Turkish Forum

Category: Main Issues

  • Jewish Professors call on Israel to recognize the Armenian Genocide

    Jewish Professors call on Israel to recognize the Armenian Genocide

    Following the Mediterranean Sea incident, as Israeli commandos intercepted Turkish Mavi Marmara aid ship, towing for Gaza, new crisis wave emerged in Israeli-Turkish relations. The sides addressed tough condemnations against each other on state and public level. Anti-Israeli moods intensified in Turkey.

    According to Firat news agency, 4 professors from the US Georgetown and Israeli Bar-Ilan Universities addressed a letter to the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and called on Tel Aviv to recognize the Armenian Genocide and make a due decision officially. The professors also urged Ankara to at least grant status of autonomy to the millions of Kurds living in Turkey.

  • “Greater Middle East” gradually becoming a reality

    “Greater Middle East” gradually becoming a reality

    No matter how strongly the Government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan may support the current administration of Ayatollah Khamenei, Tehran simply does not believe it and would not admit even the thought of Turkey being representative of the Muslim world.

    “Greater Middle East” is gradually becoming a reality. The struggle for the place of a regional power between Turkey and Iran, both bordering with Armenia, has slipped “under the carpet”, and let no one be caught at the support that Erdogan gives to the nuclear program of Iran. Armenia, in this case, must build relations with its neighbors, based on the belief “my enemy’s enemy is my friend”. And though this system sometimes fails, it works in general, and it will work in case of Armenia, especially since the relations were unruffled, and became even better after certain incidents. Similarly, the Israeli-Turkish relations may smoothly grow into Armenian-Israeli. But in the latter case there is still a long way to go.

    PanARMENIAN.Net – Relations with Iran are good in general and have a tendency to expand, particularly in the energy sector. Iran has already built two small hydropower plants on the Araks River; the Iran-Armenia pipeline, built within the program of diversification of energy supplies to Armenia, is successfully completed. Construction of a petroleum refinery in Southern Armenia (Meghri) is in the design phase. Feasibility study was carried out by Russian and Armenian specialists. The two countries have had no hard or bloody past, and the Armenian community in Iran, amounting to about 200,000 people, enjoys the locals’ respect. In the Karabakh issue Iran is neutral, but she is always ready to offer her services as a mediator. However, Iran cannot become an OSCE Minsk Group member, and, consequently, she cannot be an intermediary. Yet, it must be admitted that with Iran’s support there would have been registered some progress in this issue. Let us not forget that Iran is in rather difficult relations with neighboring Azerbaijan, which lays claims to the province of Southern Azerbaijan, and believes that it is her territory. Despite the positive statements by Azerbaijani officials about the “excellent relations with the friendly Islamic country”, everything is not actually so rosy. Azerbaijan’s territorial claims, coupled with the controversial status of the Caspian Sea could seriously damage relations between these two countries. In addition, Azerbaijan with extreme nervousness responds to the Armenian-Iranian relations, considering them as treacherous on the part of the Islamic country.

    As for Armenia, she needs normal relations with Iran, as the latter is one of the two land routes linking the country with the outer world. The Iranian route is longer but safer than the Georgian one. On the other hand, friendship with Iran is now a bit problematic because of the nuclear program. However, according to U.S. diplomats in Yerevan, the United States realizes the importance of Iran for Armenia (in blockade) and therefore regards the Armenian-Iranian relations with favour.

    There is another equally important aspect in Iran’s ambition to become a regional power: Islamism. The Islamic Republic believes that she should be the advocate of Islam in the region, and no one can replace her in this issue. Supported by Saudi Arabia, Turkey also seeks dominance in the region and gradually parts with secularism, thus rivaling Tehran. However, Iran simply will not allow such a turn of events. No matter how strongly the Government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan may support the current administration of Ayatollah Khamenei and how hard it may try to persuade Tehran that it respects Islamic values, Tehran simply does not believe it and would not admit even the thought of Turkey being representative of the Muslim world. The recent story of Free Gaza, which, at large, was meant to win the affection of the Arab world and show it that Islam for Ankara is more important than a close relationship with Israel, highlighted a number of problems that Turkey has with the Arab world, despite the fact that Erdogan solemnly declared: “The Turk cannot live without the Arab”. Nevertheless, however sad it might be for Ankara, Hamas has already refused her services, stressing that it prefers to deal only with Egypt.

    At first sight, Turkey is in normal relations with all the neighbors – from “brotherly” to “neutral”. But the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance believes that Armenia, in particular, must leave the security zone around the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and give up the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The reality is that it is still too early to speak of normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, and there are several reasons for it. There are serious internal political processes going in Turkey. The state of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has deteriorated after the scandalous resignation of major opposition member Deniz Baykal, as new leader of the Republican People’s Party Kemal Kilicdaroglu is determined, if not to win the elections next year, at least to reduce the number of deputies from the AKP. Premier Erdogan is obviously losing popularity, and in this respect improved relations with Armenia would be fatal for him. Turkish opposition, which is already unhappy with the foreign and domestic policy of Turkey, could easily dethrone the unwanted premier. However, hardly will the army intervene this time, since the Prime Minister has taken care to gain the ear of most of the military. But Turkey is a country quite unpredictable in some issues, and what will happen after the referendum on September 12 is difficult to predict.

    , 11 June 2010

  • Israel worried by new Turkey intelligence chief’s defense of Iran

    Israel worried by new Turkey intelligence chief’s defense of Iran

    Israeli sources believe Hakan Fidan aided in orchestrating an intentional change in relations between Israel and Turkey.

    By Amir Oren

    Warsaw GhettoThe Israeli defense establishment – and especially the Mossad’s foreign relations department, which maintains ties with Turkey’s national intelligence organization (MIT ) – is concerned over the recent appointment of Hakan Fidan as head of that organization, and the implications of that appointment vis-a-vis Turkish relations with Israel and Iran.

    Ten days ago, Hakan Fidan, 42, a personal confidant of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, assumed the post of head of MIT, which combines the functions of the Mossad and Shin Bet security force.

    Israeli security sources believe last week’s the Mavi Marmara incident reflects an intentional change in relations between Israel and Turkey – orchestrated by Erdogan, along with Fidan and Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu.

    There is no concrete information, however, regarding Fidan’s involvement in the incident or his ties with IHH, the group that organized the flotilla.

    In meetings between Mossad officials and others in the local political-security establishment, it was noted that Fidan has close ties with Erdogan’s Islamist party, and that during the past year he was deputy director of the prime minister’s office and played a central role in tightening Turkish ties with Iran, especially on the nuclear issue.

    Fidan’s appointment at MIT will help strengthen Erdogan’s control over certain civilian elements in the Turkish intelligence community, both in terms of determining foreign and defense policy, and also vis-a-vis members of the senior military echelons, who are considered to be a central threat to the Islamist party’s power.

    To date intelligence ties between Israel and Turkey have been good, in parallel to the good relations between the Israel Defense Forces and the Turkish military, and their respective intelligence services.

    In April the last head of MIT, Emre Taner, retired after a five-year stint. Erdogan appointed Fidan as acting head then, but he only formally took over late last month. Fidan served in the Turkish military for 15 years, until 2001, but was not an officer.

    MIT has extensive authority, in both internal security and foreign intelligence gathering. Its chief answers directly to the prime minister, although the law obliges him also to report to the president, the chief of staff and the country’s National Security Council.

    Fidan completed a B.A. at the University of Maryland, and he completed his master’s and doctorate in Ankara. His dissertation was a comparative analysis of the structure of U.S., British and Turkish intelligence organizations.

    After his military service, Fidan served in the Turkish embassy in Australia, and last year he represented Ankara in the International Atomic Energy Agency, where he defended Iran’s right to carry on with its nuclear program for “peaceful purposes.”

    With Davutoglu, Fidan formulated last month’s uranium transfer deal between Turkey, Brazil and Iran.

    Apparently, he supports the idea of splitting MIT’s authority into an internal and an external intelligence organization, like in Israel, Britain and the United States. It is reported that he intends to concentrate on “institutional” tasks and to work with an independent security service, one of whose main purposes is to deal with the Kurdish PKK organization – partly to deflect criticism of his appointment.

    In Israel there is concern Fidan’s appointment will have a two-pronged effect: on one hand, that exchange of intelligence between the two countries will be harmed, and on the other, that Israel will have to limit the transfer of information to Turkey, out of a concern that it may be passed on to enemy organizations or states.

    , 07.06.10

  • Operation Mini Cast Lead

    Operation Mini Cast Lead

    By Gideon Levy

    Palestinian Native AmericanLike in “Mini-Israel,” the park where there is everything, but smaller, Israel embarked yesterday on a mini Operation Cast Lead. Like its larger, losing predecessor, this operation had it all: the usual false claim that is was they who had started it – and not the landing of commandos from helicopters on a ship in open sea, away from Israeli territorial waters. There was the claim that the first act of violence came not from the soldiers, but the rioting activists on Mavi Marmara; that the blockade on Gaza is legal and that the flotilla to its shores is against the law – God knows which law.

    Again came the claim of self defense, that “they lynched us” and that all the dead are on their side. Once more the use of violence and excessive and lethal force was in play and once more civilians wound up dead.

    This action also featured the pathetic focus on “public relations,” as if there is something to explain, and again the sick question was asked: Why didn’t the soldiers use more force.

    Again Israel will pay a heavy diplomatic price, once which had not been considered ahead of time. Again, the Israeli propaganda machine has managed to convince only brainwashed Israelis, and once more no one asked the question: What was it for? Why were our soldiers thrown into this trap of pipes and ball bearings? What did we get out of it?

    If Cast Lead was a turning point in the attitude of the world toward us, this operation is the second horror film of the apparently ongoing series. Israel proved yesterday that it learned nothing from the first movie.

    Yesterday’s fiasco could and should have been prevented. This flotilla should have been allowed to pass and the blockade should be brought to an end.

    This should have happened a long time ago. In four years Hamas has not weakened and Gilad Shalit was not released. There was not even a sign of a gain.

    And what have we instead? A country that is quickly becoming completely isolated. This is a place that turns away intellectuals, shoots peace activists, cuts off Gaza and now finds itself in an international blockade. Once more yesterday it seemed, and not for the first time, that Israel is increasingly breaking away from the mother ship, and losing touch with the world – which does not accept its actions and does not understand its motives.

    Yesterday there was no one on the planet, not a newsman or analyst, except for its conscripted chorus, who could say a good word about the lethal takeover.

    The Israel Defense Forces too came out looking bad again. The magic evaporated long ago, the most moral army in the world, that was once the best army in the world, failed again. More and more there is the impression that nearly everything it touches causes harm to Israel.

    https://www.haaretz.com/2010-06-01/ty-article/operation-mini-cast-lead/0000017f-db60-db22-a17f-fff155150000, 01.06.10

  • Election Process in Nagorno Karabakh

    Election Process in Nagorno Karabakh

    After the collapse of Soviet Union there was unsolved problem of Caucasus which is named Nagorno Karabakh. In the date of May 23, 2010 very important progress has been experienced in Karabakh. Seperatist government of Karabakh realised an election which is not accepted by governments and international organizations because of giving message of it is an independent government. It was the fifth election since 1993 and 4 party and 45 candidate was competed for 33 chairs and Free Motherland Party has performed to the leadership. The election which is involved of 70 percent of Karabakh public has born big discussions in a few time.

    Arayik Harutyunyan which is the Prime Minister of de-facto Karabakh government is still maintaining leadership of Free Motherland Party. Karabakh Democratic Party, Karabakh Communist Party and Armenian Revolutionist Federation are the other parties which involved to these elections. Free Motherland Party has taken approximately 50 percent of votes and there was more than 100 international observers in these elections.

    Seperatist regime in Karabakh caused a new paradox especially in Minsk Group’s peace progress. Nagorno Karabakh is actually in the land of Azebaijan but it is occupied bu Armenia without any law suitable to intenational law and now it is making election as it is independent government this was took a hard response from international community. Approaching of Azerbaijani community in Karabakh to this election was firstly occupiers must leave Karabakh and Azerbaijani community must return to their land, Azerbaijani and Armenian people must leave together with a new order. After these conditions provided then any election can be legitamate. Any election without these points would be the continous of unlawful status. If subject is critised with Madrid Principles which is the last point of Minsk Process Armenian one sided attitude in peace process. After the elections Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edvard Nalbandyan declared that elections were free and democratic and it had created a legitimate government. He said many independent observes had been in elections. And international community has to have good relationships with new government if they wants the problems solved. Bako Sahakyan who is President of seperatist Karabakh government said that elections were independently and independency of Karabakh has to be recognised and people of Karabakh choices has to be respected.
    At the point reached in this situation Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia and international organizations in many countries of the Minsk Group declared elections have no legal basis and neither side expressed concern. Azerbaijan has condemned the situation with a sharp tongue and wanted to show the same reaction from the United Nations. OSCE (European Security and Cooperation Organization), United Nations, European Union, the United States and Russia underlined that choices do not solve the problem, contrary it would cause to continue stated problem.(1) The parties that emphasized current trend must continue and for ensuring legitimacy Madrid Principles have to be accepted by Armenia.
    According to the recommedations in full text in Madrid Principles created in 2007 and presented in last year so far many problems have to be solved and agreement for Karabakh’s new status have to be reached. Realisation of substances in recommendations has become more difficult because of final steps of Armenia.
    Recommendations to the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia:

    1. Until the elections which will be held in 2008, consists of the following principles must be tailored to the bill:
    a. The location of the security and international peace-keeping force must be guaranteed.
    b. Armed forces of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Lachin Kelbajar and especially around the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh must leave the entire land.
    c. Forced immigrants must return to their lands .
    d. Current status of Nagorno Karabakh should be determined by the voting system, and until that its temporary status should be designated and, all traffic and trade routes should be opened
    2. All shares are being agreed for the controversial section should be indicated.
    3. With elections to be held in 2008 in the campaign appropriate environment should be prepared to political leaders to create positive atmosphere for peace and tranquility.
    Recommendations for Armenia, Azerbaijan and de-facto government Nagorno-Karabakh

    4. Sides should act in accordance with the cease-fire signed in 1994. Should leave the show of force, to increase their defense budgets, the mutual accusations, agitations and drive away from peace statements should be left.
    5. Diplomacy outside activities, including the above principles have been agreed at talks about the decision should continue. Even countries councils should be encouraged to do the negotiations and relations between Azerbaijanis and Armenians should try to strengthen.
    6. Nagorno-Karabakh’s de-facto administration should put an end to the to be placed on the Armenians in the occupied land , to the continuation of privatization activities in the region, the creation of new building space, to the construction of local buildings.
    7. Azerbaijan Nagorno should recognise the possibility Azerbaijani leaders to select their own community should recognize the possibility of oil revenues to benefit all citizens and immigrants to increase transparency and reduce corruption in the trials should be done. (2)
    Many of the issues, Armenia’s “rejection of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan” could not be applied over because of Armenia’s “rejection of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan”. Time to time, Armenia use it put forward in the country fear mood to impress international community and the world public opinion should recognize Karabakh as an independent state.
    New Approaches of Regional Powers

    Elections have been held in Karabakh since 1993, lack of response as big as this because there is no positive state before 2000. But in the reached point Armenia’s passive-Karabakh policy stopped peace negotiations to accelerate, the Minsk Group to the region continuously for the loss of visits to perform. By following this policy in Bishkek Protocol, 1994 Management and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh problem has managed to pass to the official notes that Armenia has been pursuing the same policy in the new era. If the last review in 2009 will be seen that the rhetoric, stating that Azerbaijan has always followed an aggressive policy to Armenia, the situation does not continue in their favor they would recognize Karabakh as an independent state has indicated.
    In 2010 Turkey, Russia and the U.S. about the growing activities impress Armenia to new conditions. Igor Popov told the Russian Co-chairman of the Minsk Group, Russia’s active policy in solving the problem in this country will follow soon matter stated. Again, after elections in the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko, Karabakh in any way they don’t recognise Karabakh as an independent state and they respect to integrity of Azerbaijan and that the Karabakh problem should be resolved in this framework stated.(3) Turkey, aim at develop the relations with Armenia prerequisite to emphasize reiterating the urgent need to solve the Karabakh issue and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan guarantee is not broken by any power. They think to bring Turkey to Co-chairman status to Minsk Group and give very active part to Turkey to solve this problem. After a long break while the U.S. ambassador to Baku was appointed as the Minsk Group Matthew Bryza of the United States has made a Co-chairman. Karabakh in particular the U.S usually in the Caucasus policy, the new expansions will be performed in the new era of Armenia’s stance will be shaped by the U.S. and other countries.
    Armenia may be exposed to various pressures because of attitude in the new era may be exposed to various pressures and position themselves in the region will open to outside intervention can make out. In this issue of Turkey in Turkish-Armenian relations towards Karabakh any objection to the requirement did not matter. Regardless of the region as a unilateral world needs to accept that indicates that Armenia will take steps soon again will be determined by the attitude of the international community. Follow-driven politics since independence, Armenia, because of the Russian new attitude it can not see the hope. The increasing U.S. influence in Azerbaijan, with its headquarters location becomes more difficult for Armenia, the adoption of the principles can be subjected to the pressure on the inside. The economic problems of the Armenian people living today, the social crisis brought and vast majority of people do not give importance about the Karabakh issue as they has in the past.
    Mehmet Fatih ÖZTARSU – Institute of Strategic Thinking
    http://sde.org.tr/

    (1) ATET Dağlıq Qarabağda Keçirilen Seçkini Tanımır, ,
    (2) Mehmet Fatih Öztarsu, Madrid Prensipleri ve Karabağ Görüşmeleri, Stratejik Düşünce Enstitüsü, ,
    (3) Panorama Armenia, https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2010/05/24/rf-mid-nkr/1103483
  • CYPRUS: NEWS FROM TRNC

    CYPRUS: NEWS FROM TRNC

    PRESIDENT  EROGLU BRIEFS POLITICAL PARTIES

    President Dervis Eroglu has briefed leaders of political parties having seats at the TRNC parliament on course of the negotiation process. The President will also inform the Council of Ministers on the issue today.

    Following the two hours long  meeting, the  leaders of the political parties  commented on the meeting to the press respectively.

    Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk said the President gave information regarding his first meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader and also commented on the next meeting.

    Main opposition party, Republican Turkish Party Leader  Ferdi Sabit Soyer speaking to the reporters draw importance to the recent decisions taken by the  European Court of Human Rights and said the ECHR   has confirmed the fact that  it is not only the former owner of  a particular property  that has rights but  those people  who are currently in possession of  that particular property  have rights as well.

    The Leader of Democrat Party Serdar Denktas  said they warned President on a possible fait accompli and said give and take process should not start at the  negotiations  before agreeing on all issues.

    The Leader of the Communal  Democracy Party Mehmet Cakıcı pointed out that   it was wrong to start the property chapter before completing  the chapter on governance and power sharing.

    For his part,  the Leader of the  Freedom and Reform Party Turgay Avcı said  they were pleased to see that the negotiation process would continue from where it was left off.

    EROGLU “I WILL PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF TURKISH CYPRIOTS AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE”

    President Eroglu – who will meet with Greek Cypriot Leader Christofias on Thursday – has repeated that he would be protecting the rights of the Cyprus Turkish People at the table.  He said everyone  should know that he  was not intending to give up  Turkish Cypriots’ rights  at the negotiating table.

    Speaking during a visit paid to him yesterday, President Eroglu said that the Cyprus issue does not only concern the presidency but also all segments of society. The President also reiterated that he does not intend to leave the negotiations table.

    Referring to his first meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader last week, he said that there were attempts to play tricks.

    What is binding on me is the letter I sent to the UN Secretary General. In this letter, the strategy and policies to be followed by me at the talks were explained in detail. The UN Chief or his representative may issue some statements. These are not binding on us” the President said, noting that there hasn’t been an agreement reached yet.