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MAY 18: TOWARDS A BAD TURNING POINT!
Selcuk Gultasli
Zaman, Turkey
May 10 2006
Emir Kir as the first person of Turkish origin to rise to the position
of minister in the Western Hemisphere represents a historic turning
point for those who came to Europe as "the lowest class".
Kir, whose father came to Belgium as a mineworker, and thousands like
him, are gradually climbing the political ladder in Europe. These
people of Turkish origin in Germany and The Netherlands have made
their mark in European politics in a way that even scares leftist
politicians.
The "deep" Europe intends to stop Turkey's membership march as
quickly as possible and obstruct people of Turkish origin from
gaining political positions. The Turks who came, as workers must
remain workers!
It is necessary to find such a formula that will halt both
developments, but in the meantime, it should be seen "politically
correct". Giving every member 71 veto rights, taking into consideration
the European Union's (EU) absorption capacity, inserting the privileged
partnership formula in EU documents or the fact that Turks could
permanently be deprived of the right of free movement, have failed
to calm the "deep" Europe down. A shortcut is needed.
The Armenian "genocide" formula emerges from confused European minds.
Rumors have been circulating at Brussels lobbies that France is
whispering to other members that "a confession and apology" for the
"genocide" should be made a prerequisite for Turkey's admission into
the EU. The adoption of such a decision by the European Parliament in
fall is not quite convenient because it is not binding. The fact that
France will debate the bill to punish those who deny the "genocide"
on May 18 is perfectly logical from this viewpoint.
If the bill passes the French Parliament on May 18 and the approval
process afterwards is completed successfully, it would have two main
outcomes. Firstly, the "sustainability" of the already weak Turkey-EU
relations will become gangrenous. Secondly, European Turks, in general,
and politicians of Turkish origin blooming in Europe, in particular,
will either remain silent or get into big trouble.
In the first case, it will be a big enigma how visits by Turkish
officials to France will be realized. Let's assume that Turkish
authorities and diplomats will benefit from the shield of "immunity."
Then what will happen to Turkish intellectuals, journalists and
academics? Most probably, they will all of a sudden face a consequence
similar to the consequence David Irwing faced in Austria.
Belgium emboldened by France will rapidly adopt a similar law currently
pending at parliamentary commissions. It must be taken into account
that the parliaments of other countries may pass similar bills as well.
The second and more serious consequence is the possibility of
silencing the fledgling Turkish population in Europe. The furious
Armenian Diaspora will start hunting for politicians with Turkish
background and try to end their political careers with single-question
interviews. What is worse is that passing these bills will threaten
social peace. This is the very point European politicians do not
see and do not want to see. Lyon Mayor's statement, "I was not aware
that this issue was so controversial," when he saw Turks protesting
the Armenian "genocide" monument, is crucial because it shows how
ignorantly European politicians have been approaching the issue. What
the German government and people have accepted is not accepted by
the Turkish state and -- most importantly -- by the Turkish people.
Kir faces political lynching once in a month because he once used the
expression "so-called genocide" in an interview. Many politicians
of Turkish origin, even though they have not change their minds,
are very careful not to mention the Armenian issue. In an environment
where these bills are enacted, they will either risk imprisonment or
keep their mouths shut up! What is targeted is that Ankara would say,
"Enough is enough," and would abandon the EU negotiation table. May
18 could go down in history as an extremely important date.
"What can be done?" Let's tackle this subject next week!
May 8, 2006 Brussels
Selcuk Gultasli
Zaman, Turkey
May 10 2006
Emir Kir as the first person of Turkish origin to rise to the position
of minister in the Western Hemisphere represents a historic turning
point for those who came to Europe as "the lowest class".
Kir, whose father came to Belgium as a mineworker, and thousands like
him, are gradually climbing the political ladder in Europe. These
people of Turkish origin in Germany and The Netherlands have made
their mark in European politics in a way that even scares leftist
politicians.
The "deep" Europe intends to stop Turkey's membership march as
quickly as possible and obstruct people of Turkish origin from
gaining political positions. The Turks who came, as workers must
remain workers!
It is necessary to find such a formula that will halt both
developments, but in the meantime, it should be seen "politically
correct". Giving every member 71 veto rights, taking into consideration
the European Union's (EU) absorption capacity, inserting the privileged
partnership formula in EU documents or the fact that Turks could
permanently be deprived of the right of free movement, have failed
to calm the "deep" Europe down. A shortcut is needed.
The Armenian "genocide" formula emerges from confused European minds.
Rumors have been circulating at Brussels lobbies that France is
whispering to other members that "a confession and apology" for the
"genocide" should be made a prerequisite for Turkey's admission into
the EU. The adoption of such a decision by the European Parliament in
fall is not quite convenient because it is not binding. The fact that
France will debate the bill to punish those who deny the "genocide"
on May 18 is perfectly logical from this viewpoint.
If the bill passes the French Parliament on May 18 and the approval
process afterwards is completed successfully, it would have two main
outcomes. Firstly, the "sustainability" of the already weak Turkey-EU
relations will become gangrenous. Secondly, European Turks, in general,
and politicians of Turkish origin blooming in Europe, in particular,
will either remain silent or get into big trouble.
In the first case, it will be a big enigma how visits by Turkish
officials to France will be realized. Let's assume that Turkish
authorities and diplomats will benefit from the shield of "immunity."
Then what will happen to Turkish intellectuals, journalists and
academics? Most probably, they will all of a sudden face a consequence
similar to the consequence David Irwing faced in Austria.
Belgium emboldened by France will rapidly adopt a similar law currently
pending at parliamentary commissions. It must be taken into account
that the parliaments of other countries may pass similar bills as well.
The second and more serious consequence is the possibility of
silencing the fledgling Turkish population in Europe. The furious
Armenian Diaspora will start hunting for politicians with Turkish
background and try to end their political careers with single-question
interviews. What is worse is that passing these bills will threaten
social peace. This is the very point European politicians do not
see and do not want to see. Lyon Mayor's statement, "I was not aware
that this issue was so controversial," when he saw Turks protesting
the Armenian "genocide" monument, is crucial because it shows how
ignorantly European politicians have been approaching the issue. What
the German government and people have accepted is not accepted by
the Turkish state and -- most importantly -- by the Turkish people.
Kir faces political lynching once in a month because he once used the
expression "so-called genocide" in an interview. Many politicians
of Turkish origin, even though they have not change their minds,
are very careful not to mention the Armenian issue. In an environment
where these bills are enacted, they will either risk imprisonment or
keep their mouths shut up! What is targeted is that Ankara would say,
"Enough is enough," and would abandon the EU negotiation table. May
18 could go down in history as an extremely important date.
"What can be done?" Let's tackle this subject next week!
May 8, 2006 Brussels