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'IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF TURKEY'S EU PROCESS DIDN'T COMPLETE ITSELF'
By Ali H. Aslan
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 3 2005
zaman.com
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs Matthew J. Bryza shared Washington's views with Zaman prior
to Turkey's critical European Union (EU) negotiations.
Underlining that the beginning of the negotiations has great importance
with regard to the continuation of the reform process that dated back
to the administrative reforms of 1839 (Tanzimat Edict), Bryza said,
"It would be a shame if that process didn't complete itself. But I
think it will."
Bryza also discussed recent high-level diplomatic traffic between
Washington and Ankara: 'We have decided that we want to do everything
to restore sense of partnership in US-Turkey relations' He explained
why Turkey's integration with the EU mattered for the US, "Why that
matters to us, frankly is that, we believe that the prospect of
membership in the EU encourages TR to take very difficult decisions
that make TR a stronger and more reliable partner for us both in
terms of diplomacy and economics as well as in a broader sense, in a
broader social-cultural sense as an inspiration for others who search
for same sorts of freedoms Turks enjoy."
Reminding that the process of modernizing reforms in Turkey had a
history that dated back to the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid period of the
1840s, then continued with the Ataturk reforms and the foundation of
the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and gained momentum during President
of the Republic Turgut Ozal's period, Bryza indicated that the reform
process has really increased recently as Turkey strives to attain EU
membership. He said, "So, if you look at that historical progression,
Turkey's full incorporation to the European family is an ongoing
process and we need to complete it together."
Bryza defended that "privileged partnership," which Austria wants
inserted into the negotiation framework document, is not strong enough
to make Turkey take decisions which are "politically difficult"
and emphasized, "We have long thought that it is the prospect of
absolutely full inclusion in Europe that provides the best incentive
for Turkey to stick with that process."
This is appropriate for the long run, Bryza said. "What we care about
is that Turkey feels sufficient motivation to undertake very difficult
reforms that are groundbreaking and truly historical in nature. So the
point is make sure we all provide Turkey with the sufficient incentives
to take decisions that are politically difficult but ultimately in
the long run interest of Turkey as well as other European friends."
"So, the important thing is everybody focuses primarily on strategic
gains rather than tactical maneuvering," he continued.
When asked, "What is your view of the EU counter-declaration on
Turkey? Do you find it a fair and balanced document?" Bryza replied,
"It's up to TR to decide whether it's fair and balanced. But I can
just say that I am convinced that our friends in the EU especially
under the current leadership of the UK presidency completely understand
how important it is to continue that process of Turkey's anchoring in
Europe. I think all of the parties understand that. The Greeks,. GR
Cypriots, the Brits, the Austrians, the Germans, the French, everybody
understands the strategic importance of that process continuing."
'Our friends in the EU completely understand how important it is to
continue that process of Turkey's anchoring in Europe'
Bryza noted that everybody including the Austrians, Greeks, Cypriot
Greeks, the British, Germans, and the French realizes the strategic
importance of continuing the "process of Turkey anchoring in Europe".
However, he commented: "What is not clear how much any one state
would like for technical reasons to try to squeeze a little bit more
out of the negotiation process."
Recently, Greek Cyprus, which wants to receive certain concessions
from Turkey, is leading EU countries. Bryza did not want to become
involved in the polemics on whether or not the counter declaration,
which established the recognition of Greek Cyprus as a condition to
Turkey, was a "fair and balanced" document.
In response to Zaman's question asking what else the US could do in
order to convince Greek Cyprus on a solution for the island, as they
already regularly send messages relating to their official position.
Bryza noted that they perceived the UN Secretary-General Annan's
plan as "the most hopeful proposal ever put out there for a just and
lasting settlement" and they would maintain their "absolute undying
support". He said: "So it seems only logical therefore that our friends
on the Greek Cypriot side of the island and Rep of Cyprus would specify
what they don't like about the plan and allow the negotiations to
continue. That's what Secretary General has said this is requirement
for his reengagement. So we stand fully supportive of him and hope
that that is the next step. And once that happens, yes, of course the
US will be fully supportive of and as engaged as we ever have had,
which is pretty engaged." Indicating that the US will maintain its
efforts to soften isolations on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC), Bryza informed that they could pump economic assistance into
small and medium size enterprises and launch initiatives to facilitate
the direct sale of TRNC products. As for direct flights by US planes
to the Turkish Cypriot side, he said that such arrangements should
be commercially available and this seemed more possible for Europeans
rather than US air transporters.
Bryza commented on the European Parliament's (EP) call for Turkey
to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide. "I would suggest that
our friends in Turkey don't worry so much about those statements of
political opinion but instead also remain focused on the historical
significance of the beginning the accession talks."
The US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary pointed out that
such decisions were meaningful as long as they were internalized
by the European Commission and the Council of Europe, but this has
not happened.
Conveying the US perspective on the issue, Bryza urged: "Our position
is that, the characterization events of 1915, the horrible killings
and forced relocation and exile that occurred in 1915, which is
an issue to be more properly decided by deep introspection that's
not political. So it's not politicians alone that should grabble
with these facts. And a political decision should not determine
how we characterize those events. It's deeply thoughtful people,
common people, and academics and all sorts of intellectuals, writers,
screenwriters, and philosophers need to think these things through. A
political decision shouldn't determine what happened in 1915."
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State expressed his opinions on
the decisions of the European Union (EU) and its relative political
organs regarding Turkey, with particular effort to avoid giving the
image of interfering in the internal affairs of European countries.
The decisions are taken in the EU and Turkey needs to meet the
requirements set out by the EU in order to become a part of the EU
club, emphasized Bryza while making frequent expressions of admiration
for EU term president Britain.
"I don't know," he replied in response to our question, "Do you think
Turkey can really play a role in preventing clash of civilizations?"
emphasizing the US tendency to have different opinions regarding such
matters. "I think Turkey can play an important in inspiring people
within societies in the immediate region where Turkey finds itself.
Those regions are both Europe and Middle East. Not just the Middle
East, not just Europe, but both. That's what so unique about Turkey.
Turkey is simultaneously a European country, a Middle Eastern country,
a Balkans country, a Caucasus country, all these things at the same
time. So Turkey matters in its ability to inspire people in all those
regions who seek to find a way to advance democratic reform often
with predominantly Muslim populations, but not exclusively. So I am
not talking about a clash between civilizations, I am talking about
movements within all sorts of civilizations," he commented.
By Ali H. Aslan
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 3 2005
zaman.com
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs Matthew J. Bryza shared Washington's views with Zaman prior
to Turkey's critical European Union (EU) negotiations.
Underlining that the beginning of the negotiations has great importance
with regard to the continuation of the reform process that dated back
to the administrative reforms of 1839 (Tanzimat Edict), Bryza said,
"It would be a shame if that process didn't complete itself. But I
think it will."
Bryza also discussed recent high-level diplomatic traffic between
Washington and Ankara: 'We have decided that we want to do everything
to restore sense of partnership in US-Turkey relations' He explained
why Turkey's integration with the EU mattered for the US, "Why that
matters to us, frankly is that, we believe that the prospect of
membership in the EU encourages TR to take very difficult decisions
that make TR a stronger and more reliable partner for us both in
terms of diplomacy and economics as well as in a broader sense, in a
broader social-cultural sense as an inspiration for others who search
for same sorts of freedoms Turks enjoy."
Reminding that the process of modernizing reforms in Turkey had a
history that dated back to the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid period of the
1840s, then continued with the Ataturk reforms and the foundation of
the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and gained momentum during President
of the Republic Turgut Ozal's period, Bryza indicated that the reform
process has really increased recently as Turkey strives to attain EU
membership. He said, "So, if you look at that historical progression,
Turkey's full incorporation to the European family is an ongoing
process and we need to complete it together."
Bryza defended that "privileged partnership," which Austria wants
inserted into the negotiation framework document, is not strong enough
to make Turkey take decisions which are "politically difficult"
and emphasized, "We have long thought that it is the prospect of
absolutely full inclusion in Europe that provides the best incentive
for Turkey to stick with that process."
This is appropriate for the long run, Bryza said. "What we care about
is that Turkey feels sufficient motivation to undertake very difficult
reforms that are groundbreaking and truly historical in nature. So the
point is make sure we all provide Turkey with the sufficient incentives
to take decisions that are politically difficult but ultimately in
the long run interest of Turkey as well as other European friends."
"So, the important thing is everybody focuses primarily on strategic
gains rather than tactical maneuvering," he continued.
When asked, "What is your view of the EU counter-declaration on
Turkey? Do you find it a fair and balanced document?" Bryza replied,
"It's up to TR to decide whether it's fair and balanced. But I can
just say that I am convinced that our friends in the EU especially
under the current leadership of the UK presidency completely understand
how important it is to continue that process of Turkey's anchoring in
Europe. I think all of the parties understand that. The Greeks,. GR
Cypriots, the Brits, the Austrians, the Germans, the French, everybody
understands the strategic importance of that process continuing."
'Our friends in the EU completely understand how important it is to
continue that process of Turkey's anchoring in Europe'
Bryza noted that everybody including the Austrians, Greeks, Cypriot
Greeks, the British, Germans, and the French realizes the strategic
importance of continuing the "process of Turkey anchoring in Europe".
However, he commented: "What is not clear how much any one state
would like for technical reasons to try to squeeze a little bit more
out of the negotiation process."
Recently, Greek Cyprus, which wants to receive certain concessions
from Turkey, is leading EU countries. Bryza did not want to become
involved in the polemics on whether or not the counter declaration,
which established the recognition of Greek Cyprus as a condition to
Turkey, was a "fair and balanced" document.
In response to Zaman's question asking what else the US could do in
order to convince Greek Cyprus on a solution for the island, as they
already regularly send messages relating to their official position.
Bryza noted that they perceived the UN Secretary-General Annan's
plan as "the most hopeful proposal ever put out there for a just and
lasting settlement" and they would maintain their "absolute undying
support". He said: "So it seems only logical therefore that our friends
on the Greek Cypriot side of the island and Rep of Cyprus would specify
what they don't like about the plan and allow the negotiations to
continue. That's what Secretary General has said this is requirement
for his reengagement. So we stand fully supportive of him and hope
that that is the next step. And once that happens, yes, of course the
US will be fully supportive of and as engaged as we ever have had,
which is pretty engaged." Indicating that the US will maintain its
efforts to soften isolations on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC), Bryza informed that they could pump economic assistance into
small and medium size enterprises and launch initiatives to facilitate
the direct sale of TRNC products. As for direct flights by US planes
to the Turkish Cypriot side, he said that such arrangements should
be commercially available and this seemed more possible for Europeans
rather than US air transporters.
Bryza commented on the European Parliament's (EP) call for Turkey
to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide. "I would suggest that
our friends in Turkey don't worry so much about those statements of
political opinion but instead also remain focused on the historical
significance of the beginning the accession talks."
The US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary pointed out that
such decisions were meaningful as long as they were internalized
by the European Commission and the Council of Europe, but this has
not happened.
Conveying the US perspective on the issue, Bryza urged: "Our position
is that, the characterization events of 1915, the horrible killings
and forced relocation and exile that occurred in 1915, which is
an issue to be more properly decided by deep introspection that's
not political. So it's not politicians alone that should grabble
with these facts. And a political decision should not determine
how we characterize those events. It's deeply thoughtful people,
common people, and academics and all sorts of intellectuals, writers,
screenwriters, and philosophers need to think these things through. A
political decision shouldn't determine what happened in 1915."
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State expressed his opinions on
the decisions of the European Union (EU) and its relative political
organs regarding Turkey, with particular effort to avoid giving the
image of interfering in the internal affairs of European countries.
The decisions are taken in the EU and Turkey needs to meet the
requirements set out by the EU in order to become a part of the EU
club, emphasized Bryza while making frequent expressions of admiration
for EU term president Britain.
"I don't know," he replied in response to our question, "Do you think
Turkey can really play a role in preventing clash of civilizations?"
emphasizing the US tendency to have different opinions regarding such
matters. "I think Turkey can play an important in inspiring people
within societies in the immediate region where Turkey finds itself.
Those regions are both Europe and Middle East. Not just the Middle
East, not just Europe, but both. That's what so unique about Turkey.
Turkey is simultaneously a European country, a Middle Eastern country,
a Balkans country, a Caucasus country, all these things at the same
time. So Turkey matters in its ability to inspire people in all those
regions who seek to find a way to advance democratic reform often
with predominantly Muslim populations, but not exclusively. So I am
not talking about a clash between civilizations, I am talking about
movements within all sorts of civilizations," he commented.