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The Journal of Turkish Weekly
Dec 21 2004
France's Awkward Stance in Turkey's EU Bid
France does anything possible to prevent Turkey's EU entry. Sahiner
questions the reason behind this awkward stance.
Awkward French Stance between 'National Interests' and Global Good on
Turkey's EU Bid
By Davut Sahiner (JTW), 20 December 2004
ANKARA - French did anything possible to bar start negotiations with
Turkey. They first used economy and human rights cards, then Cyprus
and Armenian issue. Despite there are hot and current issues in the
Caucasus the French politicians now 'discuss' the events happened
about a century ago. They blame modern Turkey for the Ottoman period
claiming Turks made a 'genocide' against the Armenians. Turks do not
accept these allegations, yet it is difficult for them to understand
France's attitude.
There is a strong Armenian diaspora in France (about 300.000) and
they have a great influence on French politics and media. They have
frequently made pressure over the Government and Parliament. The
French Parliament passed a law applying the word 'genocide' to the
1915 conflicts. In fact the decision was taken by about 50
parliamentarians and many French parliamentarians were been threaten
not to obstruct passing of the law. The French Government said this
was a domestic political issue, not the French Government's official
policy. The French Ambassador in Turkey, French FM and PM ensured
Ankara that French Government saw the problem as historians'
business, not the politician's. Despite all these, Turkish people
angrily protested France, and French companies' business in Turkey
was badly affected from the law. Turkish Government does not accept
'genocide allegations'. Turkish historians say there is no genocide
but mutual killings between Armenians, Kurdish and Turkish peoples.
Dr. Nilgun Gulcan from ISRO for instance says about 500.000 Muslims
were killed by the armed Armenian separatists. "There was an Armenian
riot. Armenian separatists undermined Ottoman security during the
World War I. They fanatically supported the Russian side. The
Istanbul Government had to resettle thousands of Armenians. Most of
them reached the safe places in Syria and other Ottoman States.
However some of them died due to the tribal attacks, epidemic
diseases and war circumstances. But no one can name these killings
and lost as 'genocide'. And 1915 events cannot be compared with
Holocaust or Genocide done in Algeria" added Dr. Gulcan.
The French Government avoided using the term 'genocide' until
December, 14 – just three days before Turkey and the EU agreed to
start membership talks. The French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier
used 'genocide' term first time before the summit and this was only a
small piece what Barnier and other French politicians did in order to
hinder start of membership talks with Turkey before the Summit.
French President Chirac gave a TV speech before December, 17 and
'promised' Turkey to support its EU bid. President said in his speech
that the ultimate aim of talks with Turkey would be full-membership,
not a Privileged partnership or any 'B' plan. However it was the same
Chirac who made enormous efforts to put vague terms into the Summit
Decision which could be interpreted as 'privileged partnership' or
could be used to obstruct Turkey's membership.
French News Agency AFP now reports that France says it will put all
issues to Turkey during negotiations over it Joining the EU including
that of so-called Armenian genocide. French FM Barnier told French
Radio Station RTL:
"What has to be done now is start membership negotiations which are
going to be very long, very difficult, during which we will put all
issues on the table, including that of the Armenian genocide, with
the hope of obtaining a response from Turkey before membership".
French FM means that they will do anything to prevent Turkey's
membership, and if France cannot find anything current, it will use
'history' to block the Turks. If the so-called history will not work,
he may use 'chemistry', 'mathematics', or even 'astronomy'. As Baris
Sanli, Turkish columnist, argues that "France may ask Turks to bring
a stone from the Moon to start the negotiations".
It is quite clear that France does not want Turkey in. But, why?
First of the reasons is domestic. The Armenian voters determine
French Government's Turkey policies. Second reason is German factor:
Turkey's entry is expected to strengthen Germany's role in the EU.
Turkey had good relations in the past and they never confronted in
the war arenas. Germany was the most significant partner of the
Ottoman Empire during the First World War against the French. Germans
with the Americans made enormous aid during the Cold War, while
France maintained its Turkey skeptic stance. Even the British see
benefits from Turkey's EU membership. According to Tony Blair Turkey
is the only country which can stop the civilization polarization in
the world. Blair gives a significant importance to Turkey's
acceptance to the EU. However for the French, Armenian votes and
balance of power between Germany and France are more important than a
clash of civilizations.
Turkish economy shows now better performance than Bulgaria's,
Romania's, even Hungary's, Poland's and Slovakia's economies. Turkish
democracy is still fragile, but it rapidly develops, and the EU
membership will be a clear guarantee for democracy and pluralism in
Turkey. It can be argued that the EU leaders have very little tool to
prevent Turkey's EU membership. That's why they must find fake
reasons if they want to prevent Turkey's entry, like the past.
However it should be noted that if you use 'history card', you should
be innocent enough. Otherwise others will have the right to question
your history and your past mistakes. And France is not innocent
enough to do so.
AFP says "France to Grill Turkey on All Issues for EU Bid". It should
be remembered if France "grills Turkey", Europe's future will be
'grilled' as well.
--Boundary_(ID_nU/WhuBPA5LGUDijiQPN6Q)--
Dec 21 2004
France's Awkward Stance in Turkey's EU Bid
France does anything possible to prevent Turkey's EU entry. Sahiner
questions the reason behind this awkward stance.
Awkward French Stance between 'National Interests' and Global Good on
Turkey's EU Bid
By Davut Sahiner (JTW), 20 December 2004
ANKARA - French did anything possible to bar start negotiations with
Turkey. They first used economy and human rights cards, then Cyprus
and Armenian issue. Despite there are hot and current issues in the
Caucasus the French politicians now 'discuss' the events happened
about a century ago. They blame modern Turkey for the Ottoman period
claiming Turks made a 'genocide' against the Armenians. Turks do not
accept these allegations, yet it is difficult for them to understand
France's attitude.
There is a strong Armenian diaspora in France (about 300.000) and
they have a great influence on French politics and media. They have
frequently made pressure over the Government and Parliament. The
French Parliament passed a law applying the word 'genocide' to the
1915 conflicts. In fact the decision was taken by about 50
parliamentarians and many French parliamentarians were been threaten
not to obstruct passing of the law. The French Government said this
was a domestic political issue, not the French Government's official
policy. The French Ambassador in Turkey, French FM and PM ensured
Ankara that French Government saw the problem as historians'
business, not the politician's. Despite all these, Turkish people
angrily protested France, and French companies' business in Turkey
was badly affected from the law. Turkish Government does not accept
'genocide allegations'. Turkish historians say there is no genocide
but mutual killings between Armenians, Kurdish and Turkish peoples.
Dr. Nilgun Gulcan from ISRO for instance says about 500.000 Muslims
were killed by the armed Armenian separatists. "There was an Armenian
riot. Armenian separatists undermined Ottoman security during the
World War I. They fanatically supported the Russian side. The
Istanbul Government had to resettle thousands of Armenians. Most of
them reached the safe places in Syria and other Ottoman States.
However some of them died due to the tribal attacks, epidemic
diseases and war circumstances. But no one can name these killings
and lost as 'genocide'. And 1915 events cannot be compared with
Holocaust or Genocide done in Algeria" added Dr. Gulcan.
The French Government avoided using the term 'genocide' until
December, 14 – just three days before Turkey and the EU agreed to
start membership talks. The French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier
used 'genocide' term first time before the summit and this was only a
small piece what Barnier and other French politicians did in order to
hinder start of membership talks with Turkey before the Summit.
French President Chirac gave a TV speech before December, 17 and
'promised' Turkey to support its EU bid. President said in his speech
that the ultimate aim of talks with Turkey would be full-membership,
not a Privileged partnership or any 'B' plan. However it was the same
Chirac who made enormous efforts to put vague terms into the Summit
Decision which could be interpreted as 'privileged partnership' or
could be used to obstruct Turkey's membership.
French News Agency AFP now reports that France says it will put all
issues to Turkey during negotiations over it Joining the EU including
that of so-called Armenian genocide. French FM Barnier told French
Radio Station RTL:
"What has to be done now is start membership negotiations which are
going to be very long, very difficult, during which we will put all
issues on the table, including that of the Armenian genocide, with
the hope of obtaining a response from Turkey before membership".
French FM means that they will do anything to prevent Turkey's
membership, and if France cannot find anything current, it will use
'history' to block the Turks. If the so-called history will not work,
he may use 'chemistry', 'mathematics', or even 'astronomy'. As Baris
Sanli, Turkish columnist, argues that "France may ask Turks to bring
a stone from the Moon to start the negotiations".
It is quite clear that France does not want Turkey in. But, why?
First of the reasons is domestic. The Armenian voters determine
French Government's Turkey policies. Second reason is German factor:
Turkey's entry is expected to strengthen Germany's role in the EU.
Turkey had good relations in the past and they never confronted in
the war arenas. Germany was the most significant partner of the
Ottoman Empire during the First World War against the French. Germans
with the Americans made enormous aid during the Cold War, while
France maintained its Turkey skeptic stance. Even the British see
benefits from Turkey's EU membership. According to Tony Blair Turkey
is the only country which can stop the civilization polarization in
the world. Blair gives a significant importance to Turkey's
acceptance to the EU. However for the French, Armenian votes and
balance of power between Germany and France are more important than a
clash of civilizations.
Turkish economy shows now better performance than Bulgaria's,
Romania's, even Hungary's, Poland's and Slovakia's economies. Turkish
democracy is still fragile, but it rapidly develops, and the EU
membership will be a clear guarantee for democracy and pluralism in
Turkey. It can be argued that the EU leaders have very little tool to
prevent Turkey's EU membership. That's why they must find fake
reasons if they want to prevent Turkey's entry, like the past.
However it should be noted that if you use 'history card', you should
be innocent enough. Otherwise others will have the right to question
your history and your past mistakes. And France is not innocent
enough to do so.
AFP says "France to Grill Turkey on All Issues for EU Bid". It should
be remembered if France "grills Turkey", Europe's future will be
'grilled' as well.
--Boundary_(ID_nU/WhuBPA5LGUDijiQPN6Q)--