evidence was required for invoking NATO's Article 5. Cakmakoglu said "Those remarks were neither necessary nor timely."

NATO members including Turkey have decided to invoke Article 5 of the alliance for the first time in the aftermath of an unprecedented terrorist attack staged against the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington on Sept 11.

Turkey, the only Muslim nation of the 19-member alliance, has given a strong backing to the United States over its fight against terror, but on many occasions it has stressed that the alliance has stayed indifferent to Turkey's sufferings from the 15-year old fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists.

The terrorist attack against the United States was described as an outside attack, prompting the alliance to invoke Article 5 soon after the terrorist attacks against the United States as a show of solidarity. NATO members have never been able in the past to define the enemy to invoke this article, which states an attack against an alliance member will be regarded as an attack against all members.

Cakmakoglu, answering questions of the Turkish Daily News, recalled many examples of outside support given to the PKK, including the latest suicide bomb attack which took place in Istanbul just a day before the terrorist attack against the United States.

"Following the suicide attack in Istanbul, the supporters of the terrorists staged demonstrations in Brussels. Isn't that a support from outside to the terrorists?" Cakmakoglu inquired.

However, Cakmakoglu voiced his disapproval of remarks made by Gen. Tolon, who stressed that evidence was required before the implementation of Article 5.

Speaking in Antalya on Sept. 27 Tolon said that for Article 5 to be invoked, evidence is required. Recalling that Turkey has never received support in its calls for the activation of Article 5, Tolon said: "This article has now been brought to the agenda by the United States. But the activation of this article is conditional. This means that in a clear fashion it has to be proven that the attack came from outside for it to be agreed by NATO members."

Responding to TDN's question in this respect Cakmakoglu said: "While Turkey has been declaring its support to the United States over its fight against terror this (Tolon's) statement was not necessary and was untimely. There are already 19 NATO members including Turkey." With those remarks Cakmakoglu has implied that Turkey should not have taken the lead in recalling the fact that evidence was needed to invoke Article 5, while there have been other members of the alliance who would seek similar conditions.

Turkish analysts earlier cautioned Turkey not to take the lead in discussions concerning the conditions for the activation of this article, as the European members of the alliance would be the first in seeking evidence when the time comes to invoke the article.

Turkey cautious on US strikes

Turkey announced on Sept. 22 that it would open its airspace as well as its bases for U.S. transport aircraft for logistic support in case the United States decides to launch strikes against the terrorist camps of bin Laden based in Afghanistan. But Turkish officials have been cautious on allowing the United States to use Turkish territory for strikes due to its concerns that this would make Turkey a direct target of the terrorists.

"As the government of Turkey, we said Yes to the U.S. request to use Turkish airspace and the airports linked to the NATO missions,: said Cakmakoglu. However, he was cautious upon a question by the TDN on whether Turkey would allow the United States to use its territory for strikes against Afghanistan. "The United States has not made any such request from Turkey. But such an issue (Debate on to allow Turkish bases for strikes) should wait. We have to wait and should not hurry," Cakmakoglu said in a cautious tone.

Similarly the U.S. officials said that Washington has not made such a request to Turkey.

Turkish-US dispute on attack helicopters eases

An ongoing dispute between Turkey and the United States over the industrialization level of the mission computer systems to be installed on the attack helicopters planned to be produced with U.S. Bell has also appeared to have eased.

Declining to go into details Cakmakoglu, however, hinted that this issue is on its way towards a resolution when he said, "Some problems could be resolved by time and by themselves."

Among the topics discussed between Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit and the visiting Gen. Carlton W. Fulford, Deputy Commander in Chief of the European Forces (USEUCOM) on Sept. 26 included finding ways of ending the mission computer dispute.

In fact on the mission computer there has been also a dispute between the Turkish Defense Industries Undersecratariat (SSM) and the Turkish General Staff with the former insisting on the indigenous development of the critical software source codes of the system, while the latter blamed the SSM for pursuing a policy forcing the United States to impose restrictions on the local industrialization of the system.

The Mission computer, which is combined of hardware and software, comprises the most critical part of the attack helicopters and the United States refuses to release the most critical part of the source codes. SSM, on its part, seeks to control the whole system.

Since the dispute, for almost three months now, the SSM has halted talks with U.S. Bell for the production of 145 AH 1Z King Cobras in three batches, worth about $4 billion.

But now there are reports that the SSM may resume talks with Bell sometime next week, signalling that it has softened its hard line stance on the mission computer.

Loglu@superonline.com

Ankara - Turkish Daily News

'The current government is now the longest-serving Turkish government in over a decade, and the longest-serving coalition government in Turkey's history'

Pearson praises Prime Minister Ecevit and government

The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey W. Robert Pearson gave support to the constitutional amendments parliament has passed and the government's economic reforms and praised the performance of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and his coalition government. Pearson said, "The current government is now the longest-serving Turkish government in over a decade, and the longest-serving coalition government in Turkey's history," during his speech at the IDEF Symposium at Bilkent Hotel on Sept. 26.

"The government is poised to enact a package of 37 constitutional amendments that will bring Turkey's constitution more in line with those of EU countries. This is the most extensive constitutional reform process since the enactment of the Constitution in 1982. It is widely supported by political parties, employers, unions, and civil society organizations. Businesses, in particular, view this package as a symbol of the government's commitment to transparency and reform... The amendments will broaden fundamental rights and freedoms for Turkish citizens. If fully implemented, these changes will move Turkey towards full candidacy with the European Union and eventual EU membership. This package represents a remarkable achievement on behalf of a government that so many commentators described as finished," Pearson commented.

Pearson also evaluated the economic program fulfilled by the Ecevit government: "Looking beyond the immediate challenge of its debt dynamics, Turkey's economic reform program has achieved remarkable successes. The IMF and World Bank, among others, have recognized the bold series of steps taken by the government."

Pearson noted three of the reform achievements by this government:

"First, the government has adopted a competitive and flexible exchange rate regime, which is helping Turkish businesses to export. This commitment to a float bodes well over the medium to longer term in the prospects for Turkey's export-led growth. Exports are beginning to pick up in the seven months since the move to a float, which is a shorter time than the lag seen in some East Asian countries following their adoptions of floating exchange rates.

"The second achievement has been the strong fiscal and public debt management policies over the past year. This year the government is cutting expenditures 6 to 8 percent in real terms, while maintaining revenue and thus keeping to even exceeding a very ambitious primary surplus target of 5.5 percent of gross national product (GNP). It has also paid for prior years' extravagant subsidies by issuing new debt to the state banks, and has passed laws to ensure that such subsidies will not be available in the future. This sustained financial discipline -- a balanced budget approach -- is a key to success.

"Which brings me to the third achievement -- a more healthy banking sector. Under new bank regulators, Turkey has taken decisive actions to address problems in the four state banks which have dominated the banking industry in the past. It closed one of them, is in the process of privatizing a second, and is downsizing the other two while preparing them for eventual privatization. It has also taken decisive action to eliminate abuses among the private banks. The end result for the banking sector is consolidation, infusions of foreign equity, and more prudent lending practices."

Pearson also shows Turkey's reform program as model to the other struggling emerging markets and suggests that other can follow this model and prosper in the globalized economy of the 21st century. "Turkey is proof that a Muslim country, with the full range of traditional cultural values, has a place at the table of the most developed and democratic states. I have no doubt that if Turkey continues down the road it has chosen, and continues to implement the economic reform and constitutional amendments it has adopted, then Turkey will become a full EU member. This is what the U.S. government supports, and what our other European allies want as well. This Administration is engaged at the highest levels, and Turkey knows it has full U.S. government support as it continues to take the difficult reform steps it has chosen."

Pearson also praised Turkey's support for the United States' fight against international terrorism. "After the attack, Turkey's government immediately adopted a position -- to use Ecevit's words -- of 'complete support.' On Sept. 19 and 20, senior government and military leaders held an unprecedented 'leaders summit.' The statement that emerged from that meeting is one of the strongest and most convincing messages issued by any of our close allies." he said.

Pearson went on to say, "We are mindful too of the concerns, expressed by Ecevit in a letter to President George W. Bush, about the fate of Afghan civilians. We continue to make a distinction between those who advocate violence and shelter criminals and terrorists, and those who are themselves the victims of terrorist regimes."

Ankara - Turkish Daily News

China's bad record makes Varyag's passage unlikely

The potential passage of Chinese "floating platform" Varyag through the Turkish Straits has become gradually more problematic, as China bargains for further privileges. However, another factor is likely to be China's bad reputation on keeping her promises.

China stated that they would give an agency assurance, instead of the state assurance requested by Turkey, in compensation for any possible accident. It meant that China was trying to bargain further, because Turkey had already compromised by withdrawing their demand for China to pay a $1 billion guarantee.

The passage seemed even more unlikely, after State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu sent a letter yesterday to the Prime Ministry, stating, "Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's demand for a safe passage is not possible," and requested a new order.

A Navigation Undersecretary delegation commenced the previous day upon the request of the Chinese. During the negotiation, the Chinese delegation stated they could give only an agency assurance.

Another topic of discussion in the negotiation was whether the Chinese had fulfilled the requisites demanded by the Turkish Undersecretary for as safe a passage as possible.

The Turkish delegation claimed none of the requisites had been taken into serious consideration or fulfilled. The Turkish side stood firm as they told the Chinese side that the requisites are not open to any kind of bargaining.

The negotiation turned into a controversy when the Chinese delegation submitted the address of the agency in Turkey. The Chinese party, instead, gave an address yesterday, as "Agencia Turistica E Diversoes Chong Lot, Limitada, Macau, CHC."

The Undersecretary officials criticized this attitude, as the company in the address is no more than an intermediation agency, and definitely not a commercial firm with a strong capital structure. Moreover, according to the officials, the statement on the owner of Varyag floating platform lacks seriousness.

China's bad reputation recalled

The last negative development was the letter sent to the Prime Ministry by State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu, drawing attention to a past incident where China failed to keep her promise to pay $311,000 assurance to a Turkish company in 1996.

Mirzaoglu noted in the letter that, "The danger of the passage has been confirmed by reports by the commission members, who made some examinations over Varyag." Minister Mirzaoglu further noted any passage attempt would be risky.

In the letter, Mirzaoglu firmly criticized the Chinese company for its unrealistic approach to the assurance problem, and pointed out the need for a new order.

Now the State Minister awaits a new order by the Prime Minister. But if his letter and the reports are to taken into consideration, Varyag's passage looks like less unlikely than ever.

Ankara - Turkish Daily News

Sezer speaks to Mubarak

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer continued his phone diplomacy, speaking this time with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, to assess the possible effects of the terrorist attack in the United States to international politics.

The call to Hosni Mubarak also signifies Turkish policy in this issue would not be kept limited with the Mid-Asian and Caucasian countries. Sezer has already called the Azeri, Kirghiz and Pakistani Presidents during the previous two days.

In yesterday's Presidency press meeting, Spokesman Tacan Ildem stated the situation in the Middle-East was also among the topics of discussion with Egyptian President.

Ildem pointed out the fact that both countries have suffered from terror, and Egypt has proposed an international conference on the fight against terrorism, within the structure of the United Nations. Sezer expressed support for Egypt's proposal, Spokesman stated.

Furthermore, both presidents agreed on standing against the tendency to relate terror to a certain religion, language, and race.

Middle east assessed

President Sezer told his Egyptian counterpart that the solution of Israeli-Palestinian conflict is even more important than it was, after the latest developments. Both leaders shared the opinion that the meeting between Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israel Foreign Minister Simon Peres was essential.

Mubarak appreciated Turkey's efforts to contribute to Middle-Eastern peace, and wished these efforts to continue.

Turkey's own initiative

Ildem responded to the question, whether Turkey started the phone diplomacy upon U.S. request, or due to the internal criticisms that Turkey should have played a more active role, as follows:

"Neither the United States, nor some other country have made such a request. A country doesn't necessarily require advice or encouragement for some initiatives. Turkey holds and will hold the initiatives taking her own opinions and national interests into consideration. These phone calls solely made due to her own initiative."

Ildem also noted that the criticisms were of little significance, because all the competent authorities actively cooperate and are coordinated, observing the latest developments, and having the essential assessments.

Ankara - Turkish Daily News

Turkey presses on 'German Connection'

Turkey is pressing on the alleged German connection of terror, acknowledging the new global sentiment as an opportunity to disclose the European countries who once backed or tolerated the Turkish leftist, pro-Kurdish or pro-Islamist organizations.

The last effort was a question directed by Democratic Left Party (DSP) Istanbul Deputy Erol Al to interior and foreign ministries, whether they have an evaluation on the claims that the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Heinrich Boll Foundation and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation have had some anti-Turkish activities.

Al stated in his questions to Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and State Minister Nejat Arseven, who is at the same time in charge of the foundations, that there are some claims about these foundations. These accusations include "removing the national unity of Turkey, disrupting the country economically by preventing the efficient use of underground resources, contributing to revolt psychology by calling for civil disobedience."

Al also stated in his questions that the relevant documents and facts have been submitted to the ministries, and asked Yucelen if there were any process of closing these "hostile" organizations.

Al asserted that organizations such as the Turkish Democracy Foundation, the Istanbul Bar, the Human Rights Association, the Helsinki Citizens Assembly, KOMKAR, the Initiative Against Crime of Thought, the Alternative Society Center, Mazlum-Der and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey have been partners with these German foundations in some activities.

Al asked Yucelen if there were any intelligence studies to prevent such activities, and if they had considered punishing these foundations.

Al asked Arseven if Turkish intelligence services have submitted any information to the Foundations General Directorate on these anti-Turkish activities as well.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is to pass to Berlin from Washington, to meet his German counterpart Joschka Fischer. However, it remains unclear whether Cem will bring this possible "German connection" to the agenda.

Ankara - Turkish Daily News

"I definitely consider that the liberal versions of religion can flourish within modernity."

Fukuyama: The West should support liberal Islam

Francis Fukuyama, the political scientist who is the author of the much known 'end of the history' thesis, spoke to Abd�lhamit Bilici from Aksiyon weekly, stating the West should back liberal Islam against radical Islam particularly in the light of the recent developments.

Noting that his father has worked as an English teacher in Kayseri for four years, Fukuyama said he knew Turkey very well, furthermore, he visited Turkey twice in the last decade.

"Religion continues offering a perspective to people for the comprehension of the world." said Fukuyama, and followed: "However, I believe evolution lies in the natue of the religion as well. Religion turned more tolerant and less political to be able to live together with the liberal institutions. I agree the general tendency is not more secularization, however."

Answering the question what the survival chance of a Muslim Democrat identity in Turkey is, Francis Fukuyama said:

"I think this is very important. Turkey might be an example in this issue. I don't favor the cancellation of religion in this context. Religion is an essential part of your people's identity. Kemalism's total suppression over religion with a militant comprehension of secularism is not proper. The healthiest way for Turkey is to help compromise modern democracy with religion. The tolerant versions of religion should not be excluded."

Fukuyama holds his thesis

Concerning the recent terrorist attack in the United States Francis Fukuyama said:

"This incident did not change my basic opinions. Nevertheless, the attitudes of the US administration and the terrorists will determine the new picture. There is a danger for the United States to prolong the military operation and to miss the target. This would not only increase the hostility in the Islam world, but also cause very tense relations. This should not happen. Because, in my opinion there is a variety of moderate and liberal currents to be supported in Islam world."

Fukuyama also answered the question whether he feels the need for a modification in his thesis as follows:

"I wrote another article to National Interest, the same journal, in the context of the tenth anniversary of my article. I stated there that the recent developments in the world politics does not necessarily lead me into thinking that my thoughts were all wrong."

Ankara - Turkish Daily News

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