BUSINESS AND POLITICS IN THE MUSLIM WORLD TURKEY Weekly Report on Political, Geo-Strategic, Economic and Social Issues, Period: November 21-27, 2009. Submitted By: Aasia Khatoon Presentation: December 3, 2009 Report no.95 NEWS OUTLINE POLITICAL ISSUES Can’t build country on fear, says Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan Self-criticism in DTP; silence of the hawks Turkey and UN once more in quarrel over Makhmour camp ‘Signs’ of democratic initiative in Diyarbakır Turkey’s Kurdish move linked to EU accession PKK calls for dialogue Erdoğan says gov’t committed to stronger Turkish democracy Swedish FM Bildt questions countries opposed to Turkey's EU bid Military silent on weapons to be used to activate Cage plan European Union follows Cage action plan ‘very closely’ ASDER chief vows to fight pro‐coup formation within military Nation will not be trapped in ‘cages,’ says PM Erdoğan Yes, we spoiled junta plans” say protestors of Dink murder ‐ 1 ‐ Naval junta under Ergenekon control, document shows Turkish Speaker complains of oil tankers dangers in straits Teachers' Day celebrated across the nation amid economic woes Five suspects released in Ergenekon case PM Erdoğan criticizes top court ruling on university entrance exams GEO‐STRATEGIC ISSUES Turkey's FM offers condolences to Turkmens over killing of leader Turkish Parliament Speaker In Russia Israel, Turkey to mark first ministerial visit since Gaza row Turkey gives Israel new ‘deadline' for Herons delivery Peres: Ties with Turkey cannot be victim of ‘momentary tensions’ Turkish President Receives Israeli Minister Israel'S Trade Minister Invites Turkish Firms To His Country Turkey says Israel's invitation not accepted yet Gül tells Israel to revise settlement policy, prove commitment for peace Israel proposes secret meeting between PMs, hoping for thaw US says to welcome Turkey's role in new Syria‐Israel talks Turkey's Gonul welcomes Bosnian Defense Minister Van Rompuy is not from ‘Sarkozy camp,’ Turkish‐origin deputies say PM Erdogan congratulates EU's "anti‐Turkey" president Turkey‐EU Troika to meet in Istanbul on Thurs Turkey holds Troika meeting with EU in Istanbul Swedish FM: EU treaty has "no religious criteria" over Turkey's bid European Parliament Welcomes Turkey's Reforms EU to ask Turkey to adopt a ‘more European Iran policy’ Turkish, US envoys to IAEA discuss Iran's nuclear program ‐ 2 ‐ Turkey willing to help Iran integrate to international community" Davutoğlu still seeking way out for nuclear impasse Turkey important model for region, US says Anti‐democratization groups use Cyprus, Soyer says Aliyev ups the ante as expectation for progress on Karabakh grows Armenia submits protocols to Constitutional Court Premier Erdogan Leaves for Libya Visa barriers with Libya abolished in historic visit Turkish FM in phone diplomacy over Iran's nuclear program Turkey accepts to join Moro Muslims-Philippine peace talks Libyan PM praises Turkey's ties with Arab word Turkey's Erdogan says Libya visit "very productive" IMO awards Turkish navy for anti‐piracy Aden work Turkish Parliament Speaker Meets His Armenian Counterpart in Moscow Turkey Condemns Killing of Turkmen Politician in Iraq Turkey rejects opening ports to Greek Cyprus ECONOMIC ISSUES Turkey may be regional livestock leader with proper policies Sales accelerating ahead of Eid al‐Adha Turkish‐Israeli Jec protocol signed TOKİ to build 500,000 homes by 2011, focusing on low‐income groups Ministry of Finance to sell public real estate worth TL 2.75 billion Turkey, Libya decide to cooperate on Africa ties Israel to deliver 10 drones to Turkey in Q1 of 2010: Report Civil servants go on 24‐hour strike today to warn government ‐ 3 ‐ Turkey Seeks to Encourage Use of Electric Cars Turkey's Stock Exchange closed for 4 days over Muslim Eid Turkey's CBank says foreign exchange reserves down Costa Rica says to sign free trade deal with Turkey Manavgat to sell water to Libya Turkey makes biggest imports from Russia, Germany, China in 2009 SOCIAL ISSUES Thick fog causes disruption, flight delays in İstanbul Turkish scientists destroy cancerous cells with drug‐loaded nanocages 42 pct of Turkish women targets of violence Major Turkish unions to go on one‐day strike Bad Weather Kills Four, Paralyzes Life in Turkey Swine flu claims 161 in Turkey Contradictory on swine flu vaccine statements continue COMMENTARY From the Bosphorus: Straight ‐ Sober clarity in Turkish‐Israeli relations Turkey and the West are condemned to each other A new EU team for perhaps a more democratic EU? THE CORRIDOR The good rapprochement: why Obama will praise Erdoğan How is Atatürk’s ‘army of education’ doing? Speaking of sacrificed animals and meat ‐ 4 ‐ POLITICAL ISSUES KURDISH ISSUE Can’t build country on fear, says Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan Monday, 23 November 2009 09:08 Todays Zaman ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ ‐ 5 ‐ Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that his party has no fear of pushing forward with its democratization reform agenda to solve the Kurdish question, saying that those looking to spread fears of disintegration and division were in reality try Speaking at a party caucus in Ankara’s Kızılcahaman on Saturday, Erdoğan said cowardliness would not help Turkey deal with its age‐old problems. He asked: “If Orhan Gazi was afraid, would Bursa have been established? If Fatih was afraid, would İstanbul have been?” and said his party would go on with its democratization push without fear. “You can’t build a country on fear. You can’t build a future on fear. You can’t build democracy on fear,” he said. The prime minister said they saw their fight for democracy not as a problem of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), but a problem of the country. Erdoğan said that in the past, the Turkish nation has seen as many glories as times when the nation and the country have been in danger. Stating that the integrity and unity of the Turkish nation have been tested many times throughout history, he said the Turkish nation has always succeeded in moving forward and burying past traumas. Even though the Turkish nation has been able to look optimistically into the future, some are using past grievances as an instrument of fear, Erdoğan said. “There are those who are making efforts to create a new society of fear. When history is not enough, they create virtual fears and imaginary threats.” He said in the AK Party’s seven years in power, he has seen this many times. “No matter what long‐standing issue we tried to tackle, they put up obstacles in front of us. We said we want to get in the European Union, they said our national identity is in danger. We said Cyprus, they said ‘our national interests are under threat’. We said we want zero problems with our neighbors, they said [Turkey’s foreign policy] axis is shifting. We said Armenia, they said Sevres. … And now, we say the process of national unity and brotherhood [referring to the democratic initiative], they say it is treason, they say it is separation. The same politics, the same attitude and I am sorry to say this but they are displaying the same cowardly approach.” He also talked about the recent discussions on alleged illegal wiretappings of the offices of judiciary members. “Those who are trying to make this look like it is linked to the government are acting on ill will, they are trying to influence the public and create confusion,” he said. He said the wiretappings had nothing to do with the government. “And neither could this [link] ever happen.” He said the wiretapping scandal was now in hands of the judiciary and would be sorted out in the legal process. He said, “We see wiretapping without legal permission as disrespect for a person, whoever that person might be.” ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Self‐criticism in DTP; silence of the hawks ‐ 6 ‐ Monday, 23 November 2009 09:06 Todays Zaman ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Concerns and intimidation implying that Turkey is being divided in the aftermath of the announcement of the democratic opening have been replaced by discussions over the Ergenekon investigation. The leaders of the political parties had the opportunity to make a reasonable assessment following the completion of deliberations at parliamentary sessions. There is to be no change in the position of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which view the democratic initiative as a project of destruction. This position and the solidarity between these two political parties are so obvious that the MHP even sent a message to the CHP supporting its Dersim statement. The opposition bloc seems eager to develop its policy on the perceived destructive nature of the process. Because they have no useful material from the initial steps of the initiative, the opposition will most likely rely on the developments that took place during the return to Turkey of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants on Oct. 19. On the other hand, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Democratic Society Party (DTP) are clarifying their next steps. It should be noted that they are not acting as a unified bloc; quite the contrary, they are reminding each other of their responsibilities with respect to the initiative. The DTP has asked the government to take further steps, whereas the AK Party has called on the DTP figures not to make any mistakes so as to ensure that the initiative succeeds. The AK Party wants to keep the project alive and is also attempting to minimize the impact of the opposition bloc on public opinion. A leading party figure told me in a friendly chat of the difficult position of the DTP. They have asked for an acceleration of the process without any further waste of time.