Bahceli: It is impossible for Turkey to look favorably upon 'cultural' and 'ethnic' rights
which will only serve to fan the flames of ethnic conflict and discrimination
Yilmaz: The real threat to the unity of the nation is the broadcasting and
brainwashing of millions of our citizens by separatist organizations because the state
does not provide an alternative
Yilmaz stressed the reason for certain provisions in the document being exaggerated
was that Turkey was still insincere in its bid to join the EU. 'Nobody in this country
with an atom of love for Ataturk should darken the EU horizon'
 

Nov 15, 2000
Ankara - TDN Parliament Bureau

Despite the coalition government announcing that it accepts the Accession Partnership
Document, with the exception of the provisions on Cyprus, the differing views held by the
coalition's two right-wing partners, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the
Motherland Party (ANAP), regarding the document have surfaced.

Of note is the difference in viewpoint held by both party leaders regarding the provisions on
native language radio and television broadcasts. MHP leader and Deputy Prime Minister
Devlet Bahceli is voicing strong objections to the issue, whereas ANAP leader and deputy
prime minister for EU affairs Mesut Yilmaz has given the go-ahead for Kurdish
broadcasting.

Bahceli used strong words and voiced harsh criticisms when explaining his views on the
document. "The message conveyed in the document vis-a-vis the future of Turkish-EU
relations is, unfortunately, far from satisfactory," he said. "The basic reason for this is the
document gives us cause to doubt the sincerity of the European Commission."

Yilmaz stated that apart from the provisions on financing and Cyprus, the document
contained nothing to distress Turkey and that on the whole he was pleased with the
document. "The document asks nothing of us we cannot do or will reject out of hand. The
only two issues of bother to us are Cyprus and financial cooperation," he said.

Cyprus

Speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting yesterday, Bahceli said the contents
and the mechanics of the Accession Partnership Document were "a step backwards" after
the decisions taken at the Helsinki summit. He stated that certain EU spokesmen had been
trying to play down the text of the document but they could never change the facts.

Noting that at Helsinki the balance between Turkey and Greece had been upset and that
the Cyprus issue had been introduced as a precondition, Bahceli said: "It should not be
forgotten that the new approach, which does not even recognize the decisions taken at
Helsinki, serves not as a solution but as a means of making the issue more intractable.
You are all witness to my saying I can in no way accept this approach and I condemn it."

Bahceli said that as well as introducing the resolution of the Cyprus issue as a
precondition, it was obvious they were trying to pave the way for Greek Cyprus to become
a full member of the European Union. "It is impossible not to look for any ulterior motives
here," he said.

Addressing his own parliamentary group, Yilmaz also said that at Helsinki it had been
decided to strongly support having the Cyprus issue discussed in a political dialogue under
the auspices of the United Nations and that Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader and Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit had openly said he would not condone linking EU membership to the
Cyprus issue. Yilmaz remarked that the Finnish Foreign Minister, then carrying the EU
presidency, had given a written assurance to this effect and that the Accession Partnership
Document gives a totally cosmetic concession to Greece. Pointing out there was a
discrepancy between what is expected of Turkey and the funds supposed to be available to
help, Yilmaz maintained the document's chapter on financing had disturbed Turkey.

Kurdish broadcasting

Bahceli told his party that the document contained some twisted and vague expressions
such as "cultural rights" and "differences in origin," which were insisted upon. Bahceli said
attempts to underline critical issues that continue to form the bases for conflict in many EU
countries was not a friendly approach. "I want to say that we will not accept them forcing
upon us as prerequisites regulations that no democratic system would tolerate and that no
social fabric would be able to abolish."

Bahceli point out that even those countries of Europe where regional problems had been
significantly reduced and where democracy and national development were well advanced
had approached the issue on the basis of political equality and common national culture.
He said that because of this it was impossible to understand why they were demanding
minority rights in Turkey, which had been fighting separatist and destructive activities for
many years now.

"In such a situation it is impossible to say that the commission is adopting a
well-intentioned approach," said Bahceli. "It is impossible for Turkey to look favorably upon
'cultural' and 'ethnic rights' which will only serve to fan the flames of ethnic conflict and
discrimination. In addition, attempts to gloss over these kinds of expressions in the
document will not alter the facts of the matter."

Yilmaz, for his part, pointed out that during negotiations with the EU prior to the document
being issued, it had been made clear that Turkey would not accept any definition of minority
not covered by the Lausanne Treaty and that Turkey had certain reservations on the
minorities issue. He also explained how it had been made clear that rights pertaining to
individual ethnic groups would not be acceptable to Turkey. "It was with happiness that we
saw the document had taken into account all our sensitivities and reservations. It does not
talk about any minority. What is asked of Turkey is published in the document not directed
specifically at any one religious or ethnic group, but as the fundamental rights of all Turkish
citizens. There is no serious point that could disturb us."

Yilmaz mentioned that the document calls on Turkey to lift certain regulations and to allow
Turkish citizens to better benefit from TV and radio broadcasts. He added that there was
no question of asking Turkey to allow special channels as such channels did not even exist
in some EU member countries.

Yilmaz stated that Turkey was being asked to address any need felt by Turkish citizens for
TV and radio broadcasts in their native language. "How can we do this? We will sit down
and discuss it. We have not taken any decision," said Yilmaz. He said that of course
Turkey's territorial unity and integrity would be preserved but the need felt by citizens for TV
broadcasts in their own native language could be addressed. "We have not yet discussed
how we are going to do this," said Yilmaz. "I do not want to make any statement that will be
binding on the other coalition partners but we are in favor of doing this."

Yilmaz did point out that a significant number of citizens were using satellite dishes to tune
into to separatist propaganda because there was no native language broadcasting. "Do we
condone this? If the state is happy with this situation, then let it continue. If the state is not
happy with this situation, we should meet the needs of our citizens," he said.

Yilmaz stated they would never accept any formula that constituted a threat to the unity and
integrity of Turkey and continued: "However, in my opinion, the real threat is the
perpetuation of the current situation. The real threat to the unity of the nation is the
broadcasting and brainwashing of millions of our citizens by separatist organizations.
Unfortunately, we cannot prevent this through fines and bans because of advances in
technology. The state should use its mind and see that we have no other way of preserving
our values."

Yilmaz agreed that there could well be differences of opinion among the coalition partners
on this point but said that the coalition government was in accord over accepting the
Helsinki declaration and the Accession Partnership Document. "I am sure they will see eye
to eye over its application, too," said Yilmaz.

Yilmaz likened Turkey's relations with the EU to date to a man who does not dive straight
into a swimming pool but instead dips his toes into the water to test the temperature. "From
now on, when we enter the pool, we must not just stand in it, we have to swim in it, too," he
added. "And not just swim, we have to race with the other swimmers."

Yilmaz stressed the reason for certain provisions in the document being exaggerated was
that Turkey was still insincere in its bid to join the EU. "Nobody in this country with an atom
of love for Ataturk should darken the EU horizon," he concluded.
**********************
The Kurdistan Observer
www.kurdistanobserver.com

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