Istanbul Summit Brings EU, OIC Leaders Together
East meets West to discuss urgent global issues
The Turkish Times with wire services - Leaders of the European Union (EU) and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) countries came together in Istanbul to discuss urgent global issues. In the first meeting of its kind, government ministers of 72 countries held a two-day summit in a former Ottoman palace overlooking the Bosporus. Istanbul, as the host city, served the occasion well since it is the cultural and geographical bridge that connects Europe to Asia. The predominantly Muslim but avowedly secular Turkey is the only Islamic country on the EU's list of prospective members.

The EU and OIC groups tried to develop a platform and understanding and a context for meaningful discourse to close the gap that opened in the aftremath of Sept 11 attacks. The participants agreed that a settlement of the MidEast conflict was key to preventing Muslim resentment of the West. However, when it came to issuing the condemnation of Israel, a consensus could not be reached.

Ismail Cem
As the host of the conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem warned against the dire consequences to follow if the needs of the "frustrated generations" are not met properly.

Cem called for urgent efforts to destroy "deep-rooted prejudices" exposed by September 11. Rich countries must work with the underprivileged, he said, to promote economic, social and cultural justice and prevent the emergence of frustrated, militant generations.

"One of the first temptations that developed after September 11 was to identify terrorism on cultural and religious lines. This meant pitting one part of humanity against the other," Cem said in a statement to Reuters. "(But) it's now much better understood that terrorism does not have a religion."

"It becomes a necessary condition for the interest of all to contribute to economic, social, cultural and political justice," Cem said.

"Otherwise the frustrated generations will emerge exponentially."

Final Statement
"History has taught us that the lack of mutual knowledge and respect among civilizations can greatly affect world stability and peace,'' the nations said in a final statement.

The summit addressed many topics, but the Israel-Palestinian conflict took center stage.

The countries "underlined that for peace, stability and harmony to prevail, the Middle East conflict must be settled in a just and comprehensive manner,'' the final statement said.

Anti-Muslim bias
Many Islamic countries voiced concerns that bias against Muslims had increased since the attacks in New York and Washington. They also criticized close U.S. ties with Israel, as well as President Bush's description of Iraq and Iran as forming part of an "axis of evil.''

"The tragic events of Sept. 11 and their repercussions have shown the need to strengthen tolerance and understanding among different cultures to avoid reappearance of deeply rooted prejudices that can surface,'' the joint statement said.

All the nations strongly condemned the Sept. 11 attacks, describing them as "purely brutal acts of terrorism (that) cannot be explained or justified for religious, cultural or any other reasons whatsoever.''

But the attacks also "sparked a growing consciousness of the need for all sides to attempt to better understand the differences in perceptions, values and interests,'' it said.

While European nations sought to dispel fears of prejudice and distanced themselves from the U.S. position on relations with Iran and Iraq as well as policy on the Middle East, they noted that attitudes between the two blocs differ on issues such as women's rights and capital punishment.

Sen. McCain: "Turkey is a frontline state in the war on terrorism..."
"Turkey will be integral to any campaign against Iraq"
The Turkish Times - Senator John McCain (R) of Arizona, during a speech he delivered at the security conference in Munich, Germany, February 2-3, 2002, has emphasized Turkey's important role as a "frontline state" in fighting terrorism. By stressing Turkey's expected role in a possible future US-led military operation against Iraq, McCain gave credence to the rumors regarding Washington's designs over Baghdad. By doing that McCain has also heightened the anxiety level in Ankara since most Turks do not want to be implicated in a repeat of the post-Gulf-War fiasco in northern Iraq.

"The terrorist attacks, and the West's common response, have also highlighted the critical contributions of Turkey," McCain said. "Turkey is a frontline state in the war on terrorism, as was Germany a frontline state during the Cold War. Turkey has made important contributions to securing the peace in Afghanistan and will be integral to any campaign against Iraq."

"It is also central to our objectives of ending terrorism and promoting democratic stability in Central Asia. A tolerant Muslim nation with a secular government, Turkey's strong support and active cooperation demonstrate the fallacy our enemies would have the world believe: that our campaign against terrorism is a war against Islam. The support of Turkey, a loyal friend and ally, lays this myth to rest and stands in stark contrast to the disappointing cooperation we have received in this campaign from another erstwhile Muslim 'ally', Saudi Arabia."

"For too long, Europe has held Turkey at arm's length. NATO's southeast expansion would secure Europe's southern flank, enhance stability in the Western Balkans, and end Turkey's strategic isolation from the Alliance. It would help diminish continuing frictions in Turkey's relationship with EU, minimizing Turkish grievances over ESDP and opening the door to the development of effective coordination between the EU and NATO. A visionary enlargement of the NATO Alliance to the south combined with the EU's historic expansion to the east would bring about a new and welcome cohesion of Turkey to Europe. This is in the interests of Turkey, the European Union, the United States and NATO."

Amb. Pearson: "A Turk saved the life of my colleague"
Hurriyet [Translation of excerpts from a long interview with U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Robert Pearson published in Turkish in daily Hurriyet.]

A farm boy from Tennessee
"I come from a farm family in Tennessee and have five more brothers. Our forefathers migrated from England to Tennessee in 1830. We are farming since six generations. In our 500 acre farm hear Memphis, we plant cotton and soy beans. We raise cattle as well. Soy bean is not very popular in America. I don't eat it either. However we export a lot of it. I was 12 years old when I took the tractor's steering wheel on our farm as a boy in love with earth and nature. As the number-two child, I found myself always squeezed in between my two other brothers. I remember always trying to mediate between them and trying to find mutually-agreeable solutions to problems. At the end I discovered that I was a pretty good negotiation master. After finishing University of Virginia Law School in 1968, I chose diplomacy as a career."

Friend saved by a Turk
"I am very fond of Turks since that day 20 years ago when a colleague of mine was saved from death by a Turkish diplomat. Our embassy in a country that I'd rather not name was attacked and two Americans were killed. My friend managed to leave the embassy building. The person who found him on the street and saved his life was the Turkish diplomat Yusuf Buluc [who had just returned from New Delhi as the Turkish envoy to India]. Buluc took my friend to his home and took care of him like family. After things settled down, Buluc delivered my friend safely back to the U.S. Embassy. This memory will live in my memory as an example of the beauty of the Turkish people."

Golf heaven
"Turkey could become a golf heaven. I really believe that because I've played in all golf courses in Turkey. Turkey has many skilled golfers, Mustafa Koc for example. You can play year-around golf in Antalya, with the exception of July and August. However, it is not enough to have a nice course. You also must have an excellent infrastructure and implement a marketing plan for the American golfers.

I'm working to have more American golfers visit Turkey. For example, you could organize a real nice championship at Belek. The golf masters, including Tiger Woods, would come as long as it is made attractive for them."

Turkey or Turkiye?
"Don't change "Made in Turkey" to "Made in Turkiye" because the former is a world-renown brand name. Why are you going to change a name that everyone knows so well? When an American hears "Turkey" he does not recall the bird, just like [a Turk] does nor recall "corn" when you say "Misir" [Turkish for Egypt]."

Harley Davidson
"My love for Harley Davidson bikes started in Japan, where I served in the Navy. I purchased my first Harley about five years ago. It is here now with me. A classic "Springer Softail." One of Harley's oldest designs with 13500 cc engine. The speedometer says 140 miles for maximum speed but I could push it only up to 120 miles on an autobahn in France. I'm using it in Turkey over empty mountain roads whenever I can.

I do not believe in reincarnation. I wish I had a second chance. If I knew I was going to be reborn, I would buy a large boat and cross the oceans.

I am a big-time fan of the rock band ZZ Top. From Turkish rockers, I'm listening to Melih Kibar's "Yadigar" with great pleasure.

I used to know Chinese well enough to follow Chinese movies. Now I feel I started to forget a little. For an American, to learn Turkish is much easier than learning Chinese. I'm studying Turkish six hours a week with a professor. The first Turkish words I've learned were 'merhaba, tesekkur ederim, nasilsiniz.'"

Rep. Wexler Leads Delegation to Turkey
The Turkish Times - Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) will lead a congressional delegation to the Republic of Turkey to strengthen U.S.-Turkish relations and to foster increased strategic and economic cooperation between the two NATO allies.

Congressman Wexler, Co-Chairman of the Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans, will travel February 16 through February 22 along with fellow Caucus Members Kay Granger (R-TX), Jim Moran (D-VA), Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Tom Tancredo (R-CO).

The trip follows the introduction of a congressional resolution by Congressman Wexler that commends Turkey and Israel for their strong partnership and crucial support of America's war on international terrorism. The relationship between Israel and Turkey, which has improved dramatically in recent years, has led to increased stability and security in the region and has improved cooperation on economic, military, cultural, and strategic matters. Reps. Crenshaw (R-FL), Moran (D-VA), Foley (R-FL), and Lantos (D-CA) joined Wexler to introduce the bipartisan resolution.

The congressional delegation will travel to Turkish capital of Ankara, where they will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Speaker of the Parliament Omer Izgi, and other top Turkish officials. The meetings will focus on strengthening U.S.-Turkish relations with respect to counter-terrorism, defense, and energy. Pressing foreign policy issues regarding Afghanistan, Israeli-Turkish Relations, Iraq, the Middle East, the Balkans, Central Asia, and the Caucasus region will also be highlighted. The upcoming U.S.-Turkey Economic Partnership Commission, which is scheduled February 26-27 in Ankara, will be discussed as well.

The delegation will then travel to Incirlik Airbase in Turkey to meet with U.S. military officials. The United States uses Incirlik Airbase to patrol the northern no-fly zone in Iraq, which was originally set up in April 1991 to protect the Kurds in northern Iraq.

The delegation will meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Robert Pearson, to discuss U.S.-Turkish cooperation with the war on terrorism and other important bilateral concerns. Wexler also plans to meet with religious leaders of the Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities.

"As a democratic and secular nation, Turkey is a model for all other Muslim nations to follow," said Wexler on Thursday. "There is no ally more strategically important to the United States in the Middle East, the Balkans and Central Asia than the Republic of Turkey."

Congressman Wexler serves on the International Relations Committee and its Subcommittees on Europe and the Middle East and South Asia. He also is the Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, seen on a giant screen, makes a speech in front of foreign ministers and delegates from European and Islamic countries during the beginning of a joint forum between in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Europe in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2002. Ministers from the OIC and the EU met in an Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus for a two-day conference to promote understanding and cooperation. The meeting is the first for ministers of the two powerful regional groupings. (AP Photo/ Burhan Ozbilici/Pool)

Turkish troops arrive to join Kabul security force
KABUL, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The first contingent of Turkish troops arrived in the Afghan capital on Saturday to join the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) tasked with maintaining security in Kabul.

Around 50 troops arrived at Kabul airport on Saturday. The remainder of its pledged 260-strong contingent is expected to fly in over the next few days.

Muslim Turkey has signaled a willingness to lead the 17-nation ISAF force after fellow NATO member Britain's three-month command is over.

The peacekeeping force backs the interim government in Kabul after U.S.-aided opposition forces overthrew the ruling Taliban.

Turkish military officials were not immediately available to provide further details of the initial deployment, but press reports said Turkey would complete its deployment within five days.

Ankara, eager to have a say in the future of Afghanistan with which it shares historic and ethnic ties, has offered Kabul aid and training to help form a national army and police force.

Turkish troops have decades of experience fighting Kurdish rebels in the country's mountainous southeast. They have also operated in Somalia and the Balkans.

Turkey also hopes its firms can secure contracts for the reconstruction of roads and other infrastructure in the shattered Central Asian country.

But in a sign of possible difficulties ahead, an observation post manned by British paratroopers came under fire from unidentified gunmen early on Saturday, the first attack on ISAF troops since they were deployed in late December.

ISAF officials said the paratroopers returned fire and evacuated the post unhurt.

Later an ISAF investigation team returned to the area and found one man dead and five injured in a nearby house, said ISAF chief of staff Colonel Richard Barons.

The attack was the first against the around 4,000 ISAF troops deployed in late December.

Turkish parliament approves human rights laws
Associated Press, February 6, 2002, ISTANBUL, Turkey - Turkey's parliament on Wednesday approved a package of measures designed to improve the country's human rights record, after opposition parties backed two government coalition parties against a partner that opposed changes.

The reforms amend Turkey's anti-sedition and anti-terrorism laws which authorities have used to jail hundreds of intellectuals and activists over the years and are intended to meet European Union membership criteria. They enshrine in law constitutional amendments that were passed last year.

The three-party ruling coalition's nationalist wing had strongly opposed far-reaching changes fearing they would encourage Kurdish activists and divide the state.

But Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's party managed to pass the changes with the rare help of opposition parties who have long called for reforms, including the Islamic Justice and Development Party whose leader Tayyip Erdogan served a four-month prison term in 1999 on charges of inciting religious hatred.

The dispute between the coalition parties was not expected to lead to a government crisis. Nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli hinted this week that he would not let the division break up the coalition.

The key disputes was over the wording of changes to clauses that bar the incitement of hatred based on race or religion, and insults directed at the state.

Bahceli had insisted on a draft that demanded jail sentences for incitement of ethnic or racial hatred where there is a "probability" of disrupting public order. Opponents argued that the wording was too broad. The amended bill imposes jail sentences in cases where there is a "danger" of public disorder.

The reforms also reduce sentences imposed on people accused of insulting of state organs, including the military and for those making propaganda deemed to be in favor of outlawed groups. They also reduce detention periods for suspects and ensures that families are immediately informed on the whereabouts of the detained.

It was not immediately clear if the approved changes meet EU criteria. Turkey became an official candidate to join the EU in 1999, but its poor human rights record is seen as a major obstacle.

Mesut Yilmaz, deputy prime minister and leader of a more liberal party in the coalition, has called for more radical changes to achieve Turkey's goal of joining the EU.

"Time is running out," Yilmaz told lawmakers Wednesday. "I hope that our partners and all the parties will in the end meet at a sensible point."

The package does not include laws to implement constitutional amendments passed last year that would permit Kurdish-language broadcasting and abolish the death penalty except for terrorism and treason. The coalition's nationalists are sensitive on both issues.