Where does Turkey Want to Go? All the world leaders, who see the capture of Saddam Hussein as an end of an era and the start of a new dawn in the Middle East, cheered the arrest of the deposed Iraqi president. The requirement being a leader: they immediately organized press conferences, even heads of state of countries that had opposed the war, spoke out [and offered congratulations to the U.S.]. And Iran also did not conceal its joy.

Even though the Cyprus elections were overshadowed by Saddam’s capture, the headline of a series I had written, that was published in Zaman days ago, turned out to be a reality: “Cyprus Public Divided Into Two, Election Too Close to Call.” My exact prediction was based on thorough social, cultural and structural analyses, and the election results proved me right. As I said, a 50-50 result would raise the question, ‘what will happen in Cyprus?’ And just as I predicted, this question has dropped into the heart of the agenda. How will this tangled bobble be untangled in Cyprus, that will become European territory with Greek Cyprus joining the EU? To find solutions for the future expectations of the people, who are almost divided 50-50 by hope and fear, the politicians’ and Turkey’s attitude will be the determining factors, even for our EU accession date as well. I wouldn’t know how the Turkish government’s passive and hesitant attitude on every important situation, would be able to shape up our future. To be determined means to have a policy. On the other hand, if the government adopts an attitude of shying away from clear-cut policies and talks, it may pave the way for pessimistic predictions. How historic this time period we are living through is, and standing in focal point for change, should be a position that is realized by the rulers. Turkey should unite in thought with Islam and secularism. Without this key, it would not be possible to open the EU door. Talking to our delegation, the internal and foreign affairs officials we met in Germany, said they back Turkey’s political reforms. Germany seems to be deciding in favor of Turkey’s accession to the EU, as the officials we talked to, made explicit statements on this issue. In the meantime, they are trying to understand the subject of Islam and Muslims. They now see the Turkish-Islamic Union of the Institute of Religion (DITIB), and the Federation of Alevi Associations in Germany, as the addresses in this regard. Integration projects are being prepared and efforts are being made to implement them. Within this context, the officials who taught imams German, are in addition trying to make them gain social functionality. They are also expanding the project to include the education of imams in Germany as well. The ‘Dialogue With Imams Project’ was launched last year with the aim of uniting imams. While the Germans are taking steps on these subjects, our question to them on the headscarf issue, was seen as something far from the social and cultural realities. German Muslims Center Vice President Muhammed Hobohm stated: “As Muslims, all we are saying is that we have more important issues, other than the Mulim koshering and headscarf, to deal with. These matters harm our image. Islam deserves much more than this, because it is the Muslims living in Europe who create the Muslim image. We should talk about the essence of Islam, however, because of speculative and political issues, we have not arrived at that yet.” As he talked, I remembered a New York chitchat with Fethullah Gulen in 1997, in which he [Gulen] said: “Islam is not a costume religion. To dwell upon the shape means to limit the horizon of Islam, to be tedious. Impositions and insistence on the subject are intemperance and coercion, they are even the cause of hate. In the heart, love is important, to be endearing is important.” As a non-political and sincere Muslim, Hobohm also uttered these words with a great humility. Whereas in Turkey, divinity schools, professors, journalists and many other people still say: “Puritan-like Selefism and Vahhabism are good. The Turkish-Islam concept is not modern. Who is Mevlana, if we take him out, what will Islam lose? Turkey should decide sooner rather than later, because these issues are going to designate its route. 12.17.2003

As a result of the recent elections, the Cyprus tale is not a tale anymore, the public decided to write the end of the tale in their own will.

When individual realities become policies, the real will emerges and this showed its first reaction in the December 2003 elections. When I went to Cyprus to take the pulse of the island, [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] TRNC President Rauf Denktas had told me: “If I win the election, I will sit at the table with both the Greek Cypriots and the European Union (EU). I will work for a solution.” However, he did not win and thus launched an anti-solution campaign to punish the public. On the other hand, Peace and Democracy Movement leader Mustafa Akinci had said, “The ones who want to escape from the basic principles of the Annan Plan are the Greek side; however, we are seeing a spoilsport. The hand of the Greek side is strengthening.” Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat by saying, “If Denktas is removed from the equation, the real picture would emerge. How Greeks and Turks examine the issue would be understood by the world. If Denktas is out of the equation, then the Greeks would be seen as those against conciliation,” had predicted the present situation as a politician with vision. My observation is that Talat has closely examined the double-faced Greek policies that have been pursued for more than 30 years. It made it easier to understand that the Greek Cypriots do not have any will for a solution by making it look easier to sit at the [negotiation] table. Even the European Union (EU) lambasted the Greek Cypriots for deceiving them. Those who embraced some prejudices as knowledge, and have not let them go for years, without realizing that they were partial, had to accept being deceived. The ‘no’ vote surpassing 75 percent deciphered the policy of the Greek side. The policy of the [Greek Cypriots] based on Turkish enmity of years became outdated; however, they will become Europeans themselves. What a cold shower for the EU! Our addressee should not be the Greek side anymore. We have to address the EU. It is time to bury the policy of concession and display a non-concession policy. We have to increase anti-Greek Cypriot lobby activities, we have to explain that their actions do not constitute a good political culture on democracy and human rights. The Greek side has left the table and now the Turks are sitting around it. After May 1, whether or not the TRNC joins the EU is no longer an issue of only two communities. There are two options here for Europe: 1) To assume that the TRNC does not exist, 2) or by accepting its existence start a new negotiation and dialogue process. Because the Turks are ‘presumably the non-existing’ side according to the Greek Cypriots, the EU has to solve this dilemma within itself. Is it possible to consider an existence as non-existence? Besides, a second referendum definitely cannot be accepted because the majority of the Greek side voted for rejection. The referendum demand is nonsensical, by trying to leave everything as it was before, without processing new negotiations and strengthening our hand. [Greek Cypriot leader Tassos] Papadopoulos and Denktas have no role within the EU accession process of the TRNC. Neither the village trip of Bulent Ecevit nor the ambition of Denktas was enough to affect the society. These are not the leaders of a transforming society. This is so very obvious. Although the Greek Cypriots, who only produced policies presenting Turkey as an aggressive country to the world, were so pleased with the veto of the Russians who sell rockets to them, Europe and America now question their current views. Turkey has to continue its solution-oriented policies by taking the initiative. Lobby activities should be given paramount importance. ——————————————————————————– Solution Under Current Circumstances As a result of the recent elections, the Cyprus tale is not a tale anymore, the public decided to write the end of the tale in their own will. When individual realities become policies, the real will emerges and this showed its first reaction in the December 2003 elections. When I went to Cyprus to take the pulse of the island, [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] TRNC President Rauf Denktas had told me: “If I win the election, I will sit at the table with both the Greek Cypriots and the European Union (EU). I will work for a solution.” However, he did not win and thus launched an anti-solution campaign to punish the public. On the other hand, Peace and Democracy Movement leader Mustafa Akinci had said, “The ones who want to escape from the basic principles of the Annan Plan are the Greek side; however, we are seeing a spoilsport. The hand of the Greek side is strengthening.” Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat by saying, “If Denktas is removed from the equation, the real picture would emerge. How Greeks and Turks examine the issue would be understood by the world. If Denktas is out of the equation, then the Greeks would be seen as those against conciliation,” had predicted the present situation as a politician with vision. My observation is that Talat has closely examined the double-faced Greek policies that have been pursued for more than 30 years. It made it easier to understand that the Greek Cypriots do not have any will for a solution by making it look easier to sit at the [negotiation] table. Even the European Union (EU) lambasted the Greek Cypriots for deceiving them. Those who embraced some prejudices as knowledge, and have not let them go for years, without realizing that they were partial, had to accept being deceived. The ‘no’ vote surpassing 75 percent deciphered the policy of the Greek side. The policy of the [Greek Cypriots] based on Turkish enmity of years became outdated; however, they will become Europeans themselves. What a cold shower for the EU! Our addressee should not be the Greek side anymore. We have to address the EU. It is time to bury the policy of concession and display a non-concession policy. We have to increase anti-Greek Cypriot lobby activities, we have to explain that their actions do not constitute a good political culture on democracy and human rights. The Greek side has left the table and now the Turks are sitting around it. After May 1, whether or not the TRNC joins the EU is no longer an issue of only two communities. There are two options here for Europe: 1) To assume that the TRNC does not exist, 2) or by accepting its existence start a new negotiation and dialogue process. Because the Turks are ‘presumably the non-existing’ side according to the Greek Cypriots, the EU has to solve this dilemma within itself. Is it possible to consider an existence as non-existence? Besides, a second referendum definitely cannot be accepted because the majority of the Greek side voted for rejection. The referendum demand is nonsensical, by trying to leave everything as it was before, without processing new negotiations and strengthening our hand. [Greek Cypriot leader Tassos] Papadopoulos and Denktas have no role within the EU accession process of the TRNC. Neither the village trip of Bulent Ecevit nor the ambition of Denktas was enough to affect the society. These are not the leaders of a transforming society. This is so very obvious. Although the Greek Cypriots, who only produced policies presenting Turkey as an aggressive country to the world, were so pleased with the veto of the Russians who sell rockets to them, Europe and America now question their current views. Turkey has to continue its solution-oriented policies by taking the initiative. Lobby activities should be given paramount importance. April 27, 2004

The French nation, which is one of the founding members and constitutes the backbone of the European Union (EU), has said “no” to the EU. Having been established so far at commissions according to political and intellectual intentions, the EU collapsed as soon as it descended to the people. Is France that made the EU go through a real shock, the black sheep of Europe?

There were many possibilities and intentions, but this event that has left everything behind, has become the truth itself. Now everyone is saying something. Le Parisien with the headline, “The ‘No’ is taking root,’” says, “This is not a ‘no” that emerged out of bad temper, but a “no” that rose out of strong convictions.” Spain’s El Mundo foresees Europe returning to the past. The commentary that appeared in this paper seems to be saying, “all developments indicate we are going back to the era of preserving and defending national interests and selfishness, instead of reconciliation and solidarity.” While defining the joint project at issue, the chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Elmar Brok, mentions Turkey, and by saying that they want Europe to remain European, and proposing the option of privileged partnership to Turkey and other countries which are not European, Brok clearly says that Turkey is trapped between pincers of selfish political interests. French Foreign Minister Michael Barnier claims that “the European Project will be delayed politically without the EU Constitution,” and “France and Europe will become powerless against globalization.” Barnier is right in saying, “The US and China will not wait for us,” the economic center is gradually moving to Asia and this is already a visible target. The leader of Austria’s junior coalition partner and right-wing extremist Freedom Party (FPÖ), Heinz Christian Strache, welcomes the referendum result with “joy.” He shows an example of extreme biasedness by saying, “It is a beautiful day for Europe and its countries.” As it authenticates the cautious approach of his country on European integration, Swiss Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz indicates he is happy with the French “no” to the EU’s first constitution. As if these are not the countries that want to establish the EU! Now, what is this joy all about? Europe has turned into nursing home for the elderly, and its cranky elderly are grumbling. The German butchers who became jobless after the Polish butchers came, and the French workers who lost their jobs with the coming of Polish parquet layers, loathe the cheap Slovaks, Poles and all foreigners. The elderly are not only afraid that their retirement benefits will not to be paid, they are also afraid of foreigners, the darkheads and the bag-snatchers. The old members want to remain isolated in the elderly housing complex. They want to remain in isolation within the EU. The spoiled Greece they admitted has also shown us that there is no such thing as EU values. The female Greek singer and her band, who won the recent Eurovision Song Contest, made rude hand gestures to our singer as rude as Europeans can be! The whole world knows about their opening summer camps for racist organizations from all over the world. European culture is based on selfishness, it is a place where people had slaughtered each other and then turned their racist points of view into a lifestyle. An academic from the Netherlands said, “Anyone who hears the word Turk in Holland or France gets gooseflesh.” What intolerance! The German mentality which has refused to accept Turkish workers as immigrants for 40 years, failed to accept the so-called immigration law in January this year. Hence, what has happened is that there is a rise in racism and racist attitudes. [Angela] Merkel launched a joint signature campaign with Nazi groups and skinheads in order that “Turks should not join the EU.” The political, social and cultural models of European countries are crashing. Nationalism is nurtured and orchestrated, and nations become more and more introverted. The penurious Germans are trying not to give a single penny to anyone. The reaction to the leaders who cannot solve these problems of rising poverty, inequality and unemployment materializes via a “no” to the EU. The old-fashioned bureaucracies and old people in Europe, whose understanding of the state has collapsed, are resisting. May 31, 2005 To the editor: Vasili Soultoukis

Religions and beliefs were side by side. Hundreds of people, Buddhist, Muslim, Orthodox, Syriac; Rabbi, Catholic and Orthodox representatives from 26 countries, donning their splendid ceremonial attires and symbols greeted the people in the hall. Among the impressive dresses, colors and symbols, Mustafa Cagrici looked very alien with his attire, that included a nearly century-old necktie. Unfortunately, Turkey represented a stance of non-identity with this dress, that did not befit hundreds of years of civilization and religious representation. Laws and conditions may have been different yesterday, however, at least donning a traditional dress and symbol for this occasion would have been more meaningful today. In fact, it is impossible for someone who does not know anything about Turkey to understand where this culture and religion belong. Living with the fears of the 19th century, in a world where cultures are being marketed, means we have been left outside. The Armenian church speaking Turkish, Syrian religious leaders and a chief rabbi also represented our cultural heritage. There are many things that could be said about the symposium. But if you ask about the most basic emotion, it was people of all religions and beliefs, and also unbelievers, sitting side by side, and their speaking and eating together. The masses who belong to these religions and beliefs will question their prejudices when they look at this picture. They will say if our leader sat there, I should also reconsider my negative feelings. If you ask whether this will be enough to stop those who complain about fanaticism, but later express the most narrow-minded views in their news reports, I would say, it is better not to expect anything from those who prepare news items without consulting influential scientists, religious leaders and intellectuals. The DA Platform (Dialogue Assistance Platform), which organized the forum, is a success for the independent civil initiative. Working wholeheartedly with a staff made up of only a few people and integrated with the DA Journal, the platform aims to restore respect for differences, because, the loss of differences is a nightmare that leads to violence. We had a chat with a priest, Bup Hyun, who came from Korea and is a member of the Buddhist TaeGo Order. There was a picture of a lovely child priest on his card. I asked him what that meant. He replied: “Buddhism is being considered as something very difficult and confusing. We use the picture of children in order to prove quite the opposite.” He in fact talked about the ability of being able to look at life and the universe like a child, with love and surprise. He went on: “If we liken the world to a garden, it would be boring if there is the same flower all the time or only roses. Various flowers, colors and smells beautify our garden.” Ilber Ortayli’s remarks that “Culture means peace” and Kenan Gursoy’s assessment that “Those who want to exclude religion from history have failed,” were remembered as much as the statement of former Indonesian parliament speaker that “The terrorist is one who thinks of himself as superior to God.” The mufti of Istanbul also underlined a crucial point: “In the past, people thought that an understanding of ethics with no reference to religion would save the world. If we weaken the sacred power, we make it fall into dangerous hands. An idea may easily be attributed to sacredness and this could turn into an ideology if there is no religious belief. All theories on terrorism stem from this, because once the sacredness that belongs to religion is clarified, all ideas are set free. They might change and are debatable. That is to say, tolerance grows and develops. Believers should undertake this duty.” Armenian Church Deputy Patriarch Masalyan told a short story: “A priest gives a stick to a sexton before his sermon. The sexton asks, ‘Should I poke those who sleep with this stick?’ The priest says ‘no’, ‘you should poke me with the stick during the sermon so that I wouldn’t make people sleep.’” Speaking for Italian Muslims, an attendant said: “It is believed that Arabs represent Islam. Islam is universal.” From Moscow, I moved on to Bergama for a conference. I benefited from the tolerance our culture internalized into the 69th Bergama Festival. Five thousand people came for a concert and they sang all the folk-songs that originated among Alevi, Southeastern and Laz people. Bergama Mayor Rasit Urper and his spouse have worked for the development of Bergama, where Yoruk, Pomat, Albanian, Yugoslav and Bulgarian immigrants are living. The village of Daghistan where Daghistani natives came and settled 300 years ago is very modern. People who educate their children, send them abroad due to lack of investment. There is a very beautiful synagogue and the plan of the building is ready as well, but there is no one to restore it. If you visit Bergama one day, you will never forget it. June 14, 2005 06.15.2005

Birkaç yıl önce 850. yılını kutlayan Moskova’da 1989-90 yıllarında hiçbir şey yoktu. Misket kadar elmalar ve portakallar meyve olarak satılır, boş rafların önünde hüzünlü kızlar otururdu.
 

Kıbrıs halkı ikiye bölünmüş, seçim burun farkıyla bitebilir

Kıbrıs için 14 Aralık seçimleri bir dönüm noktası. Yazarımız Nevval Sevindi, Kıbrıs’ın ‘karar günü’ olan 14 Aralık seçimleri öncesi, adanın nabzını tuttu. Denktaş’tan muhalefete, Rum’undan Kıbrıs Türkü’ne, Türkiye’den göçenlerden kaçak çalışanlara, Kıbrıs’taki tüm katmanlarla görüştü, seçimler ve sonrasına ilişkin hayalleri ve beklentileri dinledi.
 

Bir ÖSS travması daha idrak edilmiş bulunuyor. Türkiye’nin enerjisini emen bu sınava 1.730.000 öğrenci giriyor. Açıköğretim dahil sadece 400.000 kişi yerleşebilecek eğitim programlarına  

Ege Denizi’nin hırçın mavisinde bitmeyen enerjisiyle kum taşlarını oyarak kendine dantelalar örmüş. Dalgaların çarptığı kayalıklarda yosun ve midye kokusu burnumu gıdıklıyor. Çocukluğuma uzanan o yolda beni koşturuyor.