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TOP ADVISOR ZAPSU QUITS AK PARTY ADMINISTRATION BOARD
Today's Zaman
March 6 2008
Turkey
A prominent advisor to the prime minister, Cuneyd Zapsu, has left his
position on the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party)
Central Decision and Administration Board (MKYK) citing a lack of
time for his personal life.
Zapsu's resignation from his MKYK position surprised political circles,
and MKYK member Ahmet Yaþar, a former AK Party Aksaray deputy, will
reportedly succeed him. Zapsu was a founding member of the AK Party
and will retain his party membership.
Zapsu has been a controversial figure since the AK Party's
foundation. His dealings with both Turkish and non-Turkish players
have made him the target of several accusations, such as conducting
unofficial meetings with ambassadors and acting as a "shadow prime
minister." Despite the frequent criticism targeting Zapsu, he has
always been defended and favored by Erdoðan.
When the AK Party was founded early in the 2000s, Erdoðan invited
Zapsu to join the party. Zapsu had contact with many international
organizations and made maximum use of these relationships throughout
his term as an Erdoðan advisor and MKYK member.
Known as Erdoðan's right-hand man, Zapsu is commonly considered to be
one factor of Erdoðan's success as a prime minister, introducing him
to a wide array of business and political circles including Turkish
industrialists, Islamic organizations and international businessmen.
The way he made such accomplishments attracted wide criticism,
but Erdoðan has shown openly shown his support for him by publicly
praising him.
In 2006, Zapsu drew harsh criticism from political circles --
particularly the Republican People's Party (CHP) -- over statements he
made in reference to Erdoðan during a meeting with American Enterprise
Institute (AEI) officials. Zapsu had said in a speech that the US
should "use" Erdoðan. This statement sparked fierce debate in Turkey,
with the CHP harshly criticizing the government and Erdoðan.
However the prime minister backed Zapsu once more, saying he was
satisfied with Zapsu's explanation of the matter.
Zapsu also lobbied against the Armenian genocide bill pending in the
US Congress during talks with Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat speaker of
the US House of Representatives, in 2007.
Also, the German Embassy in Ankara awarded Zapsu the order of merit
of the Federal Republic of Germany -- an honor that may be awarded
in all fields of endeavor and is the highest tribute Germany can pay
to individuals for their services to the nation -- for his "excellent
efforts" in improving bilateral relations between Germany and Turkey.
Zapsu was born in 1956 and holds a degree from both a Turkish and a
German university. His father is of Kurdish origin while his mother
has roots in the Balkans. His grandfather Abdurrahim Zapsu is also
a leading Kurdish personality.
--Boundary_(ID_YxckL8ZJ2Yi3mZjbBOgQh A)--
Today's Zaman
March 6 2008
Turkey
A prominent advisor to the prime minister, Cuneyd Zapsu, has left his
position on the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party)
Central Decision and Administration Board (MKYK) citing a lack of
time for his personal life.
Zapsu's resignation from his MKYK position surprised political circles,
and MKYK member Ahmet Yaþar, a former AK Party Aksaray deputy, will
reportedly succeed him. Zapsu was a founding member of the AK Party
and will retain his party membership.
Zapsu has been a controversial figure since the AK Party's
foundation. His dealings with both Turkish and non-Turkish players
have made him the target of several accusations, such as conducting
unofficial meetings with ambassadors and acting as a "shadow prime
minister." Despite the frequent criticism targeting Zapsu, he has
always been defended and favored by Erdoðan.
When the AK Party was founded early in the 2000s, Erdoðan invited
Zapsu to join the party. Zapsu had contact with many international
organizations and made maximum use of these relationships throughout
his term as an Erdoðan advisor and MKYK member.
Known as Erdoðan's right-hand man, Zapsu is commonly considered to be
one factor of Erdoðan's success as a prime minister, introducing him
to a wide array of business and political circles including Turkish
industrialists, Islamic organizations and international businessmen.
The way he made such accomplishments attracted wide criticism,
but Erdoðan has shown openly shown his support for him by publicly
praising him.
In 2006, Zapsu drew harsh criticism from political circles --
particularly the Republican People's Party (CHP) -- over statements he
made in reference to Erdoðan during a meeting with American Enterprise
Institute (AEI) officials. Zapsu had said in a speech that the US
should "use" Erdoðan. This statement sparked fierce debate in Turkey,
with the CHP harshly criticizing the government and Erdoðan.
However the prime minister backed Zapsu once more, saying he was
satisfied with Zapsu's explanation of the matter.
Zapsu also lobbied against the Armenian genocide bill pending in the
US Congress during talks with Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat speaker of
the US House of Representatives, in 2007.
Also, the German Embassy in Ankara awarded Zapsu the order of merit
of the Federal Republic of Germany -- an honor that may be awarded
in all fields of endeavor and is the highest tribute Germany can pay
to individuals for their services to the nation -- for his "excellent
efforts" in improving bilateral relations between Germany and Turkey.
Zapsu was born in 1956 and holds a degree from both a Turkish and a
German university. His father is of Kurdish origin while his mother
has roots in the Balkans. His grandfather Abdurrahim Zapsu is also
a leading Kurdish personality.
--Boundary_(ID_YxckL8ZJ2Yi3mZjbBOgQh A)--